
When the topic of women’s health care is raised, the first disease that comes to mind is probably breast cancer. But surprisingly, that’s not the number one health care issue confronting women today. In fact, heart disease kills more women each year than all forms of cancer combined. By knowing the most significant risks in women’s health care and what you can do to combat these health care issues, women of all ages can take a proactive approach to leading healthier lives.
The #1 Women’s Health Care Issue: Heart Disease More than 489,000 American women lose their lives each year as a result of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. In fact, more women than men die from heart disease each year. Until recently, little research focused on women and heart disease, but the good news is that’s no longer the case. From research into the effects of hormone replacement therapy on heart health to studies of how cholesterol-lowering medications work in women, there’s an unprecedented increase in the amount of information available to women working to live with and ward off heart disease.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic offer simple common sense advice to women (and men) in the fight against heart disease: don’t smoke, eat a diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes a week, and maintain a healthy weight.
In addition, they encourage women to see their family doctor each year for a physical which includes blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Studies indicate that there is a 46% increase in stroke risk for women for each 7.5 mm HG increase in their diastolic blood pressure, so monitoring blood pressure and controlling hypertension are vital.
Women who suffer migraines, are pregnant, have atrial fibrillation and those with the auto-immune disease Lupus also appear to run a greater stroke risk. Diabetes is another women’s health care issue with a direct impact on heart health. The American Heart Association notes women with diabetes have a two to six times greater risk of heart disease and heart attack and are at a significantly greater risk of suffering a stroke. All of these risk factors make an annual visit with your doctor one of the best ways women can manage and improve the health of their hearts.
Cancer Concerns: The Second Deadliest Health Care Issue Women Face While breast cancer is often at the top of the list of health care issues for women, several other types of cancers also pose a significant threat to women’s health. In this country, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime according to current data which means that a little more than 2 million women are currently living with breast cancer in the U.S. But melanoma, a form of skin cancer, actually kills more young women than any other cancer according to statistics provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, melanoma is the most common form of cancer in women between the ages of 25 and 29 and its incidence has tripled in women under 40 in the last thirty years.
Ovarian cancer is another women’s health care concern. Usually symptomless until it is widespread, this disease is the fourth most frequent cause of death for American women. The American Cancer Society estimates 26,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year. Unfortunately, there are few definitive screening tests that detect this disease, but experts advise a thorough annual gynecological exam and for women to be alert to pelvic pain and pressure, low back discomfort, mild nausea, and an increase in constipation or gas. A serum CA-125 blood test can detect certain forms of ovarian cancer, but the test is not accurate enough to be used as a routine screening tool.
The rate of women suffering from cervical cancer has dropped a great deal over the years, thanks in part to the increase in the number of women who get an annual Pap smear which can indicate the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix. It’s a strong argument for making sure you never skip your Pap smear. Women who have had Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs), herpes simplex virus, those with suppressed immune systems, and those who have had multiple sexual partners run a greater risk of cervical cancer. On the prevention front, a recent trial of a vaccine against cervical cancer was 100% effective in the short term at blocking the disease.
Psychological Well-being: A Growing Health Care Issue for Women In the field of women’s health care, psychological problems, which include eating disorders, depression, and anxiety disorders, affect millions of American women. From coping skills to medications to alternative and complementary medical approaches, there is a growing body of knowledge being brought to bear on this important health care issue.
More than 19 million people in the United States, the greatest percentage being women, live with anxiety disorders that disrupt their lives. The different types of disorders within this group include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. Treatment options include talk therapy and a wide range of medications that can quell the symptoms of the condition. Many women also combine alternative approaches to treatment such as acupuncture, meditation, and diet modification with traditional forms of treatment.
According to the American Psychological Association, women are almost twice as likely to suffer from major depression as men. In fact, some experts in the field have called depression the most significant mental health risk for women, especially those in their childbearing and rearing years. Studies have found that married women and mothers are especially vulnerable to depression. It’s important for a woman who feels she may be suffering from depression to be carefully evaluated by a physician because the source of the depressive symptoms could be birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, or thyroid disease. Treatment for depression, like most other psychological conditions, includes talk therapy and medications. Some women also find relief in alternative medicine with herbal supplements, meditation, and other complementary techniques.
