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April Health Tip from Dr. Hahn-Cover

Preventive Health Recommendations for Women

At Fairview Internal Medicine, we can take care of all of your preventive health needs, whether you are female or male. This month, we would like to focus on current preventive health recommendations for women. There are many things you can do, both with and without your doctor's help, to improve your health and prevent disease.

Regular aerobic exercise is very important for good health. If your weight is healthy, your exercise goal should be at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days. If you are overweight, your exercise goal should be 60 to 90 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days. You will know you are getting cardiovascular benefit if you exercise hard enough to be a bit winded, and a bit sweaty. You do not need to get all of your daily exercise in one block; in fact, you may do better with two or three shorter blocks of more intense exercise. Weight-bearing exercise (walking, jogging, aerobics, weight-lifting) helps to keep your bones strong, in addition to the benefits it brings to your heart and lungs.

Following a healthy diet is also important. Your diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Low-fat or skim dairy products can help you reach your daily calcium goals. Teenagers, pregnant women and postmenopausal women should try to get 4 to 5 servings of calcium-rich foods daily; reproductive-aged women who are not pregnant should try to get 3 or 4 servings of calcium-rich foods daily. Limiting animal fats in your diet is healthy for your heart. Your doctor can help you decide whether you will benefit from any dietary supplements.

Discuss your vaccines with your doctor. A tetanus booster is recommended every 10 years. Other vaccines may be important for you, depending on your health and your prior vaccinations. Please bring your vaccination records to your next appointment, if you have not done so already.

We can take care of your gynecologic/well-woman screening at Fairview Internal Medicine. We recommend annual breast exams, to be done by your doctor. We recommend mammogram screening every one to two years, beginning at age 40, and yearly after age 50. We recommend Papanicolau (Pap) smear screening annually, starting by age 18. If you are under 18, talk with your doctor about whether you will benefit from Pap smear screening. Pap smears may be done less frequently, particularly in women over age 65; your doctor can determine how often you should have Pap smears.

Every woman over 50 should have screening for colorectal cancer, even with no history of bowel problems or family history of colorectal cancer. There are several screening options. Ask your doctor which screening test is best for you.

Most women should have a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis by age 65; some younger women need screening, as well. Your doctor can help you understand whether you will benefit from bone density screening.

For more information:
MU Health Sciences Library