A shocking study reveals that 32% more women than men wake up feeling tired and unrested. This lack of rest interferes with women’s ability to perform daily activities 81% of the time. For many women in Sedona, health issues negatively impact their productivity and quality of life.
Why Does Women’s Health Matter?
As both nurturers and go-getters, women often put their own health needs on hold while ensuring everyone around them receives care. What does this look like for women?
- Skipped regular checkups
- Failing health
- Exhaustion
- Mental health issues
- Decreased productivity and motivation
- Unhealthy weight loss or gain
- Ignoring pain and discomfort
Is it Time to Check-in?
Even though you ignore the signs and symptoms of bad health, your bad health isn’t ignoring you. Here are a few signs it’s time to stop ignoring your personal check-engine light:
- Weakness
- Acid reflux
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Breast pain
- Irregular periods
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Sleep disturbances
- Pain and inflammation
- Fatigue and exhaustion
Ignoring Your Health Isn’t Convenient—It’s Deadly
These symptoms aren’t just annoying; they are a sign that something is wrong.
Being a woman places you at a higher risk for severe health issues, especially as you grow older. Seven unsettling facts about women’s health in Sedona include:
- Women are more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases
- Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis
- Two times more women than men suffer from depression and anxiety
- Heart disease is the number one killer of women
- Diabetic women are more likely to suffer life-threatening complications than men
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women
- As women age, hypertension is more likely to result in a stroke than in hypertensive men
Some health issues like high blood pressure frequently have no symptoms. Other diseases, like diabetes, present vague and unspecified symptoms easily ignored or mistaken for something else. In Sedona, women’s health issues are best addressed by a functional medicine doctor. These professionals have the skill and expertise to help you understand the source of your symptoms, even those that are vague or don’t seem connected.
Four Pillars of Women’s Health
In Sedona, women’s health is broken down into four key elements or pillars.
- Nutrition: Remember the adage, “you are what you eat.” Your body’s health is only as good as the fuel you use to keep it running.
- Hormones: When hormones are balanced, your body functions as it should. Unfortunately, everything from diet to environment works against maintaining this healthy balance.
- Digestion: An unhealthy gut affects every aspect of your physical and emotional well-being, including your mental health, memory, and energy levels.
- Stress Management: Women think “having it all” means living in constant stress and fatigue. Your body was never designed to stay healthy under the stress levels we endure to simply “maintain normalcy.”
One Unbalanced Pillar Leads to Poor Health
Think of your body as a puzzle. One missing piece distorts the entire picture; without that piece, the puzzle is incomplete. Each piece of your health puzzle fits perfectly with the other pieces. If even one piece is missing, you may feel foggy, exhausted, and unwell.
Functional Medicine Restores the Missing Pieces
Naturopathic medicine doctors understand that the body is not a series of unrelated puzzle pieces but a network of interlocking pieces that make the entire picture.
From a thorough clinical history, to comprehensive lab testing, to an extensive medical background screening, to recommending safe treatment plans, naturopathic doctors help restore your missing pieces and bring your body back to its natural balance.
Many Women Deal With Health Issues in Unhealthy Ways
For many women, over-the-counter pain medication takes care of body pain and headaches, a snack boosts energy, alcohol helps with relaxation, and caffeine improves productivity.
These coping mechanisms only mask symptoms temporarily, and some have unintentional side effects that do more harm than good.
1. Caffeine
There’s nothing like that first shot of caffeine to clear away the cobwebs in the morning, but relying on caffeine to fight fatigue throughout the day has consequences.
Did you know you can develop a tolerance to caffeine, making it less effective over time? Increasing your caffeine intake to balance your tolerance also increases your risk of developing dehydration, headaches, and rapid heartbeat. Too much caffeine leads to insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
2. Over-The-Counter Pain Medications
If you’re running for ibuprofen frequently throughout your day, you need to be aware that the recommended daily limit of this popular medication is 3200 mg. If you regularly take more than that, you risk developing stomach ulcers, inflammation, and liver or kidney failure.
If you’re taking over-the-counter pain medications often, make an appointment with a functional medicine doctor to find the source of your pain.
3. Vitamins
Popping handfuls of vitamins is not necessarily the key to a healthy body, and can sometimes do more harm than good.
Vitamins and supplements are a great addition to your diet, but you must be careful about what kind and how many you take. A naturopathic physician can create a safe and effective, customized vitamin and supplement plan for you.
4. Alcohol
For many Sedona women, pouring a glass of wine to relax is part of a nightly routine. Unfortunately, having that glass of wine often leads to more than one glass.
Women have been increasingly “drinking to cope” with stress, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and problems falling asleep. While an occasional glass of wine may not be problematic, it leads to self-medicating, a potentially dangerous situation. Dehydration, heart issues, increased depression or anxiety, unhealthy weight gain, and sleep disorders are reported with over-indulgence.
Instead of pouring another glass of wine, make an appointment with a functional medicine doctor specializing in Sedona women’s health to find the source of your anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder.
In Sedona, Women’s Health Matters
Dr. Jenna Blasi, ND, has devoted herself to helping high-performing women truly “have it all,” including the health and energy they need to stay motivated and productive in today’s high-stress world. She explains, “I believe that strong, successful [Sedona] women can achieve life balance and health in all areas of their lives, through any unexpected ‘curveballs’ that may come their way.”
If you’re tired of struggling to get through your day, reach out to Dr. Jenna’s team for a free, no-obligation chat at 928-282-4559 and see how she can help you find your balance and renew your energy and mind.
Not ready to chat? Sign up for a free informative. fun webinar and learn the secrets to regaining balance and finding your missing women’s health puzzle pieces.
