Modern women often have both a job and a family, which means that they are left with very little spare time for themselves. Despite this, regularly visiting Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA and getting a checkup is important. At the Women’s Center, we can address problems specific to female patients. Read on to find out more about the factors that affect women’s health the most.
What Are the Main Factors That Affect Women’s Health?
With modern medicine, we can be healthier and live longer than ever before. Despite this, most people struggle with at least one health issue. Women suffer from general problems like cancer, mental health challenges, and issues related to the natural aging process. Additionally, they have unique challenges related to pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, and menopause.
The best way to prevent serious diseases is to lead a healthy lifestyle and visit the clinic every year or two for a checkup. That way, small problems can be caught early, and the risk of a major condition is lower. Reducing the amount of stress you are under also improve your general health and prevents disease.
Pregnancy
Around 85% of women over the age of 40 have at least one child. For many, pregnancy is a beautiful experience, but it is also very stressful on the body. While you’re pregnant, you might experience symptoms that make it difficult to carry on with your normal routine. After you’ve given birth, most of those will disappear, but your body might still feel different from before.
It’s important to get medical support both during and after your pregnancy. This allows you to remain healthy, which benefits both you and your family. When you come for your postnatal consultations, we’ll speak to you about any painful symptoms you still have, the ideal diet, and what kinds of exercise are appropriate. If you’re breastfeeding, we’ll discuss how much you need to drink and how you can keep yourself healthy during this special period of life.
The Menstrual Cycle
It is estimated that 14 to 25% of women have menstrual irregularities. Some of the most common problems related to the menstrual cycle are painful cramps, heavy bleeding, and irregular bleeding. Women who experience these issues might have trouble completing their normal routine because they are in pain. Those who bleed heavily often experience dizziness and anemia.
If you’re in pain every time you menstruate, you have to change your sanitary products more frequently than every two hours, or you’re worried about the irregularity of your cycle, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll schedule a Well-Woman exam to figure out whether you need further treatment. Sometimes, home remedies are enough, but at other times, patients need medication.
Menopause
Most women become menopausal between the ages of 45 and 55. This means that their menstrual cycle stops, and they can no longer have children. Unfortunately, menopause often comes with unpleasant symptoms. Many patients experience hot flashes, night sweats, changes in their mood, fatigue, brain fog, migraines, vaginal dryness, and pain in the vaginal area.
There are several ways of easing these symptoms. Often, doctors suggest lifestyle changes like eating a certain diet, wearing loose clothes, and setting up a cool, quiet sleeping area. However, this isn’t always enough. Some several medications and supplements can support the body throughout menopause. Book a consultation if you’re experiencing severe symptoms.
Mental Health Issues
Although mental health issues affect both genders, women are two to three times more likely to suffer from common conditions like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. This might be due to their biological makeup, but it is also a result of the amount of stress placed on many women, especially those who are raising children and working at the same time.
Sometimes, female patients start experiencing depression after having a baby or when they enter menopause. At other times, conditions develop due to adverse life experiences or a chemical imbalance in the brain. If you’re worried about your mental health, reach out straight away. The earlier an issue is addressed, the more successful the treatment.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise significantly affect women’s health. Patients who eat lots of unprocessed foods that contain vital nutrients, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly are much less likely to suffer from issues like diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. As a result, they live a longer, healthier life, and they don’t need as much medical care. People who have an unhealthy lifestyle often find it difficult to make the necessary changes.
Start by contacting a nutritionist, dietitian, or personal trainer, who will help you to come up with a plan and motivate you to keep going when it gets tough. You might also benefit from speaking to others in your situation, since peer support has been shown to increase the success rate of lifestyle changes. There are support groups for people looking to improve their health and get rid of damaging habits all over Atlanta.
Cancer
Almost 40% of people will have cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, many kinds are now treatable, especially if they are caught early. Breast cancer is by far the most common kind, affecting millions of women around the world each year. Women also frequently suffer from colorectal, lung, uterine, cervical, stomach, and thyroid cancer.
There are several treatments, and the right one depends on what type of cancer the patient has and whether it has spread to other tissues. Tumors can be removed with surgery and treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. If you have cancer, it’s likely that you’ll need specialist care at a hospital or clinic.
The Aging Process
When we become older, our bodies lose some of their natural resilience, and we’re more prone to various diseases. People over the age of 70 are often no longer as mobile as before, so they need to adjust their activity levels and exercise routine. They might also develop issues related to their joints like arthritis, and they no longer recover from illness as quickly as before.
Aging affects the way a patient looks. Most women in their golden years have wrinkles, sun damage on their skin, and thinning hair. While this is normal, it sometimes affects the person’s mental health. Many of the cosmetic changes related to aging can be slowed down through healthy living and certain treatments.
Vision and Dental
People of all ages have problems with their vision. Not being able to see well affects every aspect of a patient’s life, including their work and their enjoyment of leisure activities. Because problems with your eyes are unlikely to get better on their own, it’s important to visit the clinic as soon as you notice a change. If you can’t see well, you might need glasses or contact lenses, and you’ll be asked to come to the clinic more regularly, so we can monitor the situation.
Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, you need regular checkups with an experienced dentist and dental hygienist. They take x-rays of your teeth to find cavities, check your gums, and remove harmful plaque from your teeth. Dentists can also check whether you have any orthodontic issues and help you find the right solution.
Do I Need a Well-Woman Exam?
At Southside Medical, we offer Well-Woman exams to all women who are either over the age of 21 or sexually active. We recommend that you attend a consultation once a year or once every two years to make sure that you don’t develop a serious disease. During the Well-Woman appointment, we’ll start by discussing your health history and current lifestyle.
Some of the topics that might come up include your menstrual cycle, any general health concerns, and family planning options. Next, the doctor will examine your breasts and your pelvis to rule out cancer, cysts, and irregularities. A pap smear test will also be performed. If you have any questions or concerns at any stage of the appointment, speak to the doctor. They’re happy to provide you with the information you need to make healthy choices.
Get Treatment and Advice at the Women’s Center
Women’s health is affected by a number of factors, including pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, menopause, stress, lifestyle factors, mental health issues, and the natural aging process. Many women also experience cancer at some point in life. Give us a call at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA and book an appointment. We offer general adult medicine as well as services specifically designed for women.