The Healthiest Cities for Women

Look to the Future

Raleigh, North Carolina

What does it take to be number one? A smart dose of prevention something the women of healthiest overall city Raleigh know well. A whopping 90 percent of them have perfect Pap smear timing (the American Cancer Society recommends that women over 30 who have had three normal Pap tests in a row get one every three years), and 81 percent of those over 40 stay on track with regular mammograms. Both tests can save lives by detecting cancers early. “It’s very important to be proactive about preventive measures that have proven benefits,” says Andrew Berchuck, M.D., director of gynecological oncology at Duke University Medical Center. Ask your doctor how often you should be screened, and while you’re at it, get a physical (yes, even if you feel totally fine).

Let 'Em See You Sweat

San Jose, California

Give some people 300-plus days of sun a year and they might spend it lounging on the beach. Not these women, who rank second in our survey for overall fitness as well as for the number of women who run, swim, or lift weights. Sure, all that sweat can lead to a tight, toned body; it can also lead to top-notch health. Moderate exercise enhances the immune system and can strengthen your respiratory muscles, says Peggy Plato, Ph.D., an associate professor of kinesiology at San Jose State University. Accordingly, this city’s gals have a very low death rate from chronic lower-respiratory disease (i.e., lung problems, a major female threat). If the view from your window is more snowy than sunny, strap on some cross¬country skis or snowshoes (exercising with either scorches 490 calories an hour!) or stay inside and try alternating pushups, squats, and planks with jogging or climbing stairs for 30 minutes five days a week, says Plato.

Stay Happy, Stay Healthy

Madison, Wisconsin

It may sound New Age-y, but nothing spells long life better than a solid mind body connection. Case in point: Women in Madison are some of the happiest around. Fewer than 3 percent of them report feeling sad all or most of the time, and less than 2 percent say they feel hopeless. And their life expectancy is over 80. Make like them and bolster your mood, because depression can take a toll on your physical health in the form of infrequent exercise, poor eating habits, and lack of sleep, says neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine, M.D., author of The Female Brain. Create standing dates with your close pals, she advises. “During social interactions, the brain releases the hormones dopamine and oxytocin, both of which combat depression.” Better yet, make those plans with upbeat friends happiness is contagious.

Chew Away The Big C

Austin, Texas

Better known for their mean barbecuing skills, Austin’s women also have a way with fresh produce. They ranked highest in healthy diet, thanks to the fact that 35 percent of them scarf down five or more servings of whole foods every day. All those fruits and veggies not only keep them trim but can also lower their risk for several forms of cancer, says Alice Bender, R.D., a dietitian for the American Institute for Cancer Research. In other words, eating low-calorie plant foods instead of fat and sugar packed processed foods is a cancer fighting one two punch that keeps your weight in check and delivers such Big C slayers as fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Load
up on cabbage, leeks, and cranberries, for example, and you’ll help protect yourself from colon, stomach, and mouth cancers, respectively.

Keep Up the Beat

Minneapolis, Minnesota

We’ve heard it so often that it’s easy to just tune out: Heart disease is the number one killer of women. These Midwesterners still take the warning to, well, heart. “People in our city are very active and do regular cardio that keeps their blood pressure and cholesterol down,” says cardiologist Elizabeth Grey, M.D., of the Minneapolis Heart Institute. It’s paying off: Women in Minneapolis have low rates of death from heart disease (19 in 100,000) and stroke (five in 100,000). One way to keep your ticker in shape? Hop into bed. During sex, your arteries dilate and a release of endorphins and immunoglobulins protect your cardiac health, says Suzanne Steinbaum, D.O., director of women and heart disease at the Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of New York.

Diagnosis of Heart Failure Disease

Heart failure simply means that your heart does not pump blood properly. Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working or that you are having a heart attack. Heart failure is called congestive heart failure (CHF) because the heart cannot pump blood around the body properly.

What causes heart failure?

Heart failure has many different causes. Sometimes the exact cause is not found. Below is a list of common causes of heart failure was found:

1. Coronary artery disease.

2. A problem with the heart muscle or cardiomyopathy.

3. Hypertension.

4. The existence of problems with heart valves.

5. Regular motion of the heart is abnormal.

6. Poisoning, such as alcohol abuse.

7. Congenital heart disease.

8.  Diabetes.

9.  Thyroid hormone of the problem.

What are the symptoms of heart failure?

Some people have symptoms, the following is a list of symptoms and problems in heart failure:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Shortness of breath when lying flat in bed.
3. Wake up at night and suddenly stopped breathing.
4. Tired and weak.
5. Swelling in the legs, generally only in the limbs.
6. Rapid increases in weight, 1-2 pounds per day for three consecutive days.
7. Chronic cough.

Consult your doctor if you have symptoms like the above, especially if you have the heart problems before.

What tests or examinations needed to diagnose heart failure?

The doctor will give heart failure based on allegations of previous medical records, symptoms and signs and test or physical examination.
Some of the examinations or tests in patients with suspected heart failure:

1. Blood tests.
2. Urine checks.
3. Chest x-ray examination.
4. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
5. Echocardiography.
6. Radionuclide Ventriculography.

Echocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography are often used to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure. The echocardiogram is a test that causes no pain. Examination performed on the surface of the chest. The results of the examination is an image of the heart, where the figure shows how healthy the heart in pumping blood.

What is the necessary treatment in heart failure?

Much can be done to improve the function of the heart in pumping blood and for the treatment of symptoms. The most important part of treatment is taking care of the underlying causes of the onset of heart failure, such as hypertension. Treatment also includes lifestyle changes and use of drugs by the rules.

What Is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease is narrowing / blockage (arteriosclerosis) coronary arteries caused by buildup of fatty substances (cholesterol, triglycerides) are more and more and accumulate at the bottom of the innermost layer (endothelium) of the artery wall.

By blockage of coronary arteries, then this will reduces the flow of blood to supply oxygen to the heart muscles, and affect the heart as the blood pumping. And when the heart muscle blood supply shortage then the heart will become weak and unable to provide blood to all parts of the body.


Anyone who can get this disease?

Anyone can have the high cholesterol levels, young or old, fat or thin. Once the disease is attacking the people who lived 50 years, but now can be suffered by a person under the age of 40 years. This could occur because of lifestyle changes.

People with high cholesterol levels, especially LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol is a major target for cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease. The evidence suggests that 80% of patients died suddenly of heart disease with coronary heart disease, and even 50% of them without symptoms. 
The disease is caused by excessive levels of LDL cholesterol which forms atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries and cause heart muscle does not receive blood flow.

Tips To Prevent Coronary Heart Disease Risk

1. Implement a healthy lifestyle

2. Try the herbal medicine

3. Expand to eat fish, because they contain omega three fatty acids


Healthy Lifestyle

Everything we do is very influential on health and disease we suffer. All causes of death such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease can be prevented. Here are the things, patterns and lifestyles as well as tips on maintaining a healthy body.

1. Do not smoke or use tobacco products

Tobacco use is one of the most dangerous. One in six deaths in the United States are a way of life because of smoking.

2. Limit the amount of alcohol consumption.

Limit your alcohol beverages, for men do not drink alcohol more than two cans and for women's limited one can per day. Too much alcohol can damage the liver, causing cancer diseases such as cancer of the esophagus and liver cancer.

3. Eating right

Some diseases related to diet such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and damage to the arteries that supply blood to the body. Dietary fiber, fruits and vegetables can help you reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

4. Reduce weight for an overweight

Being overweight can increase the risk factor for high blood pressure or hypertension, diabetes. You can reduce the excess weight gradually and help you keep it within normal limits with a high fiber diet, exercise regularly.

5. Take control of your cholesterol levels

If your high blood cholesterol levels, lower your cholesterol by eating right, such as by reducing the amount of fat you eat, and by doing regular exercise, or maybe if you needed to see a doctor to get some cholesterol-lowering drugs.

 6. Control high blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease events, stroke, and kidney disease. To control your high blood pressure you can do is reduce your weight, exercise regularly, eat less sodium in your diet, not smoking, high blood pressure-lowering drugs if your doctor recommends.

Types of Vitamin B

Vitamin B has eight types, namely vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. Less consumption of vitamin B can cause various diseases. That is why many multivitamin that includes vitamin B variations of the type called vitamin B-complex. Here is an explanation of the types of vitamin B.


Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Function : Change the carbohydrates in foods into energy.
Needs     : Women 1.1 mg, Men 1.2 mg, Pregnant and nursing women 1.4 mg.
Sources  : Rice, bread, cereals, flour, seafood such as shrimp, crab or shellfish.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Function : Maintain healthy eyes and skin.
Needs     : Women 1.1 mg, Men 1.3 mg, 1.6 mg for lactating women.
Sources  : Milk, cheese, chicken, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Function : For healthy skin, increase appetite, improve digestive system and help convert food into energy.
Needs     : Women 14 mg, 16 mg Men, 18 mg Pregnant women: 17 mg for lactating women.
Sources  : Grains, beans, beef, mushrooms.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Function : Together with other types of vitamin B, vitamin B5 is useful in the breakdown of fats, proteins, carbohydrates into energy. Another benefit is to make red blood cells and make vitamin D.
Needs     : Women 4 mg, Men 6 mg, 5 mg Pregnant women.
Sources  : Chicken, sardines, avocado, watermelon.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Function : Required in the process of amino acids and fats.
Needs     : Women 1.3 mg, Men 1.3 mg 1.9 mg Pregnant women, 2 mg for lactating women. Most of the consumption of vitamin B6 with the consumption of more than 50 mg per day can cause permanent nerve damage.
Sources  : Meat, poultry, fish, beef, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, fruit purple and green vegetables.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Function : Helps in the breakdown of fats, proteins into energy used by the body.
Needs     : Women 25 meg, Male 30 meg, Pregnant women 30 meg.
Sources  : Salmon, eggs, milk, cereal, bananas and peanuts.

