Men’s Top Health Concerns
It’s common knowledge that women outnumber men in the U.S. population. What is less known is that more males are born each year than females. Why does this balance shift? Demetrius Porche, the registered nurse who serves as editor in chief of the American Journal of Men’s Health, puts it pretty simply: “Men put their health last,” he said.
The thing is, we know what issues need to be addressed to change this scenario. Following are some of the top health concerns for men and what they can do to live healthier – and longer—lives.
Heart disease. Improved cardiovascular health can make a huge difference in men’s longevity.
Cancer. We tend to think of cancer as a rogue disease that is more about bad luck than poor health habits. But many cancers can be prevented through lifestyle choices such as stopping smoking and reducing alcohol consumption and exposure to the sun’s rays. Even those that can’t be prevented can often be overcome with early detection, so get those screenings. Most concerning for men: prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Depression/suicide. Depression isn’t just about sadness; it’s a medical condition that too often leads to death by suicide, which is now the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. If you experience feelings of depression, address them with professional care. Your life might depend on it.
Diabetes. Diabetes can do a lot of damage, leading to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and more. Fortunately, there’s a lot that can be done to address it, from simple diet changes to exercise to medication. First, you have to know you have it. Get your blood sugar tested annually.
Flu. The flu can seem like just an annual annoyance, but to men who are immunocompromised, have respiratory problems or are generally unhealthy, it can be serious enough to lead to death. Annual vaccines can be life-savers, as can seeing your doctor when you do get the flu.
Accidents and injuries. Accidents and injuries are the third-leading cause of death for men. The challenge is that reducing accidents and injuries requires doing two things that men tend not to do: Be careful and take injuries seriously enough to get care.
Download February’s Full Newsletter Here
Tags: health