Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Medical statistics show that gender determines the tendency for certain diseases to occur more frequently in women. This is related not only to the physical structure of the body, but also to a different hormonal balance than in men, the functioning of the immune system and, finally, to a more sensitive psyche. Here are 10 diseases that are more common in women.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that women suffer from 6-8 times more often than men. Bones are strongest when we are 20-35 years old. Then they start to "lose weight" almost 1% of the weight per year. In women, this process begins earlier than in men, and the closer to menopause, the faster the bone thinning rate. This is because the ladies are smaller and their initial bone mass is smaller. When, after the age of 35, "food" cells (osteoclasts) begin to dominate the constantly remodeling bone tissue, the process of bone destruction accelerates. They are also weaker and weaker because the closer to menopause, the less estrogenic bone protection is.
- Rheumatic diseases
Women suffer from rheumatic diseases 3 times more often than men. Scientists believe that the onset and progression of rheumatoid diseases is influenced by hormones - estrogens, which postmenopausal women begin to lack, and thyroid hormones, which are too little or too much if the thyroid is not working properly. The causes of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (eg RA, systemic lupus), which are triggered by an abnormal immune reaction involving the destruction of the joints' own tissues, are also not precisely known. The joints are also harmed by obesity and wearing shoes with high heels. The latter have a bad effect on the joints of the feet, knees, hips and the entire spine.
- Urinary incontinence
Women experience incontinence 3-4 times more often than men. The reason for this ailment in women is a different anatomical structure (we have a shorter urethra, which does not have a prostate sealant), we have weaker pelvic floor muscles (this is a result of, among others, childbirth and lack of Kegel exercises). When the menopause approaches and estrogen levels drop, the elasticity of the connective and muscle tissues in the pelvis is weakened. Urinary incontinence is also favored by excess body fat, which increases the pressure on the urinary tract.
- Hypothyroidism
Women suffer from hypothyroidism 5 times more often than men. The thyroid gland stores iodine from food and air, and then converts it into the hormones thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin. They influence the development and functioning of the whole organism. If the thyroid gland does not get an iodine dose each day, it will begin to enlarge, forming goiter over time. It can cause both hyperthyroidism (too much hormone production) and hypothyroidism (too little). The cause of hypothyroidism is also, inter alia, inflammation of the thyroid gland, disorders of the immune system (Hashimoto's disease - an autoimmune disease, the body destroys the thyroid tissue), and even severe stress. The female sex hormones also have a great influence on the thyroid gland, which is why in women thyroid disorders appear during the so-called hormonal storms, i.e. in adolescence, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.
- Digestive problems
There are 7 women out of 10 patients. The digestive system of women digest food 30% slower than that of men. Hence, women are more likely to experience abdominal overflow, flatulence and constipation. The specificity of a woman's body is the fact that negative emotions are "born" in the intestines. Over the years, when you start to run out of sex hormones, your metabolism also becomes scarred. Digestion is even slower and women gain weight. And with obesity, gallstones are formed more often.
- Varicose veins
Ladies suffer 6 times more often from varicose veins. This is because we have weaker calf muscles and, at the same time, weaker valves (tiny folds in the veins that prevent blood from flowing upwards towards the heart) than men, which causes blood to stagnate in the veins in our legs. Then the veins widen and bulge, creating varicose veins visible through the skin. The tendency to develop varicose veins can be inherited, but ladies often work hard on them. Lack of exercise, pregnancy, tight underwear and clothes, standing work, putting one leg on the leg, wearing shoes with high heels and tight uppers are also the causes of varicose veins.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Type 2 diabetes affects women twice as often. The development of type 2 diabetes is greatly influenced by lifestyle, although the presence of genes conducive to its development also plays a role. But diabetes is a multi-factorial disease, and therefore one that develops when several causes overlap. Type 2 diabetes is favored by obesity (there are more obese women than men). A strong viral infection can also be a factor that provokes the development of the disease(women are reluctant to lie in bed), strong stress, which women do not lack in everyday life. The emergence of diabetes is also favored by many children and menopause.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Out of 10 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, 9 are women. The symptom is increasing fatigue, much slower body efficiency, pain in muscles, joints and headaches, increased temperature, sleep, concentration and memory disorders. Such symptoms may persist for years, but are caused by the excess of daily duties. There are many theories about the causes of this disease; it is said, inter alia, of viral origin, excessive weakening of the immune system, long-term, debilitating stress - and all these cases more often affect women than men.
- Fibromyalgia (FMS)
Fibromyalgia affects women 9 times more often than men. It is a chronic rheumatic disease of the soft tissues. Common symptoms include pain in part or all of the body, insomnia, and overwhelming fatigue. The excruciating pain occurs due to incorrect processing of sensory stimuli in the central nervous system. However, it is not known why this is so. It is known, however, that it is a disease of early orphaned people, people who are mistreated and plagued by life crises. And these factors are more common for women than for men.
- Broken Heart Syndrome
Broken heart syndrome is 5-6 times more common in women, usually after the age of 60 or 70. The disease is also called takso-tsubo syndrome, after an octopus vessel with a narrow neck and a wide bottom. The heart takes this shape during an attack of disease. The symptoms are similar to a heart attack or acute heart failure. Sudden chest pain, rapid breathing, cold sweat on the skin, decreased body temperature appear. The ECG shows changes characteristic of an infarction, but in the vessels there are no features characteristic of coronary artery disease. The cause of the disease is very strong stress, which in women translates into physical suffering in this way.
"Zdrowie" monthly