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Function : In order for the cells in the body is well developed, forming red blood cells and prevent nerve damage in the fetus.
Needs     : Women's 400 meg, Men 400 meg, Pregnant women 600 meg, Lactating 500 meg.
Sources  : Milk and dairy products, melons and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Function : Change the carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy, maintain healthy red blood cells, protects nerve cells, preventing cardiovascular disease, and prevent brain shrinkage that can lead to weakened memory.
Needs     : Women's 2.4 meg, Men 2.4 meg, 2.6 meg pregnant women.
Sources  : Beef, fish, eggs, milk, soy and seaweed.


Processing Vitamin B

In the process, should not be boiled. It is recommended to process using microwave or by steaming. This is because vitamin B is easily soluble in water and easily damaged if heated. Instead, store food sources of vitamin B in the cold in the refrigerator so that this vitamin is maintained.

Although the amount needed by the body is not too much, but beneficial to the body of vitamin B, especially in helping the bodies get energy. By knowing the various types with different benefits, you can try to make enough vitamin B requirement for the body.

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Everyone who had a heart attack would feel the complaint is of course different, but generally a person will feel some specific things such as:

1. Chest pain, the muscle blood supply shortage that affects the muscles need less oxygen. Chest pain is felt in the middle, it can spread to the back of the chest, neck and shoulders. Some patients may experience pain in the upper abdomen.

2. Shortness of breath, usually felt by people who have the heart failure. Tightness is due to the entry of fluid into the cavity of the air in the lungs.

3. Fatigue, heart disease can cause heart pumping is not best. This causes the patient to feel weak and tired.

4. Dizziness and fainting, this can be an early symptom of heart disease. Decreased blood flow due to an abnormal heart rate or because of poor pumping ability, can cause dizziness and fainting.

5. A sudden feeling of nausea and anxiety arising.

Disease Diagnosis Heart Attack

Of course, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will performs blood pressure and heart rate. The next doctor will send the patient to perform a ECG / EKG and blood check. If the patient was still feeling the pain, drug delivery will be made before the examination was performed. This is due to that pain can lead to cardiac symptoms and even death.

Disease Causes Heart Attack

1. Excessive smoking for many years

2. Consumption of junk food containing high fat content.

3. Hypertension

4. Diabetes

5. Lack of exercise

6. Stress

7. Alcohol

8. Drugs

Treatment:

1. With drugs for the heart

2. Catheter

3. Cardiac surgery

Side Effects of Treatment:

All drugs are consumed may have side effects. Aspirin may cause abdominal or stomach. Nitrates may cause redness of the face and headache. Beta blockers cause fatigue and swelling in the legs. But many patients do not experience side effects of these drugs. If you have any side effects after taking the drug, consult with your doctor.

Become a Healthy Vegetarian

Vegetarians are healthier choices for life and now are becoming a trend. But many people are wondering how to become a true vegetarian.

How do I start being vegetarian?

It's easy to start a vegetarian. I suggest start gradually reducing meat, so the body can makes adjustments. For example, start reducing food beef, then chicken, then fish, and so on.

Gradually reduced in intensity as well, for example once every day to eat meat, try not to eat meat once a week, then three times a week, and eventually every day of not eating meat. Then the next step, foods that contain meat sauce is also not allowed, as well as meat dishes used oil.

Age can be a vegetarian?

I think, the age in the womb can be a vegetarian, but the mother should pay attention to nutrition and nutrients consumed, and of course consult with a doctor who specializes vegetarian.

Is it true that if a vegetarian body become limp?

It is not true that being a vegetarian is not powered body. Many athletes are vegetarian and achievement. People who are vegetarian then his body became limp, certainly did not pay attention to diet and nutritional intake. Any person who is not vegetarian will not powered when malnutrition.

Are there any restrictions for certain sick people who cannot be a vegetarian?

I think, no certain sick people who cannot be vegetarian. Because being a vegetarian will be more healthy. Usually doctors actually recommend eating many vegetables if you've got some serious diseases.

How to eat right for vegetarians?

The correct way is to eat a healthy menu, such as tofu, vegetables, variety of nuts, mushrooms, do not eat too much fried food, avoid eggs, not too much salt or sugar. And do not forget to drink enough water and eating many fruits.

There are risks to be vegetarian?

There is no risk.

What are the benefits of being vegetarian?

Many benefits. From the aspect of health, many studies have proven to be more healthy body. From the environmental aspect, environmental experts say the farm was to be the largest contributor to global warming, so being a vegetarian means that we helped to save our earth. By vegetarian we also have better protected from serious diseases.

Is a vegetarian can makes thin?

Research shows that on average people who follow a vegetarian diet will consume small amounts of calories and fat consumed in smaller quantities as well. Vegetarians also have the potential to make a smaller weight than people who are not vegetarian. This is reasonable because the vegetarian diet consists of fruits and vegetables have less calories. However, switching to a vegetarian diet will not guarantee to reduce your weight.

The basis of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, same for everyone, the consumption of highly nutritious food with a balanced amount. Being a vegetarian can increase your weight if you do not choose foods that are good.

Therefore, vegetarian diet should be planned as possible the same as non-vegetarian diet and diet make sure you do meet the basic nutritional needs such as protein, good fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Be healthy.