There are obvious explanations for why women live longer than men, but doctors have explained that there are several other factors that may explain why life expectancy varies so much between the sexes
It is well known that women live longer on average than men. In almost every society around the world, you will find women outliving their male counterparts.
In the United States, there are several years between the average age a man and a woman should live, with women living an average of about 79.3 years and men 73.5 years, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some people can immediately point to the obvious answers, such as traditionally more men than women tend to do more dangerous jobs as well as physical jobs – which in turn affects their bodies as they age. But the answer also lies in the way the human body functions. Several doctors explained what was said HuffPost there are a number of reasons why men die before women.
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It’s in the hormones
According to experts, the hormone estrogen plays a big role. dr. Robert Segal said, “Estrogen keeps blood vessels healthy by causing dilation (widening of blood vessels) and improving endothelial cell function.”
dr. Segal, a cardiologist and founder of Manhattan Cardiology, added: “This can improve blood flow and reduce the risk of atherosclerosiswhich is the leading cause of heart disease.”
Reproductive hormone also helps improve cholesterol profile by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels. dr. Segal explained that estrogen also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels, reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure and heart disease – the number one cause of death in Americans.
High risk behavior
Men are more likely to engage in risky behavior than women, one expert explained. dr. Rohit Vuppuluri, an international cardiologist from Chicago, said men are more likely to have social habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs and making poor dietary choices.
He explained that the behavior “increases the risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and obesity. All these chronic diseases increase morbidity and can ultimately lead to worse mortality.”
In addition, men tend to do more dangerous jobs than women and are more likely to drive recklessly and take risks in sports, leading to life-shortening injuries.
Women choose healthier food
Eating a good, nutritious diet can help you live longer, and research shows that women are more likely to do so than men. Blanca Garcia, Healthcanal Dietitian Nutritionist, said: “I firmly believe that diet and exercise play a huge role in a person’s longevity. Better food choices keep the body in balance, and movement keeps muscles and bones stronger.”
dr. Segal also emphasized that diet and exercise play a role. He said anyone who exercises regularly is more likely to have “better heart health, weight control and general well-being, all of which can add years to your life.”
He added: “Changes in eating and exercise habits, among other things, can help both men and women live longer and healthier lives.”
Men suppress their emotions
Psychologist Avigail Lev believes that the suppression of emotions and a short life span are connected. A licensed clinical psychologist and founder and director of the Bay Area CBT Center in California said, “”Men are conditioned by society to deeply repress and repress their emotions. Because of their emotional suppression and other factors, women tend to have more socially intimate relationships, providing them with support they can rely on.”
There is also the advantage that women have larger social circles. dr. Naval Parikh, a primary care physician in Florida, said, “Women tend to have larger social networks and stronger social ties, which can have a positive effect on mental health,” he said. This support system means that women “tend to have better stress coping mechanisms.”
Suppressing emotions is linked to a number of health problems – it can increase stress levels, increase cortisol levels, affect your sleep, relationships and relationships. In turn, this can increase the likelihood of developing mental health conditions such as trauma, depression and anxiety. There are also links to increase blood pressurecardiovascular risks and a weaker immune system.
Women go to the doctor more often
Men are more likely than women to dismiss the problem rather than seek medical attention, Dr. Vuppuluri explained. He said: “Men are more likely to dismiss any episodes of chest pain or shortness of breath as just a minor symptom that will go away over time, rather than seek medical help to find out if it is something to worry about. Men resist seeking help and continue to deal with their ailments until they reach a dire situation, which then leads to worse medical outcomes.”
There is also evidence to suggest that those seeking help do not always follow the advice they are given. A 2017 study by the American Academy of Family Physicians found that up to half of men who seek medical attention do not follow their doctor’s recommendations. This includes not filling prescriptions, not taking those prescriptions as directed, not showing up for follow-up appointments.
“Men are less likely to agree to take medication if they are not actively feeling unhappy,” said Dr. Vuppuluri. This is bad news for men suffering from hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus because the symptoms are not often felt. Failure to take medication to treat these problems can cause irreversible organ failure.
There are steps for everyone, male or female take that it can extend your lifespan and help you lead a healthier life overall. Exercising, eating healthy foods, seeing your doctor, and improving your emotional health are all steps anyone can take to make sure they’re around for years to come.
