Diabetes in females affects 9.1 million women in the United States alone. That figure represents 8.9% of all women. An even more frightening fact is that a third of these women have not been diagnosed yet, meaning they are unaware that they have a serious illness. They are not being treated, taking medication, or modifying their diet and lifestyle in any way.Diabetes in females, left untreated, can have serious implications.
Diabetic females are prone to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol, all of which contribute to heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Diabetic women and the incidences of heart attacks in women who have never suffered an attack are equal to those who have already had an attack. Females are also more inclined to experience complications and death from heart attacks than other group of people. Researchers are uncertain if these facts are due to female hormones, lifestyle, or socioeconomic factors.
Diabetes in Females – Risks for Older Women
Diabetes in females is a difficult card to be dealt, but according to researchers, the risks continue to increase as a women ages. New studies were conducted on postmenopausal women who were taking medications called Statins, to lower their cholesterol levels. Researchers found that a significant number of women (1 in 14) who did not have Diabetes prior to taking the medication developed Type 2 Diabetes towards the end of the trial.
While clinicians are still trying to ascertain why Statin may promote Diabetes, but they speculate that the medicine may have an adverse effect on the liver and muscles increasing glucose production. A second theory is that Statin alters a woman’s ability or intent to be physically active, raising her risks for obesity and Diabetes. Overall, women over fifty years of age who take Statins have a 48% higher chance of Diabetes than women who are not taking the medication, although researchers believe that the benefits of Satins outweigh the risks.
Diabetes in Females – Symptoms & Treatment
Diabetes in females can cause a plethora of symptoms. Depending on the type, signs of Diabetes may be sudden or slow. For example, females who develop type 1Diabetes, or insulin dependency, will experience ailments rather suddenly and can become ill very quickly. Those who develop Type 2 Diabetes, or insulin resistance, will notice symptoms gradually over time. Symptoms include an increase in thirst, urination, and weight loss. Women may also have weight loss, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and blurred vision. As the disease progresses and nerves become damaged, the women may report problems with her vision, bowels, feet, and joints, in addition to fostering other conditions like Metabolic Syndrome X and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
The onset and progression of any type of Diabetes is pronounced when women have uncontrolled blood glucose levels combined with high ranges of cholesterol, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and are overweight. To combat this Diabetes in females, women should exercise regularly, with a variety of aerobic activities that will strengthen muscle and joints, improve flexibility, and increase balance. In addition, they should refrain from smoking tobacco, and reduce or eliminate caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. They should modify their diet so all sources of protein are low fat and avoid fried and red meat. Processed, salty, and sugary foods can be replaced with complex carbohydrates, and vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables.
