The average life expectancy at birth for women is presently 79 years of age. This is expected to increase over the next decade and is expected to peak at about 86 years of age by the year 2010. Advances in health and medicine are helping to reduce death from many of the chronic illnesses such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease that account for most of the deaths in women. A woman's choice will be living longer with a chronic illness or living well longer. New medications and treatments along with making some lifestyle changes now can help to make those extra years much more enjoyable. Lets look at some conditions that affect women.
Osteoporosis
The use of estrogen post menopause and drugs such as Fosamax® are helping to prevent the bone loss of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures, especially hip fractures in older women. Currently about 1/3 of seniors over 65 who fracture a hip will die within the first year. For the rest confinement to a wheelchair or nursing home is a very real possibility. To help prevent the development of osteoporosis, exercise and a calcium rich diet are very important. The earlier these lifestyle changes are initiated the better. Walking is a great exercise.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic progressive disease that if left uncontrolled can lead to blindness, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and heart attack. Research has found that keeping blood sugar under very tight control can delay or prevent any of these complications . Checking blood sugar levels daily, following a diet recommended by your doctor and exercise are usually very helpful.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for postmenopausal women. Lowering cholesterol, quitting smoking, losing weight and exercise can prevent heart disease. Prevention is very important because women's heart attacks are very different from those that men experience and may be diagnosed later with more resulting heart damage.
