CONTACT: SCOTT
COSTELLO
(662) 377-2404
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for an electronic version of this article.
WOMEN’S HEALTH—AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION
IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE
TUPELO--We have all heard the old saying
that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For women, that ounce of
prevention should include exercise and a healthy diet as well as annual visits
to a physician.
“It’s pretty unfortunate but women in this area won’t see a
doctor unless there’s something seriously wrong with them,” says Dr. Harkins.
“They may get the information about diagnostic tests and screenings but most
women think it doesn’t affect them. It’s sad.”
While preventive health starts with a
healthy diet and exercise as well as avoiding smoking, drugs and alcohol, it
should also include annual physicals.
For women of all ages, the annual
physical should include a blood pressure measurement, a clinical breast
examination, and an internal or pelvic exam and
Pap smear.
Annual mammograms are recommended for women
over age 40 to detect any breast abnormalities. Breast cancer is the most
common form of cancer in women,
affecting one out of every eight females. Besides the annual
mammograms, women should also perform breast self-examinations monthly,
according to Harkins.
“We try to not only remind people to do that, but to teach them
how to do a self- examination,” Dr. Harkins says. “In some cases, they don’t
know what they’re looking for. So we let them know what’s normal and what to
watch for.”
Women who have a family history of
osteoporosis or are over age 35 should have annual bone density screenings to
determine their risk for osteoporosis.
Depending on their age and family
medical history, there are several other screenings that women should have,
including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screening.
Between annual checkups, Dr. Harkins
says it is important for women to keep a close eye on their health.
“What’s important for women is to
recognize any changes in their body,”
Dr. Harkins says. “If something is wrong, they need to be aware of
it. A year could pass before it could be caught in their next exam.”
IMA-Tupelo, located at 845 S. Madison St. in Tupelo, is one of
more than 40 physician offices affiliated with North Mississippi Medical
Clinics, an affiliate of North Mississippi Medical Center. Staffed by internal
medicine physicians trained to care for the whole person, young or old,
IMA-Tupelo’s physicians provide the personal care of a general practitioner
with a specialist’s understanding of medical care.
For more information on women’s
services offered by IMA-Tupelo and other NMMC physician offices throughout the
area, call 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).
Now more than ever,
women are raising their consciousness of the unique needs and challenges they
face in managing their own health. NMMC has developed a series of free
brochures dedicated to women’s health concerns. To receive your free women’s
health services packet, call 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).
Stepping Stones to Good Health
Here are five steps you can take to help live longer, live better
and live happier:
• Get Checked: Get regular checkups, preventive exams and
immunizations. Don’t forget self-exams, too.
• Eat Smart: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. Enjoy a
variety of foods, balance foods from each food group and exercise in
moderation. Choose the leanest cuts of meats and cut back on fried foods.
• Get Moving: Just 30 minutes of physical activity, accumulated
over the course of each day, can radically improve the way you look and feel,
both physically and mentally. Women of all ages benefit from a moderate amount
of exercise. Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of heart disease,
diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, muscle and joint disorders and
more.
• Don’t Smoke: It’s the leading preventable cause of death in our
country. When you quit smoking, your heartbeat slows to normal and your lungs
begin to clear and repair themselves.
• Be Good to Your Bones: For healthy bones, be sure to replenish
your stock of calcium every day with plenty of foods like milk and diary
products, leafy green vegetables and calcium-fortified juices or breads.
Sidebar:
Did you know?
The leading illnesses for women age 18 to 39:
• Sinus infection, tonsillitis, bronchitis; nose, throat and upper
respiratory
conditions
• Sports injuries, broken bones, sprains; musculoskeletal and soft
tissue
injuries
• Urinary problems
• Sexually transmitted disease
The leading causes of death for women age 18 to 39:
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Heart disease
• Homicide
• AIDS
• Stroke or brain attack
• Cancer--The leading cause of cancer deaths for this age group is
lung cancer
caused by smoking
To learn more about how you can take
charge of your health and to schedule
an appointment with a female health care provider, call 1-800-THE
DESK (1-800-843-3375).
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