Curious Parents Family Health Resources

Moms, Keep Yourself Healthy
Publisher's Note

My experience at Curious Parents  created a focus and appreciation for the important role that women play in our lives as moms and wives.  Women are the primary care givers for most families – they are responsible for the health and welfare of most family members including elderly parents, husbands and children, as well as themselves.  In fact, multiple research studies have confirmed that women are the decision makers for 80 percent of all healthcare decisions in the United States.  While they are so busy taking care of the rest of us, you need to make sure that you are taking care ofyourself as well.

Our opinions are shaped by the amount of media attention given to various topics and so one would think that from all of the press and PR that breast cancer is the primary risk to women.  However, breast cancer is actually listed as the #6 cause of death amongst women.  Deborah Heart and Lung Center has been extremely responsible and helpful in publicizing the importance of women’s heart health.  The top ten killers of women (from the 2002 CDC report on mortality) are:

1. Heart Disease
2. Stroke (Cardiovascular Disease)
3. Lung Cancer
4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
6. Breast Cancer
7. Diabetes
8. Accidents
9. Influenza and Pneumonia
10. Colon Cancer

The most interesting aspect of this list is the fact that most of these diseases can be avoided or the risk reduced through a short list of factors.  All of the factors to avoid or minimize the risk and consequences of these top killers of women are behavioral:

1. Don’t smoke
2. Limit alcohol intake
3. Exercise regularly
4. Control high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol
5. Limit saturated fats
6. Get regular screenings
7. Maintain a healthy weight
8. Eat healthily
9. Get an annual flu shot

Even if you don’t smoke or engage in other risky behaviors, getting regular screenings and regular visits to your personal physician are important to detect or rule out anomalous occurrences.

This month, our feature articles focus on heart health by utilizing good nutrition and lifestyle tips.  Keep healthy by learning and understanding pure lifestyles to stay well.