Nearly all leading women’s health threats preventable

By SHARON CHAYRA

VIEW ON HEALTH

Considered the fairer sex, statistics bear out that women live longer than men. Researchers attribute this advantage, in part, to sex hormones, which is likely why when a woman reaches menopause, her "advantage" may dissipate. Still, there are plenty of health risks to women.

The good news is that many of the top 10 list of women's health threats can be prevented. As the adage goes, an ounce of prevention could very well be worth a pound of cure!

HEART DISEASE

Heart disease is mostly known as a man's disease but it also poses a major threat to women especially in middle age. Conditions include coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, a faster heartbeat, weakness or dizziness and nausea. It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

Las Vegas internist Dr. Beraldo Vazquez Correa insists that a healthy lifestyle is a major key in preventing heart disease. "Women need to be aware of the risks of cardiovascular disease and the risks of not exercising, of smoking, of drinking, of not taking care of themselves," he said.

Several keys for prevention include quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising. While it may seem overwhelming to live a heart healthy life, small improvements -- from taking the stairs vs. an elevator, to cutting out processed food--work out to big results over a period of time.

LUNG CANCER

Cancer also proves to be a major threat to women but it is not breast cancer that is the most common cause of death. While breast cancer and colorectal cancer pose major threats, according to the American Cancer Society lung cancer is the deadliest. Symptoms of lung cancer are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify.

For the family of Sharon Robinson, her diagnosis of lung cancer was insidious enough that she had only two months between diagnosis and death. Dana Reeve, the widow of actor Christopher had never been a smoker but succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 44, less than a year from diagnosis.

The National Cancer Institute reports that exposure to radon -- a gas that can also be found in water particularly if you have a well -- increases lung cancer incidence and mortality. Radon exposure most often occurs at home and can be reduced by sealing cracks in your home's foundation especially if you have a basement, ventilating crawlspaces, and testing then using a filtration system for your water source.

The growth of the cancer and invasion of lung tissues and surrounding tissue may interfere with breathing, leading to symptoms such as cough, wheezing, chest pain and coughing up blood. To reduce your risk of cancer don't smoke or use other tobacco products, try to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, maintain a healthy weight and limit your sun exposure.

STROKE

Some stroke risk factors for strokes cannot be controlled. These include age, family history, sex or race. A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die. Blood flow can be compromised by a variety of mechanisms. A common symptom is a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. The loss of voluntary movement and/or sensation may be complete or partial. There may also be an associated tingling sensation in the affected area. Drugs to thin the blood are also sometimes used in treating stroke patients in the hopes of improving the patient's recovery. Blood pressure is often tightly controlled using intravenous medication to prevent stroke symptoms from progressing.

An interesting fact about stroke is it affects women in the postpartum period or the time after she has delivered a baby. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, postpartum stroke generally occurs from days five to two weeks after delivery. One of the reasons may be the increased maternal age at which many women deliver and obesity. High blood pressure and diabetes are also risk factors for stroke.

Dr. Vasquez says that getting immediate treatment after a stroke is vitally important. "There are many stroke treatments that need to be given immediately to be effective, and people are far more likely to have complications if they stay at home than if they go to the hospital."

CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. It is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD.

In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged causing them to lose their shape and elasticity. This damage also can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones. If this happens, the amount of gas exchange in the lungs is reduced. In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe. The only way to reduce your risk of getting COPD is to avoid smoking.

Treatment for COPD and other respiratory conditions include oxygen supplementation, long-acting steroids and fast-acting inhalers.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's accounting for an annual cost of $172 billion dollars in the U.S. It is also the seventh leading cause of the death.

In most people with Alzheimer's, symptoms first appear after age 60. It is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Memory problems are one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists don't yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer's disease, but it is clear that it develops because of a complex series of events that take place in the brain over a long period of time.

It is likely that the causes include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Because people differ in their genetic make-up and lifestyle, the importance of these factors for preventing or delaying Alzheimer's differs from person to person. A nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating pursuits can all help people stay healthy. New research suggests the possibility that these factors also might help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

CAR CRASH

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of fatal accidents among women is motor vehicle crashes. Ironically, women are statistically considered safer drivers so part of the mortality associated with car crashes may actually be related to their generally smaller stature and deployment of airbags.

A study conducted by Progressive Insurance in May 2007 reported that female car crash rates increased. While males tended to be involved in alcohol-related crashes, young females were beginning to show an alarming increase in fatal car wrecks related to alcohol use and failure to use seatbelts. And a recent proposal is now going to be presented to the Nevada legislature prohibiting state workers from texting and cell phone use while driving state vehicles.