Though many of the women who struggle with eating disorders are in their teens and twenties, these conditions also affect women at other stages in their lives. Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are the most well-known forms of eating disorders. Statistics show that one out of every one hundred girls between the ages of 10 and 20 is anorexic, 4% of college-aged women are bulimic, and 1% of women are binge eaters. The root causes of these diseases include stress at home and at school or work, depression and anxiety, major life changes like a divorce or death, and physical and sexual abuse. Breaking out of the cycle of eating disorders requires a combined approach to this health care issue including psychological treatment, nutrition counseling, and in some cases, hospitalization.
A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health Care As women become more proactive about their health, many seek a holistic approach to improving their well-being and fighting disease. But coordinating information among several health care providers, keeping on top of the latest breakthroughs in health, and finding the United States’ best doctors is a daunting task for any women.
Some are turning to private professional health care advocates, like those available at PinnacleCare, to help them achieve their goal of a whole-woman centered approach to health care issues. From compiling and electronically storing comprehensive medical records to researching treatment options and providing accelerated access to the United States’ top doctors, PinnacleCare’s health advocates make a holistic approach to health care possible.
“I passionately believe that what our PinnacleCare Members experience is the way healthcare ought to be delivered,” explains John Hutchins, PinnacleCare’s Managing Director. “The healthcare system has gotten so complex that most people are at a loss to find their way through it without professional guidance and objective counsel.”
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How will universal health care stop foreclosures and stimulate the economy?These two points were made by Obama in his argument for urgency in passing his health care proposals. Isn't he robbing "Peter to pay Paul"? This plan would tax businesses more than they currently pay for employee health care.
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R.gitcher is one of the leader in womens health with 60,000 articles to his name and 12 million reads he surely can help to make it happen
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July 25th, 2009
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Dear Zig,
Immitation is a form of flattery, I am flattered.
Love,
Bitah!
Okay if you won't have any clinical skills or any managerial/administration skills, just what will you do? You'll have a lot of knowledge but nothing to do with it.
Yes. If you have unlimited resources as an American you have the best health care in the world. If you are an ordinary citizen you simply don't. Even the average health care plan generally does not cover the basics like European systems do. All too often Americans find out just how under insured they are when sickness strikes.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2008/Jun/How-Many-Are-Underinsured–Trends-Among-U-S–Adults–2003-and-2007.aspx
That's important because when those people are lucky enough to stay healthy they will never see a problem whatsoever just as their fellow countrymen were just fine with their coverage before tradgedy happened.
http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/12538706/detail.html
http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/your_story/my-insurance-company-denied-my-doctors-prescription
http://www.rhonawaxman.com/blog/insurance-company-medical-exam-denied-me-surgery.html
This is the same thing as with the standard of living. Americans have a higher income on average than Americans but more detailed data shows it's the top 1 percent income earners that's responsible for the whole difference. Middle clas an poor Americans are much worse of than their European counterparts
That's ultimately what it is about
YOU ARE A FUCKING DOUCHEBAG!!! LIKE you said, you were raised in Canada. You have no idea what it is like not even being able to go to a doctor.
FUCK YOU, and you are terribly unfunny.
Go suck off Glenn Beck, clown
Speaking of fire department obamas laying em off!!
Here's something to think about: according to the census bureau, of the 47 million or so that are uninsured almost 10 million are illegal immigrants, 8 million make over 75,000 a year, another 8 million make over 50,000 a year, and 14 million qualify for medic-aid or medicare but do not apply. Hmmm. makes you think that maybe our system isn't so bad after all. So Obama needs to quit with his fear mongering and quit lying to us. There are a lot of unemployed, but 47 million is very misleading. Give us a real number!
Also the idea is that by giving health care to everyone, businesses don't have to pay for it, and then they can give more jobs, increase profit, and help the economy. Which sounds great, if you're stupid. Since Universal health care is insanely expensive, guess who pays for it? raised taxes on business and on the rich, (and apparently companies that aren't green). So it's basically a beat-around the the bush way to distribute wealth. And ask yourself this? Is it a good idea to take from from the rich? Take money from a poor man, and he becomes poorer, take money from a rich man, and he goes to work and fires his workers. So which is worse? MAYBE GOVERNMENT JUST SHOULDN'T TAKE PEOPLES MONEY!
