Preventive Health Care for Women

Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by Westside Sol Newspaper

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Feliz Dia De Las Madres! In honor of all of the important women in our lives, I would like to encourage women of all ages to participate in National Women’s Health Week, May 9-15. Part of National Women’s Health Week, National Women’s Checkup Day is on May 10. On this day, women are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider for a checkup and screening exams. During that visit, they should discuss which of the many screening tests are right for them. These tests include Pap smears, mammograms, colon cancer screenings, bone density tests, blood sugar and cholesterol tests. The website: http://womenshealth.gov/whw/ has links to more information about the week and recommended screenings.

The Office of Women’s Health encourages women to get at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity per week, eat a nutritious diet, get regular health screenings, avoid risky behaviors, and pay attention to mental health—getting enough sleep and
managing stress.

In the lives of women, I believe the last item is the one most often overlooked. The women in our lives spend so much time caring for their families; they often don’t take the time to care for themselves. Getting kids to and from school, husbands fed, and parents to doctors visits and the grocery store doesn’t leave much time for themselves.

Please take the time during the month of May to make an appointment with your physician to update your health screenings. The physicians and staff at Holy Cross Family Clinic are available to help if you don’t have a physician.

Michael Dominguez, MD, FAAFP is board certified in Family Medicine. His office is located at HealthTexas at Holy Cross, 590 N. General McMullen, 78228; phone: 210-249-0212.