Be proactive when it comes to your health
Some say women are acutely aware of their bodies. We know we must go to the doctor for our yearly physicals and Pap tests to rule out X, Y and Z. But a recent health study called the Women's College Hospital X-Effects Health Index reveals that many women don't understand enough about how chronic illness and diseases could affect them.
Disease differentiates between sexes
"When it comes to health, women and men are just not the same," says Marilyn Emery, CEO of Women's College Hospital in Toronto. "[In the study,] we wanted to find out how well Canadian women understand that symptoms, diagnoses, treatments and medications may be different because of their gender."
The study revealed that women need access to more information about chronic diseases and illnesses so that they can take charge of their health and adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
Talk to your doctor
If you only head to the doctor when something is wrong, you may be missing out on important health care. Dr. Danielle Martin, a family physician at Women's College Hospital, recommends engaging in what doctors refer to as self-care and self-management. This means taking proactive steps to maximize your health between medical appointments. "The doctor is not just a place to go when you're sick, it's a place to go to keep yourself well," she says.
That's not to say you should bombard your doctor with questions about every major disease; rather, understand your risks for disease based on your age, family medical history and lifestyle. Then you can focus on getting answers that address your core concerns.
The Women's Health Matters website offers 10 important questions that women should discuss with their doctors based on relevancy to their lives.
How can I take charge of my health?
To improve your overall health, take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercising, getting enough sleep and having a balanced diet. "Those kinds of basic things can go a long way," says Dr. Martin.
Dr. Martin's proactive steps for women's health include:
-Regular screening and prevention for common illnesses
-Mammograms every one to two years after the age of 50
-Colon cancer screening every one to two years after the age of 50
-Regular Pap tests
-Taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis
-Updated immunizations
Disease differentiates between sexes
"When it comes to health, women and men are just not the same," says Marilyn Emery, CEO of Women's College Hospital in Toronto. "[In the study,] we wanted to find out how well Canadian women understand that symptoms, diagnoses, treatments and medications may be different because of their gender."
The study revealed that women need access to more information about chronic diseases and illnesses so that they can take charge of their health and adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
Talk to your doctor
If you only head to the doctor when something is wrong, you may be missing out on important health care. Dr. Danielle Martin, a family physician at Women's College Hospital, recommends engaging in what doctors refer to as self-care and self-management. This means taking proactive steps to maximize your health between medical appointments. "The doctor is not just a place to go when you're sick, it's a place to go to keep yourself well," she says.
That's not to say you should bombard your doctor with questions about every major disease; rather, understand your risks for disease based on your age, family medical history and lifestyle. Then you can focus on getting answers that address your core concerns.
The Women's Health Matters website offers 10 important questions that women should discuss with their doctors based on relevancy to their lives.
How can I take charge of my health?
To improve your overall health, take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercising, getting enough sleep and having a balanced diet. "Those kinds of basic things can go a long way," says Dr. Martin.
Dr. Martin's proactive steps for women's health include:
-Regular screening and prevention for common illnesses
-Mammograms every one to two years after the age of 50
-Colon cancer screening every one to two years after the age of 50
-Regular Pap tests
-Taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis
-Updated immunizations