Women's Health

Though men and women may have similar immunity levels, it is their individual social behavior that may define their health conditions. This is particularly worth emphasizing on with regard to sexually transmitted diseases.

For decades now, one of the most feared diseases is still rampant. Surprisingly, AIDS is a rampant disease in many parts of the world, including developed countries. You will be surprised to learn about some of the statistics regarding this disease, which are, to say the least, appalling.

HIV STATISTICS SHOWS MORE FEMALES ARE INFECTED THAN MALES

According to statistics, it is known now that women are almost 2 to 2.5 times more likely to get infected with HIV Positive than men are. This is clearly the result of social behavior by people regarding their sexual activity.

Men, especially where there are lower literacy rates tend to indulge in unprotected sex. This is something very harmful because of the fact that diseases are transmitted easily. They do not realize the amount of risk they put their own families, as they do not consider that they are vulnerable to becoming germ carriers after becoming HIV Positive. Not just with AIDS, but with other contractible diseases such as syphilis, men can pose threats to their families. Besides spreading diseases to their family, their sexual behavior, if promiscuous, may result in many other women becoming infected.

In more developed parts of the world, the statistics are not optimistic as one might assume them to be. This is because people are careless often enough, and do not really consider the results of their actions at times. They need to take precautions and do so seriously. People in developed countries should not have a problem using the information about HIV infection that they have been provided with. It is indeed a real shame when this vital information is not heeded.

Though there are several ways for one to prevent a pregnancy occurring, it must be asserted that there are limited means of preventing the spread of a sexually transmitted disease. The contraceptive sheath is probably the only known successful method of protecting the spread of the AIDS virus. It is believed to be the responsibility of men to make sure that they use a contraceptive sheath for sexual activity.

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE DURING SEXUAL ACTIVITIES

Taking a look at women and the precautions they can take during sexual activity reveals that they do not have much choice. They have to make sure that their partners use a contraceptive sheath. The other methods of protection only protect them from conceiving and do little to protect them from contracting a disease.

Women, especially in under developed countries, cannot always make sure their partners use a contraceptive sheath. This is perhaps the main reason why more women than men are HIV Positive. More recently, female contraceptive sheaths have been developed, and women who wear these are thought to be better off.

Resistance Training for Osteoporosis and Older Women's Health

Simply put, osteoporosis is a disease condition where the bone tissue thins and becomes fragile. In the actual clinical setting, a patient with bone mineral density of less than 2.5 standard deviations (unit of measuring the bone density through DXA) is officially diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Bones in the body constantly undergo destruction and formation caused by the bone forming cells called the osteoblast and bone destroying cells called the osteoclasts. Osteoporosis plays around three main factors causing the bones to become fragile or brittle. These factors include: too much bone destruction, insufficient bone formation and lesser development of bone mineral density.

Older women are more vulnerable to this condition primarily after the menopausal period since the hormone estrogen rapidly declines. Estrogen inhibits "osteoclastic" activity or bone destruction. Without this hormone, bone formation cannot compensate with the magnitude of bone disintegration.

The Power of Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure. Without prevention, bones become frail and could easily break. Some of the very vulnerable bones include those that carry the greatest weights of the body including the hips and the spine. Hip fractures are difficult to repair surgically because of the irregularity of its shape. Fractures along the spine would be very dangerous because within it is the delicate spinal cord - the body's indirect connection to the brain. A slight deviation of this cord would be detrimental to health and functioning.

Strengthening the Bones

Before reaching the menopausal stage for women and andropausal stage for men, it would be important to take calcium supplements and foods that have high calcium content to prevent osteoporosis from occurring. A minimum of about 1200 mg of Calcium should be taken in daily to support normal body functions. Calcium supplements are also available if the diet cannot supply these amount. Milk, cheese, yogurts, salmon, sardines, okra, beans and almonds are just some of the best sources of calcium there is. Vitamin D3 supplements are also available which promote calcium absorption from the diet and aid in calcium storage.

