Issues in Womens Health - Assignment Example

Issues in Women’s Health Introduction Women’s health issues cover a wide range of concerns. There are several health problems that affect women to a greater level than men. Different health conditions have been identified to affecting women only while in others the symptoms and effects are different from those on men. This, therefore, calls for application of different treatment and prevention procedures when dealing with these health issues. Breast cancer, depression, heart disease and autoimmune diseases are some of the medical conditions that affect both men and women but with varying discrepancy levels between the two sexes. Pregnancy, on the other hand, is a medical condition that is uniquely women related. Since these medical conditions are largely common, it’s important for studies to be done so are to provide crucial information to women. Heart disease Heart disease though often viewed as a medical condition affecting mostly men, research has shown that extra women than men die of the illness. The key reason accredited to this is the fact that the symptoms of this disease manifest themselves in women differently as to men (Barrett-Connor 1865). To lessen the jeopardy of women suffering from heart disease, the first step lies in the understanding of the symptoms and adoption of healthier lifestyles. The most frequent of all the indications of heart attack in women is some pain or discomfort in the chest. Nevertheless, there are added symptoms that are more conspicuous than the chest pains. These other symptoms are more severe than the pressure or pain in the chest that women often cite. Studies have revealed that these chest pressures might be due to the presence of blockages in arteries and veins that supply blood to the heart in woman’s heart (Libov 1991). The other symptoms are right arm pain, unusual fatigue, shortness of breath as well as neck and upper back discomfort. The most challenging issue with this symptom in women is that they may occur when least expected like while sleeping or resting. These symptoms, on the other hand, might be triggered by mental stress. Since sometimes they occur randomly, women downplay them until there problem gets severe. The most familiar risk reasons for women include diabetes and smoking, both which increase the chances of heart disease significantly in women. Low levels of estrogen in the body after the onset of menopause have also been identified to pose a significant risk for the development of micro vascular disease in smaller blood vessels. Pregnancy is also among the risk factors as difficulties such as diabetes or high blood pressure might trigger the development of heart diseases in the mother and her children. Mental stress despite affecting both men and women, it has been found to affect the hearts of women more significantly than men. These menace aspects can be mitigated by making several adjustments in the lifestyle. According to Burke, (2010) women suffer the greatest burden of heart disease. They should, therefore, adopt healthier lifestyles as early as possible. Medical practitioners advocate for persons to quite or refrain from smoking all together. Consumption of diets with low salt and cholesterol saturation is another measure that can be adopted to reduce chances of developing heart diseases in women. Exercising frequently and maintaining a well and fit weight are also recommended. A healthy body weight is one with a body mass index of below 25 (Barrett-Connor 1866). Body weight above 25 is normally associated with increased chances of developing heart disease. Taking of medication for those already with high blood pressure may regulate and lower the chances of heart disease. Taking of preventive measures is more effective as most heart disease women patients are misdiagnosed as they and doctors tend to miss the symptoms. Breast cancer Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. This sort of cancer is simply second to lung cancer in a number of deaths among women. In spite of the fact that it is more common among women over 50 years, the risk is the same among younger women still (Dunpont, 1985). When detected early enough, breast cancer can be cured sooner than it spreads to further parts of the body. The first most significant symptom of this medical concern is the existence of a painless lump on the breast. Lumps may also be found on either armpit. Any abnormal change in the shape and appearance of the nipple is also another crucial symptom. In some cases, there is existence of a discharge from the nipples which are streaked with blood sometimes. The other element vital in understanding this disease in women is identifying and distinguishing the various types of breast cancer. There are two regular forms of breast cancer which are divided according to the place the cancer develops on the breast (Dunpont, 1985). One is the non-invasive breast cancer which is also known as carcinoma in situ. This particular kind of cancer is found in the ducts of the breasts and rarely develops to a lump that can be felt. The other type of cancer is an invasive breast cancer which enlarges in the cells that line the breast ducts. The most common of this type of cancer is invasive ductal breast cancer. This type of cancer accounts to more than 80% of all types of breast cancer. The other types of breast cancer include invasive lobular breast cancer and Paget’s disease of the breast. Invasive lobular breast cancer has been found to develop in the cells that line the lobules that produce milk. When the breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, the cancer is termed as secondary or metastatic breast cancer. Women are normally advised to regularly have their breasts checked. This is to enable doctors be able to detect the cancer at an early stage. Mammographic screening is the most effective method of identifying cancer at an early stage. This would unable easier management of the disease. Breast cancer is treated through a combination of protocols that include surgery, chemotherapy, and radio therapy. In extreme cases, hormone and biological treatments are done. The combination of treatments to be employed is dependent on the type of breast cancer in question. The importance of early detection of breast cancer cells is to ensure easier management as when the cancer is at the secondary stage is not curable. As with most cancers, the cause of breast cancer is not fully known. Measures that might be employed to prevent breast cancer are, therefore, not fully understood. However, studies have shown maintenance of a healthy weight, regular excreting and consumption of low fat diets as some of the ways of reducing the chances of the disease (Dunpont 150). Obesity among women who have experienced menopause has been singled out as a major risk factor of breast cancer. This is linked to the fact that being overweight leads to release of more oestrogen hormone which in turn increases the chances of getting breast cancer. After diagnosis, the patient should seek emotional support from family and friends so as to prevent the build-up of mental stress which might be detrimental to a woman's health (Ratner, 65). Depression Research has shown that women experience twice the rate of depression as men. This has been found to be the case across all races. Depression is a type of mental illness that occurs when a patient experiences disappointments that cause sadness which interferes with their ability to function. This is brought about by changes in the mood, mind, and behaviors. Researchers have linked several unique factors in women that increase the development of depression. Factors such as reproductive, hormonal, genetic, biological and different forms of abuse have been found to play a significant role behind the development of depression. According to (Noble, 2005), reproductive health events and mood changes are highly related among women. Females generally reach puberty before men. The hormonal changes during puberty contribute to increased chances of development of depression. This is triggered by factors such as increased conflicts with parents, emerging identity issues, sexuality issues and the pressure to perform in school or in sports. This form of mood disturbances continues through-out the life of women which leads to the development of depression among some. To clearly illustrate this, studies have shown from between 2 and 10% of women experience Premenstrual Dysphonic Disorder. Approximately 20-40% of women also suffer from mood changes during the periods when they are menstruating. Pregnancy has also been found as a trigger of depression among some women. Genetic factors are also some of the leading causes. This however is not unique to women as men too suffer from depression due to genetic factors. One of the major causes of depression among women, however, is through psychological factors. Sexual and physical abuse, traumatic life experiences, increased family responsibility and lack of social support in general have been cited as some of the major contributors of depression in women. According to GLORIA three out of five women diagnosed with depression were found to be victims of abuse. More compelling evidence on the contribution of sexual violence on development of depression was after a study found 100% of women who encountered childhood sexual violence developed depression at one part of their lives. The major symptoms unique to women include anxiety, oversleeping, increased anger and hostility and somatization. The most effective treatment program is through psychotherapy. According to (Noble, 2005), psychotherapy treatment is effective for women with mild and moderate depression. This treatment focuses on interpersonal therapy as well as cognitive therapy and has been found to be effective in women during pregnancy or nursing. For women patients who suffer from a more severe form of depression, anti-depressant medications are used. Autoimmune diseases Autoimmune diseases are disorders where the immune system attacks the body and alters cells. These disorders are more common among women with over 75% of reported cases occurring in women. After the making of intensive research, it was identified that autoimmune diseases are among the top ten causes of death among women across all age groups. Autoimmune diseases comprise of over 80 different chronic diseases. The main cause of this illness is not known and there has been extensive research on these diseases. The most common among these diseases include diabetes, thyroid disease, and lupus. According to researchers, the diseases might be caused by certain hormonal, genetic and environmental causes. Due to the difficulty in understanding of the causes of these illnesses, identifying the specific risk factors is challenging. The symptoms of autoimmune diseases are sometime non-specific which further makes diagnosis of these diseases challenging. It is, therefore, not surprising for women to visit the doctor severally with the disease not being detected. The treatment and management of autoimmune diseases are referred to as immunosuppression. This is a medical procedure that basically aims at decreasing the immune response (Sears, 1997). Recent genetic studies in various autoimmune diseases have established multiple genomic loci harboring risk variants. This is a major breakthrough as researchers might be able to identify the specific causes of these diseases which would aid in turn lead to the development of more effective cures and treatment protocols. Meanwhile, health practitioners advise women to consult medical help when faced with various symptoms to illnesses. Taking of the symptoms seriously is important as early diagnosis of these types of illnesses may significantly aid in their treatment. