May: National Woman's Health History month
 

There are many diseases/illnesses that are prevalent to women (all women). Many of us may not know what these illnesses/diseases are. Please list some of the common or uncommon health issues we as women should be aware of.

Disease:
Lupus

Issue:
-intake of folic acid

FYI
 

Fibroids are a benign tumor of the uterus. They are not cancers. However, they do have a rich blood supply and cause bleeding and pain. Fibroids are also known by the names LEIOMYOMA UTERI, LEIOMYOMA, or MYOMA.

They are an extremely important public health issue, especially for women, because:
Fibroids are the most common tumor that grows in the pelvis of women


50 - 80% of women have fibroids

Fibroids are the most common indication for hysterectomy (the most frequently performed major surgical proceedure in the U.S.)

Fibroids are responsible for at least 1/3 of admissions of women to a gynocological hospital service

Every year there are 500,000 - 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the U.S. at a cost of four billion dollars. At least 30% of this cost is due to fibroids.

http://www.gynalternatives.com/fibroids.htm

Heart Disease
 

Heart disease caused by increase blood cholesterol levels usually does not start in a woman until she reaches menopause. But relative to her male counterparts, the risk of having a heart attack are similar. Having high cholesterol levels are similar between a man and woman at that point. Moreover, the development of atherosclerosis which can lead to heart attacks and stroke are the same. In fact, cardiovascular disease and heart disease in particular, are the leading cause of death for post-menopausal women...

So ladies, keep a low-fat or non-fat diet in mind as a preventative measure in addition to hormone replacement therapy after menopause in accordance with your physicans.

Sincerely,

Dr. AKAMonet