Current challenges to the health of women
There are some prevalent diseases in women that are good to know. We all know that sometimes we are more attentive to the health of those around us than ours, and this is something we should take into consideration. Furthermore, our lifestyle can also determine the appearance of some pains. Daily worries stress and missed periodic medical visits can sometimes cause serious problems. Today in this article, we will discuss the current challenges to the health of women.
Migraine: a pain that appears already in adolescence
According to some data from the World Health Organization (WHO), migraine affects women much more than men. Furthermore, in them, the pain lasts longer and appears more frequently within a month.
- Migraine is probably the most common disorder among women. Currently, it has been shown that most traditional drugs that act on the arteries do not help to alleviate this problem.
- Migraine has nothing to do with hormonal problems or stress.
- Current data reveal that the causes of migraines lie in the hypersensitivity of the nerve fibers.
Symptoms of migraine
- Migraine in women appears very early. In fact, it is quite common to come across 11-year-old girls who already suffer from it.
- The pain is intense and throbbing and focuses on one side of the head. It causes nausea, vomiting, and even visual disturbances.
- Usually, this type of headache appears four times a month. Sometimes it can disappear after a few years.
Allergies
It may surprise you, but in general, allergies are much more common in women. Also, we don't always give due importance to their symptoms when they are not very serious.
- Intolerance to gluten, barley, or rye affects women to a greater extent. According to data from the same association of celiac, almost 70% of patients belong to the female sex.
- It is also important to keep in mind that women are usually the ones who are most in contact with chemicals. Items such as make-up or household cleaning products lead us to suffer more allergic reactions.
What symptoms should we take into consideration?
- Observe how your skin and eyes react each time you use certain cosmetics.
- Dry throat or constant tearing is frequent when some allergy occurs.
- Symptoms related to pollen, dust, or certain elements are often more persistent in the early hours of the day.
- Also, pay attention to your digestions. Sometimes malaise, gases, or constant swelling after eating may be due to some intolerance.
The irritable colon
Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive tract disorder that causes abdominal pain and inflammation. It appears along with alternating episodes of diarrhea or constipation that make us inactive for hours.
The exact causes of irritable bowel syndrome are still unknown today. However, it is very common that it appears in periods of intense stress, in times of particular nervousness or hormonal changes.
What irritable bowel syndrome symptoms should we consider?
- Appears for the first time between 15 and 25 years.
- It is not a simple malaise, bad digestion, or gastritis. It is an intense pain localized in the colon area that involves the whole abdomen.
- Symptoms such as vomiting, gas, and very intense burning occur. The pain comes and goes and can last a few days.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases in women. However, you must keep in mind that in recent years, cases of lung and colorectal cancer have also been steadily increasing, so undergo constant medical examinations.
What are the symptoms we need to consider?
Look at your breast. Self-palpation in search of small bumps is a good habit.
The most important thing is to pay attention to the shape of the skin in order to see any type of alteration, be it small protuberances, strange swellings, colors, or cavities.
Also, if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you should start having regular checkups before the age of 40. From that moment on, periodic mammograms will have to be done.
Depression: faithful companion of certain periods
According to the World Health Organization, depression affects around 350 million people worldwide and, to a large extent, it is women.
Depression is a silent disease that appears in certain periods of our life. However, there is one aspect that we must remember:
The woman has more strategies for dealing with depression. She asks for help before man, she unleashes her emotions and expresses her problems through better communication, opening herself more easily to others.
Symptoms of depression
- Apathy.
- Lack of energy.
- Constant bad mood.
- Recurrent sadness and constant negative thoughts.
- Sleep disorders.
- Physical and musculoskeletal pain.
Heart disease
In women over 50, the main cause of death is heart disease, especially after menopause. This risk is exacerbated by changes in the woman's lipid (fat) and circulatory profile. Over the years, women tend to gradually reduce the production of their natural hormones, estrogen. This is one of the factors that most causes heart disease. In addition, changes in blood levels and the concentration of LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol) affect the onset of the disease. The ideal is to check your body, perform annual checks in consultation with your general practitioner to ensure greater well-being at this time of life.
Diabetes
After 50 years, it is time to pay more attention to diabetes too. Its appearance is aggravated in this period due to the decrease in the female hormone (estrogen). It is most common in obese people, in women who abuse alcohol or who are familiar with the disease. To prevent diabetes, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and make frequent visits to the doctor. The earlier it is diagnosed and cured, the better.
Osteoporosis
After menopause, many hormonal changes occur, which reduce the fixation of calcium in the bones with the consequence of losing bone density. Consequently, the predisposition to osteoporosis, which usually appears after the age of 60, is greater.
Osteoporosis is due to a weakening of the bone structure. Continuous medical follow-up, proper nutrition, and, where necessary, a hormonal replacement can be essential for maintaining bone health.
Your health is your highest asset
You, woman, should always be attentive to all changes in your body. A health plan can be a great ally when it comes to taking care of yourself and staying healthy and protected.
Author: Vicki Lezama