Men, in general, should be proactive about maintaining their health. Preventative care is the key to a lifetime of healthy living. Unfortunately, many men don’t know how to identify the telltale signs of specific health issues and can miss out on an opportunity to prevent the disease from taking hold. Here are eight common mens health issues you need to watch out for and what you can do about them if they arise:
Suicide & Depression
This is a common issue mainly discussed during men’s health month, celebrated every June. They are supposed not to want or need help – and they should be able to deal with any problems that come their way. While this might be a great idea on paper, it is simply not realistic, and it can have some adverse consequences – like suicide.
What do I do about it?
Suicide is a severe issue, and if the person you’re concerned about is showing any signs of wanting to hurt himself, it is essential to call a mental health professional right away.
Cardiovascular Diseases
This group of diseases includes clogged arteries, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in men and is often tied to high cholesterol levels. While cholesterol isn’t a disease by itself, if you have high levels, it makes it harder for your arteries to stay open and your heart to pump blood properly.
What do I do about it?
Once diagnosed, a doctor will work to determine the best treatment plan for you – and, if necessary, will work with your insurance provider to ensure you access the care you need. This is incredibly important – because we all want the best treatment possible when we’re feeling unwell.
Cancer
This group of diseases includes clogged arteries, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in men and is often tied to high cholesterol levels. While cholesterol isn’t a disease by itself, if you have high levels, it makes it harder for your arteries to stay open and your heart to pump blood properly.
What do I do about it?
The best way to get checked for cancer is to go through your yearly checkup. Visiting a medical spa after a cancer operation would help the physical and mental healing of scars.
Diabetes
Although it’s becoming more common in women than men, diabetes affects men disproportionately. Usually a lifelong issue, diabetes means your body can’t effectively use the glucose in your blood – causing you to feel excessively thirsty or hungry during the day (especially after eating). Other diabetes symptoms include frequent urination and blurry vision.
What do I do about it?
Diabetes, if left untreated, can have a lot of problems – such as heart and kidney disease. If you see warning signs and you’re not sure if it is diabetes or not, talk to your doctor – to make sure. There are ways to monitor your blood sugar levels and other tests that can help determine if you need a checkup or treatment.
Erectile Dysfunction
If you’re a young man, you could be making this mistake without even knowing it: You think everything is okay, and then one night, your girlfriend asks you about having sex. You tell her, yes, but you can’t quite get it up, so she gives up and has sex with another guy. This might sound like a funny story to tell your friends on a Saturday night – but if this happens, it could have been due to erectile dysfunction (ED) – or the inability to get an erection.
What do I do about it?
If you have ED, a few treatments could fix the problem. These include:
- Psychological Support
- Medication
- Less Sex
- Sex Therapy
Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is blocked. A stroke can send you into a coma and cause permanent damage to your body. While it’s one of the leading causes of death in men, most strokes are preventable with early detection and treatment.
What do I do about it?
The best thing you can do is know your risk factors for a stroke and regularly get checked by a doctor.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate gland is a small gland in the urinary tract of males that produces semen during ejaculation. Prostate cancer occurs when these cells change and grow abnormally, causing them to multiply uncontrollably.
What do I do about it?
Diagnosis usually comes with a digital rectal exam (DRE) or a PSA blood test. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or active surveillance.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is one of the most common health conditions that affect men and is another reason for being more proactive about prevention and early detection. With over 70% of men diagnosed with high blood pressure in their 40s and 50s, it’s essential to know how to decrease this risk factor early on.
What do I do about it?
This is an entirely preventable condition and can be controlled with a change in your lifestyle.
