Women's General Health Quiz

There are many things you can do to improve your health. Changing your lifestyle in certain ways is a good place to start. Take a close look at your diet. Does it include a variety of fresh fruits, grains and vegetables? Can you lower the saturated fat in your diet by choosing low-fat foods like lean meats and low-fat dairy products? Can you increase your physical activity each day in simple ways, like walking around the block or at lunchtime, for example? If you smoke, ask your health care professional about ways to stop. Also, ask for guidance on your use of alcohol, if you drink.

Actinic keratoses are precancerous lesions that appear as crusty bumps that may itch or feel tender. This condition is an early sign of skin cancer.

There are additional guidelines for a diet that will help you prevent osteoporosis. But, at the least, you should get between 1,000 mg and 1,500 mg of calcium daily as well as vitamin D (which is available in dairy products and from sunshine).

For most healthy people, any vigorous activity, such as brisk walking, swimming, running or biking for at least 30 minutes three-to-four times each week provides health benefits to the heart, lungs and circulatory system. Moderate- to low-intensity activity, such as pleasure walking, gardening and housework for 30 minutes on most days provides some benefits. What's most important is to include exercise as part of your regular routine. Before starting any exercise, check with a medical professional.

Beginning at age 20, every woman should have her cholesterol level measured and then have the test every five years or as frequently as your health care professional recommends, depending on your health. High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. A screening test called a fasting lipoprotein profile is the most accurate way to measure blood cholesterol levels, including HDL and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglyercides (another type of fat in the bloodstream.