- Women are more vulnerable to diabetes than men due to hormonal and genetic differences.
- Lifestyle choices such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and stress can weaken the immune system.
- During pregnancy, hormones can affect the body’s response to disease.
- Autoimmune diseases increase vulnerability to illness in women.
- Diet, exercise, stress management, and regular check-ups reduce the risk of diabetes in women.
Women have a higher risk of contracting different illnesses than men. As science has progressed, people know what makes women more susceptible to diseases than men. Interestingly, some of these reasons are physiological, and others result from environmental influences. Here’s a deep dive into why women are more susceptible to diabetes than men.
Diabetes Rates Among Women
It’s estimated that about 15 million women in the United States have diabetes, which accounts for a quarter of all cases. Women typically develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age than men and have more difficulty managing it. Diabetes can cause serious health issues such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and nerve damage. Here are some reasons why women are more susceptible to the disease than men:
Hormones
Hormones are the most apparent difference between men and women. Research has shown that estrogen and progesterone, for example, can affect the response of women’s immune systems. Specifically, when these hormones fluctuate during a woman’s menstrual cycle, they may affect the immune response to certain diseases more than men. This can make women more vulnerable to sickness during this period.
Lifestyle
Women’s lifestyles tend to be more complex, balancing work, household chores, and childcare, among other commitments. As a result, they may often compromise on their sleep, food choices, and exercise, leading to more stress and a weakened immune system. Women are also more prone to depression and anxiety, linked to an increased risk of several diseases.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women undergo substantial physiological changes, including changes in hormone levels. The immune system becomes suppressed to prevent the fetus from being rejected. The downside is that pregnant women can have a higher risk of contracting illnesses that they were immune to before. They are also more susceptible to infections such as the flu.
Autoimmune Diseases
Women are more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases than men because of hormonal and genetic differences. Examples of these illnesses include multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s disease. These diseases can weaken the immune system and make it difficult for the body to fight off other illnesses.
Age
As they age, women become more susceptible to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and osteoporosis. This could be due to hormonal changes, environmental influences such as lifestyle choices, and genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, many women may not notice early signs of these diseases, which could lead to late detection and more severe health outcomes.
Treatment
There are various treatments for diabetes. Here are some of them.
Care Management
Taking care of the symptoms of diabetes can fall to professional help. Some affordable diabetes care management services can help you out. These services can help you to manage the symptoms of diabetes and keep it under control. Doing so can be easier to treat in the long run.
Medication
For those who need medication, there are several types of medications available. These include insulin, oral medications, and injectable medications. Depending on the type of diabetes you have, your doctor can identify the best treatment for managing it.
How to Reduce Your Chances of Diabetes
Thankfully, there are various ways to reduce your chances of diabetes as a woman. Here are some of those ways:
Diet & Exercise
Diet and exercise play an important role in diabetes management. Eating healthy foods, reducing your sugar intake, and exercising regularly can help you maintain better blood sugar levels. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the symptoms of diabetes.
Manage Stress
Stress is a major factor in diabetes risk. Learning ways to manage stress can help reduce your chances of developing the disease. This could include mindfulness, yoga, or counseling. Stress management can also help improve other areas of physical and mental health.
Get Regular Checkups
Getting regular check-ups with your doctor is essential for assessing your risk for diabetes and other illnesses. Your doctor may be able to detect symptoms early on and provide advice on how to reduce them before they become an issue.
Diabetes is more common in women than men. This is due to various physiological and environmental factors, such as hormones, lifestyle choices, pregnancy, and autoimmune diseases. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. These include maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime, managing stress levels, and getting regular checkups with your doctor. With the right care and attention, you can ensure that you stay healthy for years to come.
