'Women’s Health’ is one of the most significant and challenging global health issues that governments and nations around the world are facing today. Unfortunately, today’s go-getter modern women are the most vulnerable to major infections and diseases. Women today are leading busier lives than ever before, allowing their health to slip off their priority list.
International Women’s Day is here and it seems the perfect reason to empower women to choose their health over everything else. The International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8th March every year, is a day to celebrate women- in all diversities, across all races, identities, and disabilities.
This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge and it is time for all women to ‘Choose Health’ & ‘Challenge Fitness Goals’ in 2021.
Women Today Are More Susceptible to Health Issues: Here’s Why!
With busier lives, women are under more stress. As the stress becomes chronic and excessive, most women often complain of headaches, tiredness, sleep disturbances, difficulty in sleeping, skin problems, drug and alcohol abuse, overeating and undereating, loss of interest in sexual activities, back and neck pain, difficulty in getting pregnant, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Lack of proper stress management not only impacts the personal, social, and professional lives of women, it has also a major effect on the happiness quotient and wellbeing of a nation.
Helping women nurture their health is the dire need of the hour. And this will not happen unless we are aware of some of the most serious health conditions and diseases that women are facing globally.
Fast Facts About Women’s Health Issues
WHO (World Health Organization) reported in early February 2021 that breast cancer has overtaken lung cancer as the world’s most commonly-diagnosed cancer in women.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the cervix of women and is the fourth most common cancer among women globally.
Osteoporosis (a chronic bone disease) affects more women than men. About 80% of all reported osteoporosis cases are of women, mainly due to the drop in estrogen levels after the age of 35 years, which leads to the degeneration of bones.
Obesity is another chronic condition that women are likely to suffer with. In 2020, about 72% of the women globally were obese. Obesity also increases the risk of certain cancers like that of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, thyroid, ovarian, and meningioma, by 40%, in most women.
UNICEF reported that in 2019, 810 women die every day from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. In India, pregnancy-related complications (maternal health issues) are the number one cause of death among girls between 15 and 19 years of age.
India is one of the fastest-growing economies, thanks to the pool of educated and talented women. However, in a survey done across 21 different countries, in alarming statistics, 87% of Indian women felt stressed. This stress comes with the burden of expectations.
Depression and anxiety can grip women easier and faster than men. Women are known to have a 50% increased risk of suffering from depression and its symptoms.
For All Women, “Don’t Just Manage Your Symptoms, Eliminate Them”
This women’s day, choose to call out and challenge the status quo of your health. Keep up with your health, fitness, and diet with these easy-to-follow tips:
1. A balanced diet is the secret to your good health! A balanced eating pattern that consists of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, calcium, and other nutritional foods is known to help your body function better. Make sure you are consistent with your diet and meal portions.
2. Water is the one-stop solution for most of your health problems, especially of your skin woes. Staying hydrated flushes out the hazardous toxins that build up in your body due to poor eating and sedentary habits. Drink lots of water to aid digestion, absorption, and to maintain all other body functions.
Increased water intake will also lead to glowing and radiating skin by reducing puffiness and improving your complexion.
3. Skipping your breakfast is not a great idea. However busy you find yourself in the mornings, make sure to indulge in a good and healthy breakfast; filled with proteins to keep you energized and going throughout the day.
4. Do not obsess over dieting; there are better things! Maybe it's time to give up on your 'weight loss' goals if you have started obsessing over them. Remember, maintaining a healthy body weight is very important.
Experts suggest it is better to focus on building your stamina and exercise daily, along with eating a healthy balanced diet, than choosing to diet every few weeks or months.
5. Get yourself checked every six months. Schedule half-yearly full-body checkups with your healthcare provider to identify illnesses and infections early. Do this to save time, money, and energy.
6. Stop toxifying your skin with chemically-laden products. For once, try and use natural kitchen ingredients for your skin. After all, DIY (Do It Yourself) is the way to go these days.
Natural home remedies can work wonders for your skin when used the right way. The next time you are buying new over-the-counter products, remember, those chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream through your skin and can cause a lot of damage to your overall health.
7. Exercise, exercise, and exercise! Just 30 minutes of your favorite outdoor sport, running, gyming, or walking, is all you need daily to keep fit and going. The key is to stay active and keep moving throughout the day.
8. It's not worth stressing over everything! Don't make stress a part of your daily life. Eating de-stressing foods is the way to beat your daily stress. Include more brightly colored fruits and vegetables to lift your mood instantly. Start your day with yoga and meditation and take each day as it comes.
9. It's okay to indulge once in a while. There is no need to forget munching on your favorite foods, once in a while. Go ahead and indulge in foods that make you and your tummy happy. Yet again, remember not to overeat.
10. Limit or quit smoking and alcohol. Drinking and smoking regularly can be extremely dangerous lifestyle habits. Not only do they reduce your lifespan, but also make you look a lot dull and older.
This Women’s Day, celebrate your health and that of every other woman around you. Let go and focus solely on your mind, body, and soul.
References:
1. Who.int. 2021. A cervical cancer-free future: First-ever global commitment to eliminate a cancer. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news/item/17-11-2020-a-cervical-cancer-free-future-first-ever-global-commitment-to-eliminate-a-cancer> [Accessed 24 February 2021].
2. Who.int. 2021. Women's health. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/health-topics/women-s-health/> [Accessed 26 February 2021].
3. Unicef.org. 2021. Maternal, newborn and child survival. [online] Available at: <https://www.unicef.org/health/maternal-newborn-and-child-survival#:~:text=What's%20more%2C%20an%20estimated%20810,lives%20of%20children%20and%20mothers.> [Accessed 26 February 2021].
Disclaimer: This article is written by Practo for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.