A few easy steps you can take to prioritize your health in May range from scheduling regular checkups with your doctor getting ample rest eating healthy finding a fitness routine that works for you and many more Read along as we delve into more detail on how you can make May the month you prioritize your health and use it as a jumping board for healthy habits
Schedule Visits with Your Doctor
Scheduling regular checkups is crucial for everyones well being but women have unique health needs which make annual check ups an integral part of a womans overall health Dr Camille Pearte Senior Medical Director at Fidelis Care sheds light on why more women have missed their health care appointments since the pandemic began During the pandemic we know that many women took on new roles and responsibilities including working from home homeschooling their children and being a multi generational family caregiver Pearte said Women have often prioritized their familys health and wellness over their own But despite the increase in responsibilities it remains vital for women to keep their yearly appointments
Women should also go on annual visits to their doctors for their pelvic health Pudendal nerve neuralgia gets common as women age due to pregnancy menopause and many more Pudendal nerve neuralgia also known as pudendal neuropathy or pudendal neuralgia is a type of chronic pain that affects the pudendal nerve in the pelvic region
Individuals who experience pudendal nerve neuralgia must seek medical attention and work with their healthcare provider to find the best treatment plan
Annual exams allow your physician to monitor your health from year to year so they can catch or prevent any possible issues early on This is also a good time to discuss the appropriate screenings based on your age While tests in your 20s will continue to be the same in your 30s and even 40s as you get older new screenings will be required
During these unprecedented times ask your provider if an in person or telehealth visit is right for you In the meantime check out the Fidelis Care YouTube for more inspiring information about womens health
Clean Up Your Eating
We all know a balanced diet and healthy eating can go a long way to aiding in our overall lifestyle The struggle with creating healthy eating habits however is the plethora of various diets and trends out there that guarantee results in almost record time While you can spend hours on end researching the latest fads a safe baseline is to resort to a clean eating lifestyle the best you can
Clean eating focuses on avoiding processed foods and foods that are generally healthier Shifting toward a clean eating approach has numerous benefits to your overall health and can also help your wallet as youll be finding yourself eating out less
Here are a few ways you can easily incorporate clean eating into your lifestyle
Start Cooking at Home
Cooking your own meals is a great way to control what you eat and knowing exactly what youre putting into your body While this is a time consuming process we know it isnt completely practical to cook each and every meal
Taking the time to prepare meals ahead of time can lead to a healthier lifestyle and also save you on dining out expenses
Opt for More Color
When it comes time to hit the grocery store try opting for more colorful foods like vegetables and fruits Fruits arent only a great option for snacking but also provide you with natural sugars and carbohydrates that are good for your body
Adding a leafy salad a few times a week is a simple way to bring more greens into your life and also offer natural vitamins and minerals to your diet
Dont Drink Your Calories
Often times when people cant lose weight they blame it on their food consumption While this may be the case it can also be the drinks theyre consuming Sugary drinks cocktails and even that creamer in your coffee can add up to plenty of calories over time and eventually weight gain
Be smart with your drink of choice by choosing zero calorie beverages such as water or sparkling water ditch the sugary mixers and start drinking your coffee black or use a lower calorie creamer like almond milk
Find a Fitness Routine You Enjoy
As with diet fads workout routines can be difficult to find whats right for you but also something you can maintain and stick with over time If you find yourself sore for days after a workout this may be a sign your body either is not used to this type of exercise or the routine is too strenuous
Luckily there are hundreds of workouts for women to discover and pick from Finding a fitness routine and regularly exercising can help women boost their mood maintain a healthy weight and even lead to better sleep Exercising can also help fight off high blood pressure anxiety depression and a number of other health irregularities
Focus on Your Sleep
We sleep for nearly 33 of our lives so making sure we are getting good sleep is important Women need on average 7 8 hours of sleep per night and ample quality sleep comes with a number of health benefits that extend to your waking hours Consistently getting a good nights rest combined with a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain a healthy weight reduce stress think more clearly and allow you to form more healthy relationships
With how busy life is however we know getting ample sleep isnt always that easy despite knowing how important it is If you find yourself struggling to get enough sleep think about what you do the hour or so before bed Do you spend a lot of time streaming shows or getting lost on social media These are just a few factors that may be taking away from the quality of sleep you get at night Fitness wearables like Whoop can help you dive into understanding how your body recovers and responds to certain events or activities you take part in Understanding how your body works can help you in finding the right balance and striking the chord to quality sleep
How can women get properly diagnosed for sleep apnea
Fortunately doctors are receiving better education on the prevalence of sleep apnea in women and recognizing the increased risk factors they have for developing OSA However with proper education for patients women themselves can better recognize the risk factors for developing OSA and avoid improper diagnosis
In addition to menopausal status and drug failure clinicians need to be aware of the tendency to diagnose based on gender stereotypes Says Dr Randazzo How women answer questions may mislead the clinician to assume the problem is insomnia be
cause they report how they feel when they are trying to get to sleep makes it sound like insomnia instead of sleep apnea
Here are some symptoms and risk factors typical of women with sleep apnea
Symptoms
Snoring even light snoring
Full or partial cessations of breathing during sleep
fatigue
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
General lack of energy during the day
High blood pressure that is difficult to control with medication
Frequent trips to the bathroom during the night
Disturbed sleepwaking often in the middle of the night
Unrefreshing sleep
Fibromyalgia
Hypothyroidism
Risk factors
Womens risk for developing OSA increases as they transition through menopause Women are three times more likely to have post menopausal sleep apnea than pre menopausal Reasons for post menopausal OSA include weight gain and unclear hormonal changes
Prior to menopause many women may develop upper airway resistance syndrome wich can develop into sleep apnea after menopause
Women with a neck circumference greater than 16 inches
Women aged 55 70 years are 14 more likely to have severe OSA
Obese women aged 50 70 are 31 more likely to have OSA
Women are more likely to develop co morbid conditions such as anxiety and depression than men
The risk for developing OSA among women with poly cystic ovarian syndrome can be as high as 70
Pregnancy can increase the risk of developing OSA Untreated OSA in pregnant women can lead to complications during pregnancy including high blood pressure enlarged heart pulmonary blood clots more frequent preeclampsia neonatal intensive care unit admissions and cesarean delivery
Final Thoughts
Womens Health Month is about prioritizing not only your physical but mental health as well Taking the time to reflect on where your health stands on multiple levels can help give yourself a baseline of where you need to start what you need to work on and what matters are more pressing than others
From scheduling a regular visit with your doctor focusing on consistent quality sleep clean eating and sticking to a fitness routine you will be well on your way to enhancing your life in more ways than one
If you believe that your sleep troubles may be due to sleep apnea rather than another sleep disorder contact a sleep specialist and ask if a sleep study is right for you
If you live in Alaska and would like to schedule a sleep study contact The Alaska Sleep Clinic and receive a free 10 minute phone consultation with a sleep educator Our clinic is owned operated and mostly staffed by women who can help provide top quality comprehensive care for our female patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea
