This year women continue to make noise for gender equality.
I was a football fan at the age of 13. I never thought that women would become commentators for NFL games.
Women continue to break barriers and open doors that solidify opportunities for girls in the future. Awareness of health risks and actions to improve is another barrier to tear down.
Here are the top five health risks for women and how to reduce them:
Depression. Twelve million women suffer from depression. Some symptoms of depression are sadness, restlessness, and lack of energy. Reduce your risk by developing strong relationships and connections. Having a sense of purpose through work or organizations stimulates my mind and keeps me energized.
Breast Cancer. Women are at risk at any age. Factors could be heredity, race, medication, excessive alcohol, or obesity. Reduce risks through weight control. Don’t smoke and if you do, quit. Exercise and have regular mammograms.
Heart Disease. Heart disease is responsible for 29% of deaths in women. You are at risk if you smoke, have high cholesterol, or have high blood pressure. Women who are physically inactive, obese, and have diabetes are also at risk. Reduce your risk by modifying your life to include a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
Autoimmune Diseases. There are many types of autoimmune diseases. Each is unique but some common symptoms are fatigue, dizziness, and low-grade fever. An autoimmune disease develops when your immune system decides that healthy cells are foreign cells. In its effort to protect, the immune system begins to attack healthy cells. Autoimmune diseases like Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis may be hereditary but other factors may also trigger this disease. Reduce your risk by sanitizing your hands, avoiding people who are sick, and getting necessary vaccinations.
Osteoporosis. A disease where bones become weak and easy to break, osteoporosis is a higher risk for women than men. After menopause, the risks are greater because we produce less estrogen, the hormone that’s designed to protect our bones. Symptoms are loss of height or slumped posture, back pain, and frequent bone breaks. Reduce your risk by having adequate calcium consumption and weight-bearing physical activity.
Health like all other strides and advancements must be a priority. The future is bright for women. I have already witnessed my granddaughter’s basketball team play and win against an all-boys basketball team. The world is changing and we will continue to fight against risks that try to hold us back.
