They also should exercise regularly, maintain ideal weight, and use alcohol in moderation. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, many could live independently or get by with home aid. Rheumatoid arthritis one of the more severe joint diseases is more prevalent among women than men and can be painful and crippling. Lupus, another rheumatic disease, also afflicts women more than men. Both are thought to be autoimmune diseases, but why women are so frequently targeted is unknown.
Women also have a much higher incidence of osteoporosis the progressive loss of bone mass than men.
Studies have found that by age 75, up to 90 percent of women have some degree of osteoporosis, making them vulnerable to fractures, especially of the wrists and hips. Almost 80 percent of hip fractures in the United States occur in women, and osteoporosis is a factor in a large majority of cases. Although most people experience some bone loss as they age, such preventive measures as adequate calcium intake, weight-bearing exercise, and estrogen replacement therapy can help keep it in check. But some researchers theorize that hormones may be a factor. One study found that women receiving estrogen replacement had 40 percent less Alzheimer's disease than women who did not receive hormone replacement.