Newswise — National Women's Health Week (May 13-19) began yesterday, as it does every year, on Mother's Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate advances in women's health, bring attention to areas that need more research or better public understanding, and educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.
The theme of this year's celebration is "It's Your Time! Pamper Your Mind, Body, and Spirit." It might sound like a frivolous focus, but it contains a serious and important health message.
Taking time for yourself " and taking the time to care for yourself " is essential to good health. But in today's world, we are all pressed for time. It is easy for women to lose sight of the importance of caring for themselves.
From our careers to our families, our plates are full. Women are the primary caregivers in our society, making three-quarters of all health care decisions, making sure that everyone from our children to our aging parents receives the care they need. We often carry out this role at our own expense, delaying our own care or ignoring potential health problems.
In the long run, we have to realize that success in our professional or personal lives or in our role as caregiver is dependent on our own health. With that in mind, we have to be advocates for our health.
Several reports in recent years, however, indicate that many women struggle to communicate effectively with their health care providers.
Women report not getting enough time with physicians during office visits, not being prepared when they go to see their doctors, and not being sufficiently engaged in the "shared decision making model" that now defines the care system. Reversing this trend begins with recognizing that communication between physician and patient is a two-way responsibility.
No one, including your doctors and nurses, knows your health and your history as well as you do. Doctors don't have all the answers. A 2005 American Heart Association study revealed that only 8 percent of primary care physicians and 17 percent of cardiologists knew that heart disease kills more women than men.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Always prepare for your doctors' office visits so that you get the most out of the time available. The doctor's office can be intimidating, even for highly educated and professional people. Writing down questions ahead of time can reduce the anxiety many of us experience. You also can call your doctor's office before your visit and talk to a nurse about any tests you have scheduled or to discuss other concerns.
You should never ignore symptoms of potential illness and every adult woman should see a doctor annually. Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, have it checked out. If a doctor doesn't take your concerns seriously, seek a second opinion.
Many conditions that predominantly affect women are difficult to diagnose because they have not been thoroughly studied or because they were studied only in men; doctors don't always recognize the symptoms. This is true in the case of autoimmune illnesses, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is your best chance to successfully cope with these conditions, which can be debilitating or fatal.
If left untreated, small health problems can grow into major problems. Diabetes and depression may begin at a young age and can have long-term negative effects on your heart health.
All of this work to stay healthy sure sounds like a burden. But the alternative is much worse.
For yourself and for your loved ones, heed this year's women's health week message: take time for yourself. Take time to care for yourself. It is the best Mother's Day gift any woman can give herself and it enables us to resume our work of taking care of the rest of the world.
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