What to Avoid

Increased blood acidity counteracts bone formation. It would be wise to avoid foods that increase acidity and these include the common soft drinks, most alcoholic beverages, strong vinegars and the like. Smoking is also has a similar effect to acids in preventing "osteoblastic" (bone forming cells) activities and also breakdown estrogen (which inhibits bone destruction).

Resistance Training and Weight Bearing Exercises

Weight bearing exercises cause bone stress. Bone stress stimulates osteoclasts to breakdown bone and release calcium used by the brain and the nerves to issue commands to the body. Constant bone stress prompts the body to compensate by increasing bone formation making bones more dense than it previously was. Resistance training tones the muscles that are connected to bones by ligaments. Active muscles interact well with the bones in producing enough bone stress thus, further bone formation.

Some of the Beneficial Exercises for Osteoporosis

For individuals far from the menopausal stage, weight bearing exercises like moderate intensity jogging, running, hiking, cycling, and active sports like tennis and badminton are advisable activities. People with low bone mineral density however, need to be more careful having safety as the primary concern. Low to moderate exercises are advised with minimal twisting, stretching, and strain to the weight bearing areas. Other helpful resistance exercises for the individuals with healthy bones include side planks, suspended triceps dips, push ups, pull ups, crunches, sit ups, lunges, trunk lifts, squats, jumping jacks and many more.

Discover The Benefits of Probiotics for Women's Health

The health benefits of probiotics for digestive health have long been known but recently, the focus has been shifting towards the positive effects of probiotics for women's health. According to several studies conducted in various laboratories around the world, the presence of probiotic bacteria can do so much for women's health, both in terms of preventive and therapeutic purposes.

For starters, a healthy amount of these good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can help maintain a balanced digestive system, which enables the body to break down food more efficiently and get as much nutrients as possible from this food.

Some of the Health Benefits of Probiotics for Women are:

* Well-balanced urogenital flora. These good bacteria are essential for urogenital health because they can keep the area protected against many types of pathogens.

* Less painful menstrual cycle. They can signifhcantly reduce the symptoms of PMS and can even alleviate some of the painful signs of menopause.

* Lower susceptibility to urinary tract infections. A fairly common problem in women, UTI can be prevented if you maintain a healthy level of probiotic microorganisms in your body.

* Prevention of many serious health conditions. By enhancing digestive health, these friendly micro-organisms can ultimately help you avoid succumbing to health problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and many ailments stemming from a poor immune system.

Considering these benefits, there is no doubt that probiotics for women can certainly be helpful. But the question that is being posed by many health experts today is whether taking probiotic supplements is enough to make a substantial difference.

One of the issues that have been raised is the high probability of the good bacteria dying before reaching the intestines. They may either be digested completely by the pepsin in the stomach or they simply may not have enough food to live on as they make their way into your digestive tract.

In any case, if the good bacteria die out, they will obviously be useless. One solution to this is to also take a good prebiotic supplement that will provide sustenance for these good bacteria and keep them working in your favor.

Hence, although probiotics for women are beneficial, you will maximize the benefits by taking a supplement that can provide you the benefits of both probiotics and prebiotics in a single capsule, like those that are made from kiwi, for instance.

Kiwi is one of the best natural sources of phenolic compounds, soluble fibers and digestive enzymes, which are all essential to maintaining a healthy and balanced digestive system. These same components are also crucial to the prevention of UTI and vaginal infections, as well as many other health problems common among women. In other words, a good kiwi-based supplement is indeed a more preferable alternative to regular probiotics for women.

Choosing a kiwi-based supplement is definitely the right decision but you still need to be able to differentiate between the different products available. You need to find the supplements that include the skin of the kiwi because this is where most of the prebiotics are. You should also avoid the products that were made using heat-based procedures because this can destroy the enzymes in the fruit.

By making your choice wisely, you can definitely enjoy a lot of health benefits and be protected from many of the issues that typically plague women's health.

