Ladies, When Was Your Last Check-Up?
Today is National Women’s Health Checkup Day part of National Women’s Health Week.
Women’s health covers many issues. With work, family and children it is amazing there is any time at all to schedule your next appointment! Yet, women often overlook their own health according to the 2006 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Putting ourselves last is having an effect. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 36% of women over 20 are obese and only 25% of us engage in activity that lasts 10 minutes or longer three times a week.
Inactivity and being overweight are just two of the risk factors for heart disease, the leading cause of death of women in the United States, according to the CDC. Rounding out the top five killers of women are:
- Heart Disease,
- Cancer,
- Stroke,
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases, and
- Alzheimer’s disease.
Ladies, stop putting yourself last and schedule your check-up today! Remember to treat your doctor appointment like a business meeting and go in prepared:
Make a list, check it twice.
Keep a note of questions or concerns you’d like to discuss with your doctor. Take charge of the appointment by advising your doctor what you want to discuss when s/he greets you. I literally pull out my list and keep it with me and do not leave until I feel my questions and concerns have been addressed.
For example, when I completed a half marathon up Pike’s Peak I made sure to request a medication that would help me deal with altitude. Although I still became sick, I am positive the medication helped me acclimate enabling me to finish-- even if I was blue, cold and practically crawling across.
May I get a copy, too?
Also always ask for a copy of any lab results. Why? Because I want to know where my numbers lie within the ranges. Knowing your numbers and learning what they mean will help you take better control of your health.
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