Modern life comes with its share of health challenges, and even though modern medicine has done a lot to make our lives longer, some of those challenges continue to be difficult. Women face some health challenges which are particular to women, and others which are somewhat in common with men. Here are 6 of the top health conditions affecting women today. 1). Cardiovascular Disease The bulk of the popular awareness of cardiovascular disease seems to be on cardiovascular disease in men, but there are a couple of reasons this is deeply unfortunate. The first reason is that cardiovascular disease is the cause of a quarter of all deaths among women, making it the leading cause of death women face. The second is that far from being primarily a men’s issue, cardiovascular disease affects both women and men at nearly equal rates. According to Community 1st ER, who provide urgent care in Pasadena, it’s important to pay attention to chest pain and other potential signs of a heart issue, especially if you have other risk factors – age, diabetes, overweight/obese, smoker, history of heavy alcohol use. 2). Breast Cancer There’s a good reason breast cancer is the subject of much awareness-building: it is the most common type of cancer among women of all ages and all racial groups. There are a variety of causes of breast cancer, and some are genetic. It’s a good idea to get tested to see if you are high-risk. Doctors also commonly recommend all women to start getting mammograms at 40, since age is a key risk factor for breast cancer, and every year thereafter. Fortunately, work has advanced on treatments for this terrible form of cancer. There are even pills for breast cancer now. 3). Autoimmune Diseases When your body’s immune cells attack healthy cells, you get an autoimmune disorder or disease. To be sure, men get autoimmune diseases like lupus, type 1 diabetes, and arthritis too, but 75% of all sufferers are women. If you or a woman in your family has an autoimmune disease, it is quite common for other members of your family – again, most of them will be women – to have an autoimmune disorder as well. It is not that you will necessarily see two or more women with the same autoimmune condition, but you may well see a cluster: a few who have different respective conditions. Early detection is always best with these conditions. Some of the common symptoms of many autoimmune diseases include exhaustion, mild fever, pain, skin irritation, and vertigo. 4). Fertility Issues You might be surprised how many women have fertility issues: about 10% in the age bracket that includes almost all fertile girls and women, 15-44. Two of the medical conditions that account for some of the most common fertility issues include polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. There are other cases, however, in which the cause of infertility is simply not known. These issues can be very hard for couples who are trying to conceive to deal with. In some cases, it is not possible for a woman to conceive, and adoption may be a good alternative. With that said, sometimes hormonal treatments may work. You may find in vitro fertilization (IVF) is an option. 5). Osteoporosis Over the course of a normal, healthy life, bones should build up and become stronger and dense as you go from childhood to adulthood. Bone density peaks in adulthood and then declines as you get older. Osteoporosis is when your bones become unnaturally weak and brittle. People who are very frail in old age may have osteoporosis. The condition results from some combination of inadequate consumption of calcium and inadequate physical activity. Fortunately, osteoporosis is usually treatable nowadays: calcium, vitamin D, and lifestyle changes to encourage more physical activity can treat most cases. These steps can also be used to prevent osteoporosis entirely. Cultivate good habits as a younger adult, and there is no reason you should have to face osteoporosis later in life. 6). Mental Health Issues Depression and anxiety are issues that can certainly affect women and men, but they are more often women’s issues: women are at higher risk of developing them, especially because of natural fluctuations in hormonal levels that are part of women’s reproductive physiology but not men’s. One obvious example is premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is a common cause of depression and anxiety among many women. Perinatal depression, “baby blues”, happens among many women after they give birth. Great strides have been made in society when it comes to recognizing the profound impact of mental illness on health and wellbeing, and getting past the stigma. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are dealing with mental health challenges. Conclusion Women face certain health challenges today, despite the advances made possible by modern medicine. Some of these health challenges can be guarded against, while others are trickier. Understanding them can help you manage your risk.
6 Top Health Conditions Affecting Women Today
John Henning is a nutritionist, freelance writer, and food blogger that provides accessible nutrition info to help people live a healthier life. His unique approach to nutrition emphasizes nutrient-dense, whole foods and healthy habits rather than restrictive diets.
