May 9, 2024 – National Women’s Health Month and Mother’s Day, both celebrated in May, remind women that they can take control of their health by making viable lifestyle choices and focusing on preventive care and mental health. It’s an important day. Encourage the mothers and other special women in your life to make wise choices to live their healthiest lives with these tips.
Focus on a healthy lifestyle. According to the Office on Women’s Health, while some women may need vitamins, minerals, and other supplements at certain times in their lives, such as before or during pregnancy, most women , you need to get essential nutrients from what you eat and drink. . Simple tips to improve your eating habits include eating more vegetables, snacking on fruit more often, and cooking more meals each week. Regular physical activity (exercise) helps lower the risk of many diseases that affect women, such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, the American Cancer Society’s current nutritional and physical activity guidelines for cancer prevention emphasize maintaining a healthy weight through all stages of life and encourage a physically active lifestyle at all ages. Focuses on healthy eating patterns. It is recommended to consume nutrient-dense foods such as a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and to minimize highly processed sugar-containing foods and beverages.
Take care of your sexual and reproductive health. Annual exams with a gynecologist help women manage their gynecological health and prevent possible complications, so it’s important to stick to the annual exam schedule. Women should always be aware of any unusual signs or symptoms that should be evaluated by a health care provider, such as pain or pressure in the pelvic area, unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, frequent abdominal bloating or swelling, or pain in the genital area. there is. It won’t heal. Encourage the women in your life to be as proactive as possible about their gynecological health. These may be uncomfortable topics to discuss with your health care professional, but by talking openly about your gynecological health, you can not only discuss preventive measures, but also discover potential problems sooner and ensure treatment. It often becomes easier.
Get the latest information on important screenings. Some people may think that colorectal cancer is a men’s disease, but women are at risk as well. Several tests are available to detect polyps and colorectal cancer early, including stool tests and colonoscopies. In general, the American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screening for men and women starting at age 45. Breast cancer, in addition to skin cancer, is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. Fortunately, it is also one of the most treatable diseases if caught early. One of the best ways to tackle this disease is through early detection and screening with mammography, which can detect breast cancer before any signs or symptoms appear. Talk to your health care provider about when to start cancer screening and the frequency of screening that is best for you. Book your mammogram here.
Prioritize your mental health. Mental disorders affect women and men differently. Some disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, are more common in women, while certain disorders, such as perinatal depression, are unique to women. Common symptoms of mental disorders include persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, noticeable changes in mood, energy, or appetite, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, changes in appetite or weight, misuse of alcohol and/or drugs, Decreased energy or fatigue, anger or irritability, and/or social withdrawal. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek help, seek mental health services, and know that you are not alone.
Suzanne Spernal, DNP, APN-BC, RNC-OB, CBC, is senior vice president of women’s health at RWJBarnabas Health.
What better gift than the gift of health? RWJBarnabas Health offers a full range of women’s health services, from routine care to advanced surgical and diagnostic procedures. For more information: www.rwjbh.org/womenshealth
