Common Health Issues in Women to Ask Your Doctor About

Women’s health issues go far beyond the gynecological, but many women tend to worry most about their reproductive health. In fact, the number one killer of women is heart disease. On your next visit with your doctor, make sure you talk about cardiac health, fitness, and any adjustments you should make to your supplementation routine.

Cardiac Concerns

Your risk of heart disease goes up after menopause. If at all possible, start a wellness routine with an eye on your cardiac health before you get close to that phase of your life.

For those with a family history of high blood pressure, keep an eye on

• daily exercise for cardiac health
• healthy stress management to protect your blood vessels
• a healthy diet to reduce arterial clogging
• a daily glass of wine if you like

Daily aspirin is a good option if you aren’t at risk of clotting disorders or prone to stomach irritation. Before you start a daily aspirin, make sure it won’t conflict with any other medications.

It’s interesting to note that many women over 75 actually enjoy more than one glass of wine per day. Because wine can impact your balance and increase your risk of poor decisions, you may want to leave this out.

Family Risk

Having a close family member who develops breast or ovarian cancer raises your risk, but it’s not a foregone conclusion. Discuss the need for additional or more involved testing, such as an ultrasound mammogram or blood tests for ovarian cancer.

Blood-clotting disorders and high cholesterol are also inherited risks. If your parents or grandparents suffered from dangerously high cholesterol, make sure you get yours checked and make the dietary and medication adjustments necessary.

Supplements to Consider

Most women take a calcium supplement, but if you don’t include weight-bearing exercise with your calcium and other bone-related minerals, you will miss out on the full benefit. You’ll also want to up your intake of Vitamin D, get some sun, and avoid smoking for your calcium plan to give you the most protection.

Supplements, from extra iron to UTI relief can make it a lot easier to stay healthy. If you struggle with an upset stomach or nausea after a supplement, consider

• taking the supplement with food, particularly something fatty, such as eggs or peanut butter
• try to take the supplement at lunch or supper; your morning coffee may increase stomach irritation
• if you can’t take pills, try a fortified cereal with yogurt for vitamins, minerals, and big calcium boost

If you took prenatal vitamins at the direction of your doctor but had a hard time tolerating them, discuss pairing food with your supplements to avoid nausea and heartburn.

Daily Routine

Are you constantly tired? Discuss a sleep study with your physician. While it’s more common among men, many women snore or struggle with sleep apnea. This is a potentially dangerous condition that could shorten your life, so getting on top of it early is critical.

Do you struggle with heartburn, nausea, or digestive troubles? Keeping a food journal can help, but your physician may also be able to help you change up what you eat and when for the best stomach health and digestive comfort.

Do you struggle to find time to exercise, or deal with chronic pain? Your physician may be able to refer you to a physical therapist. A PT professional can

• observe your form when exercising with little resistance
• help you use the best alignment and improve your posture
• feel good enough to start working with a personal trainer, who can help you increase resistance

Poor alignment puts you at risk of serious injury if you try to increase resistance. A PT professional can also give you stretches and exercises to repair any damage done over time and safely increase your exercise intensity.

Finally, if you struggle with your weight, stop beating yourself up and talk to your doctor. You will likely have had all the blood tests, including fasting blood sugar, to make sure that you are not dealing with diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition. Your physician can guide you to proper nutritional choices for your time of life.