How Diabetes Differs for Men and Women

On average women live longer than men, mostly because women face a lower probability of having heart related diseases as compared to men. However, in the case of women who have diabetes, this statement takes a 180 degrees flip as women, on average, are more adversely affected by diabetes as compared to men. In the past years, the death rates of men with diabetes fell while those of women did not move at all.

Apart from this substantial piece of evidence consider the fact that men with diabetes live, on average, around 7 years less than men without diabetes, however, women with diabetes live, on average, around 8 years less than women without diabetes. One of the main reasons why women are in this situation is that the bodies of men and women are certainly not the same. Hence, this disparity may be a consequence of physiology. In general, diabetic women are 6 times more likely to get a heart disease as compared to women without diabetes. In comparison, diabetic men are only 2 or 3 times more likely to get a heart disease.

Also, Women with diabetes are more likely to have poorer blood glucose control, be obese and have high blood pressure along with unhealthy levels of cholesterol. Heart attacks in the case of diabetic women are more likely to be fatal than in the case of diabetic men. This is because women experience may experience different warning signs of a heart attack as compared to men. Both men and women are most likely to suffer from pain in the chest or discomfort in the upper body, but in the case of women the probability to only feel shortness of breath, nausea, and pain in the back or in the jaw when having heart attack is much higher. Thus, women may not seek medical help as a result of underestimating these warning signs and may have a tougher time as far as their recovery is concerned. Another disparity that women suffer from is a higher chance of kidney related diseases.

In normal circumstances, men have a higher chance of kidney related diseases. Yet, when looking at only diabetic men and women, women are more likely to get a kidney related disease. Another fact about diabetic women is that they are twice as likely to suffer from depression as compared to men and that may also severely affect their diabetic condition. Biology may be blamed for this disparity between diabetic men and women. 

The change in internal hormonal and cholesterol levels in women after they get diabetes might be the culprit as far as higher chances of kidney and heart diseases are concerned, respectively. But another factor that contributes to the heightened danger of diseases among diabetic women is the different approach that doctors usually take when examining diabetic women. Since the chances of heart and kidney diseases are generally less among women, doctors do not examine them as aggressively as they should.

It is important, therefore, that women get regular and aggressive checkups from doctors and that they make sure their lifestyle choices are correct and lead them towards being more healthy.

Stress Management

Stress is one of the major causes for health dysfunctions among humans especially people suffering from diabetes. People with diabetes need to learn how to manage their stress as a part of improving their health. Stress can be induced by a number of things, but nothing causes stress more than the feeling of having to race against time. While we commute towards work, while we are at work, when we are at home, the sensation of being aware of the clock ticking is perhaps a constant reminder that there is less and less time left for us to actually do something to relieve ourselves from stress and relax. And when it comes to relaxing and let go off of stress, it is absolutely essential for diabetics to do so for their well being.

Often the need to change their lifestyle, eat in a particular way, exercise on a regular basis and keeping track of their diabetic condition all the time may be a cause of great stress for diabetics. However, assessing their daily routines can help diabetics realize that there are plenty of times throughout the day when they really can relax and get rid of stress. Stress or more importantly being without stress, really is, after all, a state of mind and does not have to be difficult to achieve. For instance, while going for work, one can listen to soothing music and contemplate on the finer things in life instead of stressing about the environment and the traffic around.

hat this example infers is that you point out the causes of stress in your life and think about how you can change them if you want to make a stress management plan. While you do this, also think about what helps relieve your tension and stress and what seems fruitful to you in life. Instead of wasting hours watching television or movies, think about what you really enjoy doing. Often integrating your life with your community, family and nature can be sources of a healthy and stress free lifestyle.

Here are some tips on how you can change your mindset from being one full of stress to one that is more relaxed:

• Just breath, breathing is what helps relax the mind and hence the body. So take time out to breathe; exhale and inhale deeply in order to lower your blood pressure, decrease anxiety, regulate your heart rhythm and improve your mental alertness.
• Spend more and more time being in nature than in the confines of the walls of your house. Nature has the power to heal and you can learn from its regenerating and recovering ability. Nature is an example of beautiful harmony and you must not separate yourself from it.
• Learn to be more patient, learn to let go off urgency and adopt efficiency.
• Be aware of others and how your actions can affect the ones around you.
• Face the decisions you have to make, and if there is something you can do nothing about, stop wasting your time trying to change it.
• Ask your dear ones for help and let them ease the burden off your shoulders.