Men and women are very different when it comes to health, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Here, the retired pharmacist offers up a few key facts that women should keep in mind throughout their lifetime.
Women live longer than men.
There’s a good chance that you will outlive your same-age partner. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, nine out of 10 people in nursing homes are women. This is because women tend to live longer than their male counterparts. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this also means that elderly women are also more at risk of social isolation.
Heart disease kills more women than anything.
Marla Ahlgrimm says that heart disease is not only the leading cause of death, but also the top cause of premature death in women. This is due, in part, to the fact that heart disease is difficult to diagnose in females. Instead of the typical chest pain associated with a heart attack, women often experience shortness of breath, jaw pain, nausea, and even shoulder aches.
Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains the number one cancer in women. But, it’s lung cancer that should be of most concern. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that lung cancer is extremely dangerous to women, especially given that women are usually diagnosed during a later stage of cancer than their male counterparts. Shortness of breath, a persistent sore throat, loss of appetite, and chest pain are all signs of lung cancer.
Prevention is the best medicine.
Although it sounds cliché, Marla Ahlgrimm says that preventative measures, such as eating well, staying social, and nurturing healthy habits, is truly the best medicine. Women that take care of their minds and bodies are less likely to suffer from depression, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and other issues common among women.
