RN: With our busy and chaotic modern lifestyle, women tend to neglect their own health. Therefore, life expectancy in good health between men and women is clearly narrowing.

TN: I know we have a role in patient education. But what if the person is not ill?

RN: It’s in the sense of prevention. For example, cardiovascu- lar disease has become the leading cause of death in women, let alone cancers and other diseases specific to women.

TN: Oh, I see, of course, like breast cancer, and other illnesses related to hormone balance, the menstrual cycle, birth control, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and its consequences, and so on.

RN: Exactly. Therefore, as a future health educator, what would you suggest as a healthy lifestyle for a woman who seemingly has no particular health problems, but looking for answers, or being concerned with a healthy way of life?

TN: Probably, for the general health condition, I’d advise her to get enough sleep and have some adapted physical activities depending on the situation.

RN: Good. And we can also think of advice to give on food and daily habits to go along.

TN: Sure. I guess the best examples would be to quit smoking and alcohol and have a healthy, well-balanced diet. But I can’t say exactly what to put in place in these situations.

RN: Generally speaking, medical help might be sought for alcohol and smoking. As for food, the right amounts of macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber and water, micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and some balanced calory-intake for energy.

TN: Can you give me some specific examples on that?

RN: Well, the usual stuff. For instance, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, mainly calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium, and the essential vitamins, among which are folate, vitamin D, vitamin C, and B vitamins. This can generally be obtained from whole grains, high protein foods like poultry, eggs, fish, cheese, yoghurt, low-fat milk, lean meat, and fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, which, all together, will benefit the skin, bones and muscles. And last, but not least, to drink a sufficient amount of fresh water, usually 1.5 to 2 liters per day, which will keep the person hydrated for the best functioning of the organs.

TN: Ok. And what about proper medical exams then?

RN: I would say, the usual suspects! I mean women should start annually screening for blood pressure and cholesterol around the age of 20. At this age, equally important are the pelvic exams and pap smears for the HPV and the STDs. Women should also receive breast mammograms every year at about the same age, in order to detect any possible signs of breast cancer. Regular screening for diabetes as of the age of 40 might also be needed, of course depending on family history and risk factors. And as of the age of 50, colorectal and osteoporosis screening should be undergone for colorectal cancers and bone density.

And we might end up by noting that in case a woman is experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss or just can’t get pregnant, silent endometriosis might be pointed at. Vocabulary