Womens Health

How much sleep is recommended for 12-18 year olds?

• 12-15 hours per day

• 9-11 hours per day

• 8.5-9.5 hours per day

• 7-9 hours per day

What is the leading cause of death in women?

• breast cancer

• heart disease

• accidents

Answer explanation

Of the nearly 500,000 heart attack deaths that occur each year, more than 239,000 are in women, and more than 91,000 women die each year of stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in American women.

How do you know for sure if you have high blood pressure?

• A. you have night sweats

• B. you have your blood pressure measured

• C. you have frequent headaches

Answer explanation

Most people with high blood pressure have no specific warning signs. The only way to know is to have your pressure checked. People who are overweight are more likely to have high blood pressure.

What breast changes should be brought to the attention of a doctor?

• a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area

• a change in the size or shape of the breast

• C. puckering, dimpling or redness of the breast

• All the above

Answer explanation

All of the above. A change you see or feel in your breast does not automatically mean you have cancer. There are many breast changes that are normal or non-cancerous conditions. However, all changes should be reported to your doctor.

What is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest form?

• annual breast exam by a doctor or nurse

• screening mammogram

• doing breast self-exam every month

Answer explanation

Mammograms are the single best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest form—often before a lump can be felt. However, mammograms are not perfect and some breast cancers can be missed, especially if the breast tissue is very dense. Besides having a mammogram every year starting at age 40, women also should have an annual clinical breast exam done by their doctor and do monthly breast self-exam beginning at age 20. All unusual lumps or changes, even if a mammogram is negative, should be studied further.

True or False? Breast cancer is always fatal.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. If detected early, women diagnosed with breast cancer have a survival rate of more than 93 percent. More than 1.6 million women live with breast cancer today. Early detection also gives women more treatment options, including the possibility of saving the breast.

What is menopause?

• A. the time when your periods stop permanently

• B. a normal aging process

• C. reduction in ovarian activity, including estrogen production

• All the Above

Answer explanation

All of the above. Although some women can start much earlier or many years later, the average age of menopause is 51.5 years. Current smokers and undernourished women tend to experience an earlier menopause.

What are the symptoms of clinical depression?

• A. persistent sadness, anxiety or nervousness

• B. sleeping too little or too much

• reduced appetite and/or weight loss or increased gain

• All the

  Above

Answer explanation

All of the above. In addition to these symptoms, other signs of possible clinical depression are irritability, persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, difficulty in concentrating, loss of energy and thoughts of suicide. If you experience at least five of these symptoms for two weeks or more, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

True or False? Psychiatrists are the only health professionals who can properly diagnose and treat mental illnesses.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False. There is a whole range of professionals who can treat mental illnesses, including social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and pastoral counselors. Treatment can include medication, psychotherapy or both. However, only medical doctors, including psychiatrists, can prescribe medication.

What is the most frequent cause of injury to women?

• A. automobile crashes

• B. partner abuse

• C. muggings

• D. rape

Answer explanation

More women sustain injuries from physical abuse by a husband or boyfriend than from car crashes, muggings and rapes combined. More than 4,000 women a year are killed by a current or former partner as a result of domestic violence.