Dear Elbow Biter,
While your comment has emotional appeal, it is empirically bankrupt. Inflation adjusted standard of living has increased enormously post Reagan. An inflation is overstated, because it doesn’t account for how my lap top and internet are faster, how my ipod is better than my walkman etc.
Pre Reagan the total value of assets in the US:$18 trillion. 2007: Aprox. 60T. Credit Crisis. Now: $42T. 18-42 represents more wealth creation than the world has ever seen in any other time.
You need to talk with a local agent that works with all of the major companies in your area. Insurance companies and the plans they offer will vary from state to state and the premium with any one plan can vary by zip code.
At 22 if you are in good health you should be able to find a catastrophic plan for less than $100 in most states and a comprehensive plan shouldn't be much more than $100.
The agent will be able to explain what you need to know – there is not enough space here to tell you everything. You'll need to know about the deductible, the co-insurance, the co-pays and what is covered with the co-pay, what procedures are and are not subject to the deductible, what is excluded from the plans, which doctors accept the plans, the different types of plans and how they operate, the prescription coverage if any, and much more. There is no extra charge using an agent.
Dear smokin,
Profit also gave us MRI Machines, disposable needles, Allergy meds, competent doctors, early detection devices etc. Look at any business plan competition (Harvard, Wharton etc.). The businesses that win are companies help solve diseases like breast cancer, muscular dystrophia, etc. Profit is the mother’s milk of innovation, it is the driving force behind evolution, progress and increasing standards of living.
Also, please stop “smokin.”
Love,
Zig
They have a 100 percent covered plan for them and their families for life (assuming they serve at least 6 years), along with an excellent pension plan for life.
They will care about the crisis if it is something the voters want! After all, if they are not acting in the interest of the voters, they will lose their seat and their health care plan.
Unfortunately, there is so much disagreement between the "left" and the "right" that it is difficult for congress to do anything. In addition, many people (even those who truly need health care reforms) vote based on moral values, leaving health care to be ignored.
In any plan made by Clinton the only financial incentives are to put money in her personal bank account.
Reform??? What kind of conservative are you, daisymom4. Reform is a sneaky backdoor way to describe government regulation. The gov’t should never put demands on private enterprise, especially safe guard protections for people. Big business is geared towards money, not serving ninny nanny self interested cry babies. Stay away from my insurance company with those dirty government hands. I am a believe that American companies know what’s best for business. If you don’t like it move to Europe.
I agree. The government fucks up just about every business they get their hands on.
What is going to happen is the Government is going to set the rates doctors can charge for services. Doctors cannot afford the rates so they will overbook people to get the most money they can so you will go to the Dr office and wait for several hours and maybe even have to return the next day. Dr groups will get bigger and overbooking will be even more and waiting will be longer. Just think of going to the Dr and there being 100 patients in the waiting room to see a Dr.
Depends on the perspective. The "socialized" (please use in quotation marks) perspective is that users of health care are the community as a whole; thus, 'just' is defined as minimizing the losing individuals. "Free market's" views are that the users are individuals or groups of individuals; thus, 'just' is defined as maximizing the number of individuals 'satisfied.'
From both common political and ethical perspective, a child is often unable to contribute to the discussion of 'individuals to be lost' in "socialized health care" or 'user satisfaction' in the "free market." Given the assumptions that pediatric care is satisfactory for most children, "socialized health care" is more just because the intrinsic cost-of-life-saved would then be higher even though some children would fall through the cracks. HOWEVER, given the assumption above and also that the income difference between the richest and poorest people is minimal, the "free market" is more just because parents can decide what is most 'satisfactory' without too much undue financial burden.
God Bless America
That would make sense if it were true. The fire department gets it money from ‘we’ the people. Fire departments in the United States whether Local, State or Federal receive their money from the taxes we pay. Its not a freebie. Also from federal grants.
OMG…NO!!!!!!!!!