Health concerns for Women in Their 40s
As women age, it is natural that our bodies degenerate and become more susceptible to health risks. A lot of women think they don’t have to worry about health concerns until they’re in their 50s. However, women should be concerned about the health risks they face and take time out of their busy lives to discuss these risks. Here are some health concerns to talk over with your doctor.
1. Depression
Women in their 40s are often extremely stressed out. They are typically juggling children, caring for aging parents, and work. This puts them at an increased risk for depression.
2. Heart Disease
Eat a healthy diet full of fiber and low in saturated fat. This reduces the risk for heart disease. Stop smoking. Smoking dramatically raises the risk of heart disease. It is vital to your heart to eat a healthy balanced diet that is low in cholesterol. Try to eat more whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and don’t forget those leafy greens!
3. Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the biggest health concerns for women in their 40s. Don’t wait, even if you are finished having children or have been sterilized. It is vital to have annual pap smears to detect any changes in the cervical cells. This will help detect small problems before they become bigger problems in the future.
4. Stroke
New or reoccurring strokes affect in the ball park of 780,000 Americans every year. Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Although age is the primary risk factor, having a stroke increases the probability of future strokes. Individuals most at risk for stroke are older adults, in particular those with high blood pressure, who lead a sedentary lifestyle, are overweight. smoke, or have diabetes. So it behooves the woman in her 40s to see a physician regularly.
5. Diabetes
Because of the hormonal changes that cause weight gain, a woman in her 40s is at an increased risk of developing diabetes. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising can drastically reduce the risk of developing this disease.
6. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a silent and serious disease. You probably don’t think about it, but bone is living tissue. Osteoporosis is not just a disease of little old ladies, it is also not a normal part of aging. It used to be defined as a disorder of postmenopausal women. It is now known that osteoporosis can develop at any age. Younger women often don’t realize that doing simple things like exercising and increasing calcium and vitamin D consumption can make a huge difference in keeping their bones strong.
7. High Cholesterol
Our risk for developing high cholesterol increases as we age. High levels of cholesterol can increase the risk for developing other serious health issues. High cholesterol has no symptoms; it is detected only through a blood test. A sedentary lifestyle, obesity and an unhealthy diet increase the risk for developing high cholesterol. Eating a healthy low-fat diet and exercising regularly help maintain a healthy weight, which in turn keeps the risk of high cholesterol down.
Familiarize yourself with the risks. There is only one “you”. Do what it takes to make sure that you stick around for as long as possible.