America Women’s Health and Common Causes of Death
Although death is the ultimate predicament for all human beings, women and men are predisposed to slightly different risks. Generally, women live longer than men, thus resulting in more older women and widows in society as opposed to their male counterparts. Experts attribute this to genetic factors as well as a general disposition towards life. For women, though, longevity is threatened by many health conditions.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the seven main causes of death for women are as follows:
Cardiovascular diseases
Over 288,000 women died from heart diseases in 2014 alone. Experts warn that eating food rich in cholesterol leads to constriction of heart muscles and blood vessels, thus putting one at risk of heart diseases. The high levels of stress emanating from work-family conflicts aggravate the situation.
Cancer
Experts have not managed to place a finger on what exactly causes cancer. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that sedentary lifestyles, poor eating habits, and exposure to harmful chemicals, especially in the chemicals we use and food, are the main risk factors for cancer. Even when cancer is genetic, these factors increase one’s vulnerability. Cancers of the lung, breast, and colon are the most prevalent in that order.
Stroke
Stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer result from largely the same factors.
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
According to Mnt.com, “Chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) is a collection of lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues, including primarily chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but also bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.” The air we breathe is laced with chemicals emanating from industries, and this is especially true in urban areas.
Alzheimer’s disease
Loss of partial or full memory is becoming very common among aged women. Experts attribute this to diet, extraneous damage to the head as well as lifestyle choices.
Unintentional injuries (accidents)
Womenshealth.com asserts that “Nearly 180,000 people die every year from preventable injuries and violence, amounting to one death every three minutes.”
Diabetes
This is a lifestyle illness that can be inherited, although it also results from unstable sugar balance in the body owing to poor eating and exercise habits.
The way forward
If this situation is to be averted, women watch they and their families eat, engage in more physical exercises, and maintain a positive attitude towards life. This is necessary for all women, irrespective of or economic social class.
© EthLeen
