Women’s health is different as you age. We can take simple steps to improve or maintain our health at any age, if we have been sidetracked by the many things women juggle, such as careers, raising kids, maintaining family relationships, caring for elderly people, etc.
Vaccines: keep up-to-date
Vaccines don’t only apply to children. As we age, it’s important to keep up with our routine vaccinations. Vaccines protect us from catching and spreading diseases that are largely avoidable. Common vaccines you may need can include:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Human papillomavirus vaccine
- MMR vaccine – Measles mumps rubella
- Meningococcal disease vaccine (MenB).
- Influenza (flu) shot
- Respiratory syncytial Virus (RSV).
- The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (diphtheria and whooping-cough) as well as diphtheria.
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
- The shingles ( ) vaccine
She says that women must keep up with their immunizations no matter what their age. A primary care provider will recommend the right vaccine schedule for you based on age and risk factors. This includes yearly flu shots.
Get cancer screenings and know your risk
Women’s health is dependent on cancer screenings. Screenings are important because they can detect precancerous polyps, tumors, or cells before symptoms develop. When cancer symptoms first appear, the cancer may already have spread or grown, making treatment more difficult.
The age at which you start cancer screenings is based on the type of cancer in your family and whether or not it has been present before. If your mother or grandmother suffered from breast cancer, then you might need to get your first Mammogram before the age of 40. colonoscopy is the same. If a relative in your first degree had colorectal carcinoma, you might need to begin screening earlier than 45.
Talk to your doctor about cancer screenings, which can include:
- Cervical cancer screening: A Pap test or Pap smear can be used to screen for cervical cancer. Women between the ages of 21 and 65 can have Pap tests. The frequency of a Pap smear is determined by your age, your health history and the results from your last Pap test or HPV.
- Breast cancer: Mammograms for women with an average risk of developing breast cancer are recommended starting at the age of 40. Talk to your doctor about scheduling a diagnostic mammogram if you suspect you may be experiencing any symptoms. Discuss with your doctor your breast-cancer risk factors in order to determine if you should begin mammograms earlier.
- Colorectal Cancer: Women with an average risk for colorectal carcinoma should have their first colonoscopy at 45 years old. Women who have a history of colorectal or inflammatory bowel diseases , such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), are at higher risk. They may need their first screening earlier. Your doctor will recommend a schedule that is right for you.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that people who meet the following criteria undergo a yearly screening for lung cancer with a low dose CT scan:
- A pack-year is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day on average for an entire year. Smoking two packs per day for ten years, or one pack per day for twenty years will get you to 20 pack-years.
- Smoke or have you quit smoking in the past 15 years?
- Between 50 and 80 years of age
Practice healthy habits
It is important to take care of yourself, especially as you age. Self-care is important. Self-care is not the popular definition of the term, which includes baths, massages and scented candles, but rather the World Health Organization’s: “The ability for individuals, families, and communities to promote and maintain health and cope with illness or disability, with or without support from a health worker.”
Self-care is all about taking the right actions to maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit over the long term. This includes eating a balanced meal, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and maintaining regular health checks and screenings. Self-care can include activities that promote our mental and emotional health. These actions may include prioritizing sleep, engaging in a relaxing hobby or maintaining relationships with family and friends, meditating and attending religious services.
Balance your diet
What is a balanced diet, exactly? What is a balanced diet? Mediterranean Diet with its plant based and anti inflammatory effects meets all of the criteria for the American Heart Association’s recommendations for a healthy diet.
Move your body throughout the day
The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association agree that 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week is necessary to maintain good health. This is about 2.5 hours of exercise per week. For adults, the American Heart Association recommends that you do moderate-to-high intensity resistance training at least twice a week.
It can be difficult for some people to get out and about, whether it’s due to a lack of time, mobility problems or joint discomfort. All exercise is better than no exercise low-impact exercises or high intensity interval training are both beneficial.
Finding an activity that you enjoy will help you to build a routine. If you haven’t been active, start small and gradually increase your activity level. This will help to prevent injury.
Get quality sleep
It is important to get enough sleep in order to maintain a healthy mood, blood sugar level and immune system. It is important to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. This means going to sleep and waking up the same time each day. You should consult your doctor if you’re having difficulty sleeping. Sleep apnea and perimenopause are common causes.
Stay up to date with your health care
Men are stereotyped as needing to be constantly prodded into getting their regular health checkups. Women can also be guilty of neglecting their own health by caring for others.
“Women are often concerned about others at the cost of their own well-being,” . We says that women who prioritize their health and well-being will not only live longer but also live a better life.
Finding a primary health care provider for routine checkups, is crucial to maintaining overall health. This is especially true as we age.
We says that working with your provider to maintain your blood pressure cholesterol and your blood sugar in a range can lower your risk of heart disease and conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes. Avoiding bad habits like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and drug use can help to prevent chronic diseases.