In the framework of International Women’s Day, a clear example of female empowerment is not putting the health of others before your own. Many women, mainly mothers or heads of households, put the welfare of their children, grandchildren, or even that of their romantic partners first, instead of watching over their own.
“Being a woman implies a series of challenges to be healthy, because sometimes, being the epicenter of the family, it is difficult to have time to take care of yourself on a day-to-day basis. However, there are ways to improve habits for a healthier life. The fundamental role of women in caring for the lives of others makes them more vulnerable ”, warned Hellen Hernández from the Jaim Family Clinic.
And he added: “The woman in our country has been the one who takes care of the children, the spouse, the parents, siblings and even on many occasions the elderly in their homes and this is also done by having work responsibilities outside the home. The woman has always been present in a significant way in the care of life. Her figure has been a source of hope for society, as goddesses of health or protectors of many diseases, or of important trances in the life of the human being ”.
TIPS
Thus, Hernández undertook the task of providing a series of advice to women in his day, to take care of their body. For example, if you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 75, you should have a gynecological check-up schedule.
According to the expert, it is increasingly common for women, regardless of their age, to be diagnosed with diseases such as breast cancer, skin cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, among others.
Only in terms of breast cancer, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), in Costa Rica the leading cause of death in the first half of 2020 corresponded to neoplasms, both in men and women. In the case of women, the first cause of death corresponds to breast cancer.
In that sense, Hernández said that routine examinations are key to preventing any of these diseases.
“It is recommended that women between 40 and 75 have a mammogram annually, especially if they have a history of breast cancer in close relatives (mother, sisters, daughters). From the age of 25, and especially between the ages of 35 and 64, it is recommended that women have an annual Pap smear and a colposcopy ”.
Hernández explained that routine checkups should be scheduled by specialists, and not scheduled on their own. “The first step is to make a consultation with the doctor, who is who will determine the frequency of the check-ups that should be carried out in the future, in addition to keeping track of your weight, height and blood pressure. Perform laboratory tests at least every year or six months as required ”.
Nor should you neglect your diet. Hernández recommended: “Make three meals that include vegetables, fruit, cereal, legumes and foods of animal origin at established times, include a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, avoid the consumption of sugary foods and beverages with a high fat content; consume 6 to 8 glasses of plain drinking water daily ”.
REVIEW THE TIPS
1.Healthy eating
• Eat three meals that include vegetables, fruit, cereal, legumes, and foods of animal origin.
• Have established schedules that include a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack.
• Avoid sugary and high-fat foods and drinks.
• Consume 6 to 8 glasses of plain drinking water daily.
2 routine check-ups
• The first step is to make a consultation with the doctor, who will determine the frequency of the check-ups to be carried out in the future.
• Keep track of weight, height and blood pressure.
• Perform laboratory tests at least every year or six months as warranted.
3.Keep a schedule for gynecological check-ups
• Women ages 40 to 75 should have a mammogram annually, especially if they have a history of breast cancer in close relatives (mother, sisters, daughters).
• From the age of 25, and especially between the ages of 35 and 64, it is recommended that women have an annual Pap smear.
• They should also have a colposcopy to prevent cervical cancer.
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