Heart Disease: Many people still believe that breast cancer is the leading cause threatening women’s health, but in reality, heart disease causes twice as many deaths as all types of cancer combined, making it the most serious health threat to women in the United States.
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(Photo: volunteermedical) |
There are many measures to reduce the risk of heart disease: do not smoke, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, consume whole grains, engage in physical activity, manage blood pressure and stress, reduce intake of fatty foods and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight (body mass index below 25). If at high risk for heart disease, daily intake of 325 mg of aspirin is recommended.
Cancer: The leading cause of cancer deaths is lung cancer, primarily associated with women smoking. Breast cancer ranks second among cancer-related deaths (in the U.S.).
Colorectal cancer ranks third.
About one-third of cancer deaths are related to nutrition or lifestyle factors that can be changed, as anyone can quit smoking or chewing tobacco; exercise regularly; eat more fruits and vegetables; avoid excessive sun exposure; limit alcohol; undergo regular check-ups to detect cancer early; and learn about family medical history.
Stroke: Among stroke patients, two-thirds are women. Stroke is not only the third leading cause of death for women but also a major cause of disability. Approximately 80% of stroke cases are due to atherosclerosis (the buildup of fat in blood vessels). High blood pressure, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in fat and cholesterol contribute to atherosclerosis and stroke, so lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk.
Although stroke is highly preventable, some risk factors cannot be controlled, such as family medical history, age, gender, and race. If at high risk for stroke, it’s essential to manage blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduce dietary fat, exercise regularly, and possibly take a low-dose aspirin daily.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This term encompasses a group of chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung conditions. The primary cause of COPD is smoking, which is closely linked to lung cancer, the leading cause of death among women.
Women who smoke are ten times more likely to die from COPD than non-smokers. The quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease decreases as the disease progresses; shortness of breath and reduced physical activity gradually worsen, eventually requiring respiratory support. The easiest way to reduce the risk of developing COPD is to avoid smoking.
Pneumonia and Influenza: When combined, these two diseases rank fifth in mortality among women, especially when accompanied by other chronic conditions that threaten life. Those with COPD, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions that weaken the immune system are at high risk. Since both pneumonia and influenza affect the lungs, smoking increases the danger.
The risks associated with these two diseases can be reduced through vaccination. Annual flu shots can provide up to 90% protection for adults. The pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of pneumonia by up to 80%, so maintaining good health requires attention to vaccinations.
Diabetes: This chronic disease is not yet fully curable; many only realize this when complications threaten their lives. As the disease progresses, it can lead to blindness, severe kidney damage, nerve damage, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke by 2 to 4 times. If parents have diabetes in adulthood, there is a 50% chance that their children will also develop the disease; diabetes rates are also rising among the obese.
The most common form is type II diabetes (insufficient insulin secretion or ineffective use of insulin, with cells not recognizing insulin), often occurring in those over 40. Lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of diabetes: avoiding being overweight, eating healthily, and exercising regularly.
Accidents and Complications: Women account for about 50% of traffic accident deaths among women; prevention can be achieved by wearing helmets when riding motorcycles or seat belts when driving cars, and avoiding high speeds. Today, the number of women working on construction sites is increasing, leading to a rise in workplace accidents.
Dr. DAO XUAN DUNG
