It is said that behind every success of a man/woman, there is a woman/man. Even if it is not totally true, people admit that bad company is always very harmful for health — both mentally and physically. And in case of ‘husband and wife’ — they are the best and closest companion for each other. But, is ‘marriage’ good or bad for health?
According to the statistics, the answer is both. A recent study (American Psychosomatic Society) suggests that women suffer from health problems more than that of their husbands. But that does not mean that men do not suffer at all. More surprisingly, a study at the University of Missouri claimed that even murder can be a problem in marriages.
According to studies, about half of all unhappy marriages end in divorce (or separation) and it has been also proved in many researches that divorce is very bad for health as well. A study found that divorced men have a 20 per cent increase in health risk.
According to virologists at Ohio State University, couples who are used to with rows and arguments can be dreadful for health. They found that rowing couples are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and other diseases. Short temperament, flexible personality and haughty shouting are also awful.
An extensive study into the health and lifestyle of British civil servants, published in 2007, claimed that an unhappy marriage could lead to increased stress and risk of heart disease. Another Nottingham University study found that married men and women can pick up their partner’s health problems.
Discontented couples are more likely to feel depressed than happier couples, they are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and what not! A Utah University study found another maker known as metabolic syndrome — that is known to boost the risk of diabetes, heart diseases and even stroke.
On the other hand, Rotterdam University scientist found that from a checklist of 23 major illnesses and health problems, from migraines and cancer to arthritis, married people were healthier on every score than unmarried.
According to a Karolinska study, married people are half as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as single people. Another Swedish extensive study showed that married men were less likely to die from heart disease and strokes than their living together associates.
Many other studies also support that there are more health risks for unmarried compared to married men. But definitely, turbulent relationships between partners are not healthy factors. Especially people who suppress their emotion and anger are more at risk.
Certainly the couples who have good understandings and lead a healthy lifestyle are not only healthier than single people, but also better than unhappy married couples who have been together for years. Happy marriages are the healthiest, with married people having thinner heart walls and lower blood pressure.
Well, try to choose your partner carefully. Although an unhappy marriage is bad for health — but if it is already strained, focuses on sacrificing; as in modern life, marriage means probably nothing but adopting a sacrificing nature.
Dr Rubaiul Murshed
Source: The Daily Star, August 15, 2009
Leave a Reply