It is common knowledge that a woman’s body differs considerably from a man’s body. That means women are more susceptible to certain health conditions and problems. So it’s little wonder that some diseases occur more often in women than in men. That happens because of variations in hormone levels, genes, and anatomy.
Here are five diseases that affect ladies more often than men.
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
Women have roughly 3 times higher odds of getting Osteoarthritis than men. The way women’s bodies are structured plays a critical role here. In general, women have more elastic tendons and flexible joints than men. While this flexibility is helpful in pregnancy and childbirth, it increases the risk of injuries and sprains. This often leads to OA. Moreover, women have slightly wider hips. That can impact the knee alignment and put stress on the knee joins. It often puts women over 55 at a higher risk of osteoarthritis.
2. Urinary Tract Issues
Things like bladder infections, urinary incontinence, uterine fibroids, and pelvic floor disorders affect women more than men. These conditions are painful, annoying, and embarrassing. Menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth are the three most common risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI). That’s because they cause changes to the women’s urinary tract.
Here are a few tips and tricks that can prevent some of the above-mentioned conditions:
- Urinate after intercourse
- Do Kegel exercises
- Consume adequate water
- Avoid processed foods
- Stay clean
3. Breast Cancer
Female breast cancer is more common than male breast cancer because women have more tissue in the breast area. Only about 1% of cases of breast cancers occur in men. Women over the age of 50 should be alert in particular. Apart from watching for unusual lumps, they need to look out for any skin abnormality in the chest. These are the most common warning signs of breast cancer. Don’t allow cancer to develop!
4. Thyroid Disorders and Problems
As you may already know, the thyroid is an endocrine gland in the neck. It produces hormones that control many metabolic functions. Excessive production of thyroid hormones results in hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, reduced production of these hormones leads to hypothyroidism. Women are about six times more likely to get a thyroid disorder than men.
5. Autoimmune Disease
About 75 percent of all autoimmune diseases affect women. They include a broad range of diseases — multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, lupus, just to name a few. Some of the suspected contributors include environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors. It is still not completely clear what actually causes these diseases though. Nevertheless, it’s known that the body attacks its own tissues and cells.
If you are a woman, you need to be wary of these health problems. It’s possible to prevent many health conditions by taking care of yourself. However, we’re not always capable of preventing diseases from developing and affecting our bodies. That’s why you should check with your doctor if you are not feeling right. Remember that you may beat the odds by getting the proper treatment on time.
