It's always family that comes first to a woman! Women make a lot of sacrifices for their family at the cost of their own health. How should a woman know how healthy she is?
The following tests are the definite way to truly assess your health on a scientific basis. It's not how healthy you feel on a personal basis, but rather allowing the numbers of the test results to speak for you. Do not ignore them. These tests will do you more good than harm!
Anaemia
Anaemia is a blood disorder that's quite common among women. It's a condition arising due to not having sufficiently healthy numbers of red blood cells in one's blood to supply the different organs and tissues with the required healthy quantity of oxygen. Since women are prone to blood loss during their periods, they are at a higher risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia.
12 gram per decilitre or g/dL is the normal healthy haemoglobin level. It's advised to undergo at least 1 test on an annual basis. As part of this test, ferritin, haemoglobin, and haematocrit levels are analyzed, and so also the size and colour of red blood cells are observed and verified if they appear normal.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor bone health, polycystic ovary syndrome, and depression among women. Fatigue, weakness of muscles, and bone pain are symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency. Not being sufficiently exposed to sunlight, and one's diet not being able to fulfill the body's requirement of vitamin d leads to deficiency.
Presence of 20 to 50 ng/mL or nanograms/millilitre of Vitamin D is optimum and can be considered healthy. The 25-hydroxyVitamin D test gives an accurate measurement of Vitamin D in one's body. Any level less than 12 ng/mL is an indication of Vitamin D deficiency.
Calcium Deficiency
With passing age women become more prone to developing Osteoporosis. A healthy diet provides one's body with enough calcium that is needed by the body. However, one never knows they are calcium deficient unless they've suffered a bone fracture due to bone loss.
An annual test is advised to rule out calcium deficiency. Calcium levels below 8.8 mg/dL confirms calcium deficiency disease, otherwise known by the name Hypocalcemia.
Pelvic Exams and Pap Smear Test
Women above the age of 21 years are advised to take these tests on an annual basis. These tests help rule out cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is observed to be the second most leading cause for mortality among women. It is only screening on a regular basis that helps keep cervical cancer at bay.
A pelvic exam is a visual and physical examination conducted by a doctor of a woman's reproductive organs. The uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, and vulva are examined to rule out abnormalities and confirmation of being in good health.
A pap smear test is done to verify the health of the cervical cells and to rule out any abnormal growths in either the uterus or the cervix.
Breast Exams and Mammograms
Women above 20 years of age are advised to undergo breast exams on a regular basis to rule out the presence of lumps and other abnormalities in the breasts. Presence of these are tell-tale signs of breast cancer. A doctor makes a manual examination, or one can also self-examine.
An X-Ray image of the breast is a mammogram. A mammogram is aimed at the early detection of breast cancer by attempting the detection of microcalcifications, which are masses of a certain characteristic. Beyond the age of 40 years, a mammogram is recommended to be taken every 2 years.