Women are particularly vulnerable to diseases. Women need to understand the signals their body gives them and know what can harm or benefit their health. Here are 5 diseases and risk factors that women should be especially careful about.
Heart disease = not just men’s disease
Heart disease, regardless of gender, is a cruel disease. Many people know that heart disease is a disease of men who are overstressed by alcohol, tobacco, and stress, but this is not the case. In particular, some studies have found that the death rate for women is higher than that for men when the coronary arteries are suddenly blocked. Chest pain is the most common, but if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath or difficulty climbing stairs, you are more likely to have heart disease later. Other symptoms such as jaw or shoulder pain and vomiting can also be signs of heart disease.
Risk factors: Aging, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity and overweight, diabetes, etc. increase the risk of heart disease.
Breast cancer = curable if detected early
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women after lung cancer. Recently, the number of breast cancer patients among Korean women is increasing rapidly. According to the National Health Insurance Corporation, the number of breast cancer patients in their 40s and 50s is the most, and those under the age of 40 account for 20% of the total. Many women are reluctant to even diagnose breast cancer because they fear it too much, but a diagnosis of breast cancer is not a death sentence. Breast cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, and the cure rate is high, especially if detected early.
Risk factors: aging, genetics (5-10% of patients are due to specific genetic mutations), family history, personal history, premature radiation exposure, early menstruation before age 12 or menopause after age 55, childlessness; Use of synthetic female hormones such as diethylstilbestrol, excessive drinking, insufficient nutrition, and obesity.
Osteoporosis = unknowingly
The prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Korea is 5 to 15 times higher than in men of the same age. Males are genetically larger than females, have a higher peak bone mass, and have a relatively low risk of osteoporosis because there are no hormonal changes such as menopause. Osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disease because it is often overlooked until diagnosed.
Risk factors: women, aging, small and fragile bones. White and Asian women are more at risk. Family history, irregular menstruation, decreased estrogen during menopause, loss of appetite, diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive drinking.
Depression = twice as high as men
Depression is twice as common in women as in men. A woman tends to become depressed easily if she doesn’t have something to support her life. It is important to find meaning and joy in life. Hormonal changes after pregnancy or during menopause can also lead to depression.
△Risk factors: stressful daily life such as previous depressive events, family history of depression, family history of heart disease, serious chronic disease, discord with husband, drug addiction, drug use with ingredients that cause depression, job loss or death of an acquaintance. Anemia or thyroid disease, recent serious illness or major surgery, childhood memories of physical or sexual abuse.
Autoimmune disease = 75% of patients are women
According to the American Association of Autoimmune-Related Disorders, 75% of autoimmune diseases occur in women. This disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissue as an enemy. More than 80% of autoimmune diseases appear as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. It is estimated that there are about 100,000 lupus patients in Korea, and more than 80% of them are women. Since the symptoms are not accurate, it may take a long time or difficult to diagnose.
△Risk factors: genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, although not precisely identified. The decisive factors for the appearance of the disease differ from disease to disease.