Distractions like cell phone usage, texting and preoccupation with other passengers in the cars lent themselves to making a crash more likely.

Reduce your risk by wearing your seat belt and following the speed limit. You should also avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substances including prescription medications. Lastly, no texting and driving; the results will not make you LOL.

DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar, your body's main source of fuel. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly. Other problems associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include dehydration and damage to the body.

Some studies suggest that women who have diabetes have greater risk of pregnancy complications, birth defects, infertility, and suffer from fatal heart attacks at a younger age than women without diabetes.

Over time, the high glucose levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke. To prevent type 2 diabetes you should lose excess pounds, if you're overweight, try to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods and include physical activity in your daily routine. If medication is prescribed, remain compliant in taking it.

INFLUENZA

While the flu isn't viewed as a serious threat, complications from the flu if not taken care of can prove to be deadly. Because children often bring a host of sickness home and given women are the usually the primary caretaker, they are at higher risk of getting sick.

The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. The most common way to catch the flu is by breathing in droplets from coughs or sneezes. Less often, it is spread when you touch a surface such as a faucet handle or phone that has the virus on it, and then touch your own mouth, nose, or eyes.

The flu usually begins abruptly, with a fever between 102 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The fever usually lasts for a day or two but can last five days or more. Most people who get seasonal flu will likely recover without needing medical care but the flu is responsible for over thousands of deaths annually in the U.S. depending on the strain. Doctors, however, can prescribe antiviral drugs to treat people who become very sick with the flu or who are at high-risk for flu complication. Rest and drinking plenty of liquids is often recommended. And as our mother's often scolded -- wash your hands.

KIDNEY DISEASE

Women may have a slight advantage when it comes to chronic kidney disease compared to men but that advantage disappears if she's diabetic.

Kidney failure can occur from an acute situation or from chronic problems. In acute renal failure, kidney function is lost rapidly and can occur from a variety of insults to the body. The list of causes is often categorized based on where the injury has occurred. Some people have no symptoms, at least in the early stages. The symptoms may be very subtle and may include decreased urine production, body swelling, problems concentrating, confusion, fatigue, and lethargy.

"The scariest part of kidney failure is that it's silent," says Dr. Vazquez. "The majority of patients have no idea they have kidney disease."

Prevention is always the goal with kidney failure. Chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are devastating because of the damage that they can do to kidneys and other organs. Lifelong diligence is important in keeping blood sugar and blood pressure within normal limits. Specific treatments are dependent upon the underlying diseases.

So here's where being female might be a slight advantage when it comes to chronic kidney disease: women live an average of nine months longer and advance to dialysis 13 months later than men according to a Canadian study. And the osteoporosis drug, raloxifene, may be useful in treating kidney disease in women. Still, chronic kidney disease poses a big risk to women and the focus should always be on prevention.

SEPTICEMIA

What is is septicemia? It is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly and is carried by the blood. Often known as blood poisoning, it can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may come before or at the same time as infections of the bone, central nervous system, heart, or other tissues. Singer Lily Allen, who lost a baby in her sixth month of pregnancy was reportedly hospitalized after she suffered from septicemia a week after the miscarriage.

Septicemia begins with spiking fevers, chills, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. The symptoms rapidly progress to shock with fever or decreased body temperature (hypothermia), falling blood pressure, confusion or other changes in mental status, and blood clotting problems that lead to a specific type of red spots on the skin. Septicemia is often a serious condition that requires a hospital stay and has a high mortality rate.

The best way to ensure an optimal outcome is recognizing the signs of septicemia and being inoculated. The Haempohilus influenza B (HIB) and S. pneumoniae vaccine have already reduce the number of cases in kids. Ask your healthcare provider if these immunizations are appropriate for you.

OTHER CONDITIONS

There are other conditions that did not make the top 10, but that women should be aware of nonetheless. Pelvic congestion syndrome is one of them. It usually starts with a dull and aching pain that lingers in your lower abdomen and lower back. Valves in the veins of the pelvis become weakened and don't close properly. Instead of defying gravity and returning blood to the heart, the valves allow blood to flow backward and pool in the veins, causing pressure and bulging. It is treated with a procedure called embolization. During the procedure, the radiologist inserts a thin catheter that's about the size of a strand of spaghetti into the groin's femoral vein and moves it to the affected vein using X-ray guidance.

A way to reduce your risk to any of these conditions is to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating healthy foods, staying physically active, getting regular checkups and paying attention to your environment.