Women's Health Requirements for Life

Women are unique individuals each facing different health issues affected by diet, environment, heredity etc. However they generally fall into three age categories.

Women's Health Age 20-35

Although women in this age group generally have fewer health problems than their older sisters they usually experience higher levels of stress compared to older women. The challenges of balancing children, career, and personal life can be stressful. During this demanding time in a woman's life it is essential to make sure that you receive the proper nutrients to meet the energy levels your busy schedule demands. Doing so will keep you healthier now and build a good foundation for a healthy future.

The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is certainly true in the area of skin care. Now is a good time to start taking care of your skin to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles down the road. A little sun is healthy, but too much can set the stage for skin cancers of all types.

Speaking of pounds, maintaining a healthy weight now will make staying healthy in your future years easier. Losing a few excess pounds is easier now than in midlife. Exercise and a diet full of nutritious foods is the best way to do this.

Women's Health Age 35-50

As women enter their 30's they begin a slow process of ending their reproductive years. This is known as perimenopause. Actual menopause is reached when your body has not experience your monthly cycle for one year. Perimenopause can last up to ten years. Every woman's body is different and the duration and intensity of perimenopausal symptoms varies. If you experience at least 3 of the following symptoms you are probably entering perimenopause: moodiness, irritability, menstrual changes, sleeping disturbances, bloating/water retention, hot flashes, mild to moderate depression. Studies have shown that consuming phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms.

This is also the time when laugh lines and crow's feet begin to show up, along with the dreaded double chin. As your skin ages collagen and elastin begin to break down, causing it to lose its firm supple appearance. New skin cell production begins to slow down and this may lead to a dry, dull complexion. Your scalp also is aging and this may lead to dull, brittle, even thinning hair.

Women's health 50 and beyond

The major concerns for this group are heart health, keeping bones strong, and preserving healthy joints. It is vital to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to help prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.

Your skin will have matured as well. It now takes your skins cells twice as long to replace themselves as it did at age 20. Oil production decreases, leaving your skin significantly drier. Skin becomes thinner with age, making wrinkles, dropping, and irritation more likely. Years of sun exposure can make the skin tone uneven.

One way to be sure to get the nutrients you need is to take a good multi vitamin. This should be made of all natural ingredients, and cold-processed to retain enzyme activity. Make sure that your vitamin provider does clinical studies to prove delivery of the nutrients in their product, and is willing to publish the results.

Women's Health Supplements

There is a huge variety of health supplements available on the market. Are there health supplements that are specifically formulated and intended for women? Yes, there are. Women have special health needs that must be addressed. Of course, good nutrition and regular exercise are two important pillars of good health. Sadly, many of today?s processed and chemically treated food products lack the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal women?s health. Also, a hectic and busy lifestyle and pollution can further worsen the nutritional deficiencies.

Health supplements are vital to strengthen a woman?s immune system and fill in the nutritional ?gaps? that are not met by regular food intake. Special attention must be given to various health issues that are more prevalent in women. These include breast cancer, obesity, premenstrual syndrome, osteoporosis, menopause, pregnancy and fertility, heart disease, hypertension, and skin care.

Fortunately, there are now health supplements available targeted specifically for women. Most of these health supplements are packed with vitamins and minerals that help boost a woman?s general health as well as fortify her body?s immune system. For instance, health supplements with amino acids and antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) are good for preventing cancer.

Calcium and magnesium are effective in reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Vitamin E is essential in keeping the skin healthy and vibrant as well as improving the body?s defense system. Calcium and vitamin D are vital in preventing the onset of osteoporosis. Folic acid is a good supplement that pregnant women can take to prevent defects in the baby?s neurological system. Needless to say, there is a huge variety of supplements that meet the health needs of women.

Most of these are readily available in drugstores as well as in specialty health supplement stores. Still, it is important to note that these supplements cannot take the place of good diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, these health supplements are vital in providing the necessary vitamins and minerals that women need.