Everybody needs air, food, and water, but women’s bodies have specific requirements. Women’s History Month is a great time to put a spotlight on them.
Nutrition
In general, women need more iron and folate than men. Folate is a group of B vitamins, and folic acid is its synthetic form that is added to many foods. Even if you’re not planning a pregnancy, aim for 18 milligrams of iron and 400–800 milligrams of folate daily to stay healthy. Great sources of folate include:
- Beans
- Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale
- Citrus fruits
- Beef liver
Screenings
- A Pap test should be performed every three years.
- Cholesterol screenings should start at 45 and repeat every five years.
- Prediabetes and diabetes testing is recommended beginning at age 35.
- A mammogram for women 45 to 54 should happen every year; every two years for women over 54.
- Bone density screenings every other year for women 65 and older is recommended.
- A mental health screening is recommended for women at any age when they notice long-term mood changes.
This is guidance for the general population. People who have or have had these problems, a family history of them, or risk factors for them, should be tested as early and often as their doctors recommend.
Signs of a Heart Attack
Many of us know that shooting pains in the left is a tell-tale sign of a heart attack … in men.
Heart attacks often present differently in women. Sudden nausea, stomachache, pain in the left or right arm, back or jaw pain, and shortness of breath are common symptoms of a heart attack in women. Early intervention increases the chances of survival and good recovery, so it’s important that everyone knows what a heart attack in women looks like.
Women’s health is important every month, but March is a good time for women to check in with their bodies.
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