Well to begin with, you sort of have to ask yourself why a man would be writing a review on a book devoted to women's health issues. The simple answer to that is that I have a wife, daughter, sister, mother (who passed away in the not so distant past), nieces, potential granddaughters and on top of that, probably more than half of my close friends are women. Needless to say, women make up a very important part (well over half) of my life. It is only prudent to know as much about something that is extremely important to me and you, and affects all of our lives in so many ways. That is why a guy is writing a review on this subject.
I must say that this work has been quite an eye opener. My wife, for many years, has observed that there seems to be almost a double standard in health care in this country which is based on many factors, but that gender is certainly one of the primary dividing points, along with social, racial, financial and culturally dividers. Now this problem seems to her (and me) to be increased if a combination of these factors are present, e.g. a lower income and lower educated black woman versus a higher income, higher educated white guy, as an example. It is an absolute proven fact that African American women share a gigantic disproportionate burden of health problems compared to other groups of women and this burden becomes even greater when compared to that of the care given to white males. But the thrust of this book and our primary interest in this case is not racial or economic, but rather women general, and women specifically. This is the area, on a personal level, that she, (and by association and projection and concern), I are most interested in at this time.
This single volume, The Savvy Woman Patient is an excellent primer; indeed, it went far beyond the primer stage, in answering many of my questions. As we all know, or as we all should know, women are different than men in many ways. Their physical and mental reaction as too many disease processes and conditions are quite different than men. So often this is completely overlooked, even by the most astute health care professional, both men and women, I fear. How a woman's body reacts to a disease process in many cases, is quite different than the reaction of a man's.
These differences we are talking about go even deeper than end results and begin in early adolescence. Facts such as that girls may quite likely develop symptoms of nicotine addiction faster than boys and can in fact become addicted to nicotine even before they become regular smokers is not a bit of information to take lightly. The same holds true with the speed and susceptibility to health disorders due to alcohol and is really a rather good thing to know. It is interesting and vital to note such information that although more men than women have hypertention at younger ages, women develop hypertension at a greater rate than men as they age; it is more common in women older than age 60 than in similarly aged men. Now what is odd here is the fact that women are far more likely than men to be aware that they have hypertension and to seek and receive treatment. Yet, surprisingly women are less likely to have their blood pressure adequately controlled! It is good to ask the question, Why?
It is also a proven fact that health care professionals are much more likely to pay less attention to the health complaints of women than they are men. Study after study has proven this beyond all possible doubt. Now granted, things are getting better in this area, but we yet have a long, long way to go. Information is nothing but pure power and empowerment. Conditions and attitudes simply will not change unless power is exerted in one form or another. This work gives women, and the men to care about them, a great deal of the power needed to create positive change.
In a very readable and understandable way, this work addresses issues such as Bone and Muscle Health, Cancer, Digestive Tract and Liver Disease, Eye Disease, Heart Diseases, Autoimmunity, Mental Health and Mental Illness, Oral Health, Painful Conditions, Pulmonary Diseases, Sexual Dissatisfactions, Sexual Health, Sleep Disorders, stroke and Urinary and Bladder Health. Each and every one of these conditions or concerns are different in women than in men and this is not always considered in their assessments, evaluations and treatment regimens. There is a wonderful section of this book that sheds much light on hormonal differences and how they affect the body along with related problems.
Now do not think that this is one of those books that some of our lesser enlighten fellow humans chalk off as "just another women's lib book." Oh my no! This work lays out cold hard, thoroughly researched facts. This works gives sound practical advice to women; information to well arm them in their encounters with physicians and other healthcare professional, who knowingly, or which is more often the case, unknowingly give short change when it comes to the diagnoses, treatment and follow up of women's health issues. This work is absolutely packed with the right questions, the right concerns and the right approaches for women dealing with our health care system. No complaining is found in this work; just pragmatic reality and how to react to this reality.
This is a very professionally done work and for its size, only 366 pages, packs a wealth of vital, practical and life saving information.
This work should be on the reading shelf of every woman and on the reading shelf of every man concerned about women.
Remember, women are different than men and it is about time our health delivery system became fully aware of that fact. A knowing, educated patient, asking the right questions and demanding the correct answers and care will bring us much closer to an equitable system and we will all benefit from this. I do highly recommend this work!
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
See how to get this book, click here:>>>The Savvy Woman Patient: How and Why Your Sex Matters to Your Health (Capital Savvy)
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