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Men and women have many physical differences, and both genders can experience different health issues. Since these issues are gender-based, they are caused mainly by a hereditary condition or malfunction in a critical organ. In other words, it is almost impossible to catch one of these illnesses through bacterial infection or a virus. As such, these illnesses aren’t in the public consciousness, and many young women do not know about these diseases until they encounter them first-hand.
The first step in protecting yourself from certain health issues is by learning about them. Only then can you recognise the symptoms and take them to a doctor to receive an early diagnosis. So, let’s discuss some of the health issues that are more likely to affect women so that you can be better prepared.
Breast Cancer
A common misconception about breast cancer is that it can only develop inside a woman’s breast. Sadly, this is a disease that can affect both men and women; however, only one per cent of breast cancer diagnoses are given to men. Therefore, breast cancer is an illness that every woman should be made aware of.
As with most cancers, breast cancer is more treatable if it is caught early. This means that you should try to perform regular breast cancer checks on yourself. If you feel any lumps or changes in your breast, arrange an appointment with your doctor to discuss these issues. They will have the expertise to identify anything potentially dangerous in your body, and you may need to be booked in for a mammogram if there are any pressing concerns. Again, catching it early is the first step to recovery, so ensure you perform those checks.
Pudendal Nerve Neuralgia
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where the body cannot uptake calcium successfully, leading to a deficiency of the nutrient in the body. As calcium is crucial for developing and maintaining healthy bones, women with this health condition are more susceptible to bone breakages and fractures. Common symptoms of osteoporosis include receding gums, lower back pain, and even a loss in height.
While osteoporosis cannot be cured, the symptoms can be treated with regular medication. Your doctor may prescribe you bio phosphates in pill form to make up for your lack of calcium and strengthen your bones, or they use anabolic steroids. Again, these steroids aim to solidify your bones so that you do not notice any of the negative symptoms of osteoporosis. It also helps to keep on top of your calcium levels. Make sure you are drinking plenty of milk or taking supplements to give your bones the support they need.
Anaemia
Anaemia is another health condition that affects both men and women. However, It is more common in women as a side effect of pregnancy. Anaemia is caused by low levels of haemoglobin, the protein in the blood responsible for carrying oxygen around your body. Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, pale skin, or general weakness. You can probably imagine that these symptoms are quite dangerous for a pregnant woman, which is why it is important to receive a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Consuming plenty of iron-rich foods, such as spinach, kale, or apples will help with the haemoglobin levels in your blood; however, your doctor should be able to provide further assistance if your anaemia is particularly bad. Iron supplements are available, but your doctor can also prescribe Folate pills to help reduce your symptoms.
It’s also worth mentioning that iron deficiency is detrimental to your dental health. So, it’s important to check out this dentist in Sun City to keep your teeth healthy.
Endometriosis
The leading theory behind the cause of endometriosis is that it is passed on through genetics; however, the results are still inconclusive to this day. Endometriosis is when tissue clogs up the fallopian tubes during menstruation, which can cause extreme abdominal pain during your period. Other symptoms include pain when passing stool or blood in your urine. This clogging can occur at any time after puberty, and it may take some time to cause an immediate issue.
Unfortunately, endometriosis is an illness that does not pass on its own, and patients that leave this disease untreated can eventually become infertile. It is quite an easy disease to spot because of the severity of the pain, and your doctor can perform laparoscopic surgery to remove the blockage in your fallopian tubes to cure you of this health condition. What’s more, you can take painkillers to reduce the pain until you receive this surgery. While endometriosis is not a pleasant illness, at least it is a completely manageable and curable condition.
Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative memory disease that becomes more prevalent as you age. This is another health condition that can affect both genders, but sadly, nearly two-thirds of patients that are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are women. There are several theories as to why this is. One of these suggests that women are more likely to try and take care of themselves; therefore, they are more likely to get checked out by a doctor when something feels wrong. Thus, they are more likely to be diagnosed. Another theory posits that women have a stronger immune system, which increases the number of amyloid deposits in the brain. These deposits make cognitive tasks more difficult, a common symptom of Alzheimer’s.
Other symptoms include memory loss, confusion, shortened attention span, and difficulty learning new things. These appear slowly over time, but you can help ward off degenerative brain disorders in your early life by performing regular brain exercise and cognitive challenges. Science has come a long way in treating this health condition, and many patients will be prescribed Aducanumab to help reduce the amyloid plaques in the brain.
Depression
Not all health conditions are physical, and more people than ever are being diagnosed with depression in the current century. Once again, the larger percentage of these individuals happen to be women. Again, there has been no concrete reason as to why this is. Some researchers claim that it is because women hit puberty earlier, and therefore they are more likely to be diagnosed with these mental health issues at an early age. However, other researchers state that it is the societal injustices that have been placed on women over the years that are responsible for this gap.
Whatever the reason, there are still millions of women out there experiencing low moods, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unwanted thoughts. These are the most common symptoms of depression but there are many more subtle ones that can make it difficult to identify. If you ever feel like you are experiencing any of these issues, or you just don’t feel like yourself, your doctor is always there to discuss these problems with you.
Treatment for depression is becoming more common as we learn more about it. Your doctor may prescribe a talking therapy, like CBT, or they may put you on antidepressants that can help boost the serotonin levels in your brain. Either way, the important thing is that you seek medical advice.
Conclusion
These are the health conditions that every woman should understand as they get older, as you may being to experience symptoms yourself. Fortunately, many of these illnesses are treatable or completely curable, which is why it is important to recognise the symptoms early.
