WOMEN’S HEALTH WISDOM COMMON DISEASES AMONG WOMEN Women, as the main agents of primary health care, play an essential role in maintaining family and community health. They are the nurturers and caretakers of the young, the old, and the sick and they exert an important influence on health habits in the family. Taking good care of their health through a well-balanced diet and adequate nutrition is, therefore, important for the society as a whole. Common health conditions affecting women usually relate to their reproductive organs, hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause, and conditions relating to the bones and joints. Sufficient bone density is needed to prevent osteoporosis. Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men, particularly after menopause. Adequate store of folic acid is essential for fertility and foetal development. Iron deficiency is a major cause of low haemoglobin levels and anaemia in women. A healthy waistline lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Women must also load up on the nutrients that are essential to prevent chronic diseases in the future. • Get enough sleep, which is usually about 7-8 hours. • Plan your daily menu around fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. • Lose weight sensibly with a balanced diet and regular exercise, not fad diets. • Take time for personal, intellectual or creative pursuits that you find relaxing. • Be aware of your personal habits that increase your chances for illness and injury. Anaemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin. Women in the childbearing years are particularly susceptible to iron-deficient anaemia because of the blood loss from menstruation and the increased blood supply demands during pregnancy. Anaemia ANAEMIA NORMAL • Get at least 30 minutes of heart-pumping exercise most days of the week. • Work with your health care provider to get the check-ups and screenings right for your age and health issues. • Watch out for depression; if emotions are keeping you down, get help. • Increase self-awareness about your body to notice changes that might warrant a call to your health care provider. • Protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. 75
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