5 Options for Improving Cervical Health
By Brandi Goodman
Congress deemed January Cervical Health Awareness Month. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition and similar organizations now take the opportunity to discuss the importance of prevention and early detection. There are options for improving cervical health. Now's the time to learn about them.
Get Vaccinated
It may be too late for you as an adult to get vaccinated since the cut-off range is around 26 years old. New details are emerging however about options for those over this age limit, so ask your doctor. Your kids should definitely be vaccinated when they can though. Both boys and girls should get the HPV vaccination because this infection is a risk factor for cervical and other cancers. It was once recommended that kids get the vaccination around 11 or 12 years old. Doctors are now administering the first dose as young as 8 to prevent the risk of cancers that are developing younger and younger.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet can play a major role in your cervical health. Consuming sugar and processed foods can help cancer develop and your health worsen. Eating a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can fight toxins within the body and keep you healthy. Foods high in antioxidants are especially important, such as sweet potatoes, apples, spinach, broccoli, and squash.
Get More Exercise
Exercise can help your body fight infection, regulate hormone levels, and become healthier. A stronger body is generally better able to handle disease. Get more exercise in your daily routine and help your cervical health, and health overall, improve.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking can increase your risk of developing cervical and other cancers. It can damage the DNA of cervix cells. To improve your cervical health it is important that you stop smoking if you have been or continue to avoid smoking at all costs. You should steer clear of secondhand smoke as well.
Work With Your Doctor
Always see a doctor on a regular schedule and work with him or her to improve your health. If your doctor recommends you to get a pap done sooner than the usual one year interval, then go in. You want to do everything possible to monitor your health so serious complications can be prevented or handled immediately upon discovery.
With January just around the corner now is the time to start thinking about your cervical health. You should then consider to keep it as a focus throughout the rest of the year and thereafter. Cervical cancer is becoming far too common and can impact other aspects of your health as well. Make some adjustments so you can improve your overall well-being.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Decatur, Ga.