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is basically a disease that affects the bones. This makes the bones weak and susceptible to injuries. It is more common in men with studies suggesting that one out of two women suffer from broken bones due to Osteoporosis. This is hugely a higher statistic compared to men with studies indicating that only one out of four men may have their bones broken due to Osteoporosis. The disease arises when bones lose their density thus becoming weaker. Bones are living cells which require replacement after the old cells get worn out. When the process of creation of new bone cells is slower than the aging of old bones, osteoporosis occurs. Often, Osteoporosis is referred to as a silent disease since one does not notice the bones getting weaker. The major signs include breaking of bones, reduction in height and the curving of the upper back. The breaking of bones is more likely to occur in the joints such as wrists, hips and the spine. Researchers into this medical issue have long established that it is highly preventable. According to researchers, some of the behaviors that women adopt in their childhood play a significant part in the development of Osteoporosis. This is so due to the fact that most of the bone mass in the body is developed by the age of 30 years. After that period, the formation of new bone stops and the body now embarks on processes of maintaining the bones. Strong and healthy bones are hampered by inadequate calcium content in the diet as well as various weight bearing physical activities. Some of the risk factors that have been identified include low calcium and vitamin D intake, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, anorexia, certain sex hormones due to irregular menstrual cycles. Increase in age is also one of the factors in the development of this illness. Osteoporosis has been identified to be more common among White and Asian women. The disease is also genes related and an individual from a family with the history of this disease is highly likely to suffer from the same (Pashkow, 2001). Osteoporosis is known to cause people to have stooped or hunched postures. The disease might inhibit one from making frequent movements around which may lead to the development of depression. People who get broken bones often are advised to consult a healthcare provider where a bone density test is conducted. Women who undergo through early menopause are also at a higher risk of developing Osteoporosis. Pregnancy This is one medical issue which is uniquely women. A normal pregnancy begins after conception and lasts up to 40 weeks. The symptoms of pregnancy at the early stages includes absence of the menstrual periods, increase in the size of the breasts, nausea and a feeling of tiredness. Some women also show mood swing. A pregnancy test involves the measurement of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin in the urine or blood of a woman. When a woman confirms that they are pregnant, regular monitoring of the pregnancy by qualified medical personnel is important to ensure complications are avoided (Ratner, 1995). Body aches are common among pregnant women due to the expansion of the uterus. The pains are commonly felt in the back, the groin and hips. Pregnant women may sometimes feel tired even after long sleeping hours but studies have shown that that is a normal occurrence. It is common during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Women are advised to lie on their left sides and practice good sleeping habits. Swelling is also observed among many women in the hands, hands and ankles that become more noticeable as the pregnancy approaches the end. Pregnant women are advised to refrain from consumption of salty foods and intake of caffeine. Drinking of at least 8 glasses of water a day is also recommended. One of the most evident effects of pregnancy is the formation of stretch marks and skin changes on the thighs, buttocks and thighs. This has been found to be a worrying factor among some women and have been found to be caused by the stretching of the skin. Health practitioners however, advise women not to worry about the marks as they usually fade over time. References Barrett-Connor, E. (1991). Estrogen and coronary heart disease in women. The journal of the American medical association vol. 285, 1861-1867. Dunpont, W. D. (1985). Risk factors for breast cancer in women wioth proliferatuve breast disease. the new England journal of medicine, 146-151. Frankel, L. (1991). Women anger and depression . HCI. Noble, R. E. (2005). Depression in women. Journal of genetics and pathophysiology, 49-52. Pashkow, F. J., & Libov, C. (2001). The womens heart book: a complete guide to was keeping your heart healthy. Hyperton. Ratner, E. (1999). The fiesty woman`s breast cancer book. Hunter house. Sears, M., & Sears, W. (1997). The pregnancy book: month by month, everything you need to know from America`s baby experts. Little brown and company. Read More