Women's Top Health Threats

The top threats to women's health are mostly preventable by way of simple preventive measures. Take steps to make yourself healthier with the following top solutions against the leading causes of death in the United States.

Heart disease
Recognized as the leading cause of death among men, recent studies have shown that it has the same reputation when it comes to women's health. The good news is, prevention of heart disease is fairly simple. Here's how:

- Avoid smoking and steer clear of secondhand smoke.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make it a habit to exercise and incorporate as much healthy foods in your diet as possible.
- Cut back on foods high in saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol.
- Don’t let up on your medications. If you have high blood pressure, follow your physician's advice and recommendations.
- Drink in moderation. Too much booze could kill you.
- Practice stress management, stress can elevate your high blood pressure which leads to complications associated with heart disease.

Cancer
With lung cancer ranking high on the list of cancers that kill women, it is important to know the steps to keeping your lungs healthy. Second on the list is breast cancer, followed by colorectal cancer. Reduce your risk for these diseases by taking the following steps:

- Don’t smoke and don’t use tobacco products. Again, stay away from being exposed to secondhand smoke.
- Exercise regularly and maintain proper diet. Maintain your ideal weight by eating foods that are rich in various minerals and vitamins.
- Use sunscreen. Try not to expose yourself too much to the sun's rays.
- Avoid exposing yourself to carcinogens. There are carcinogenic foods and substances that you might be ingesting on a daily basis. Avoid radiation and air pollutants.

Stroke
Stroke may run in your family but there are simple steps to avoid developing this neurological condition. Do the following:
- Follow a healthy lifestyle. Don’t smoke and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Eat healthy and incorporate all the necessary nutrients to make your body healthy in your daily meals. Avoid high-fat, high-caloric foods which are packed with saturated fats and cholesterol. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Most of all, keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.
- If you also have diabetes, regardless of the type, follow your doctor's prescription. Always keep your blood sugar level under control.
- Keep away from alcoholic beverages. Whenever you drink, drink only in moderation.

Chronic obstruction pulmonary diseases or OCPD
COPD is a group of chronic lung conditions. Special measures to keep your lungs healthy must be put in place.
- Avoid smoke and kick out the habit of smoking at all costs.
- Minimize your exposure to air pollutants and environmental and chemical irritants.

Alzheimer's disease
A chronic, irreversible neurological condition, Alzheimer's disease affects at least 5 million Americans. The majority of which are women. Although it is not known how to clearly prevent the development of this condition, the following could help:
- Take measures to maintain your heart's health. Coronary conditions, high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes and high levels of cholesterol in the blood are contributory factors to the development of this condition. Prevent your body from developing these diseases.
- Avoid injuries and trauma to the head. Studies indicate that there is a relationship that exists between Alzheimer's disease and head traumas.
- Work your brain. Keep your brain busy and maintain proper mental fitness.