Men and regular doctor visits go together like water and oil.
In fact, guys would rather discuss their health issues with strangers at a bar than go for a medical checkup.
That’s because guys are like ostriches when it comes to men’s health problems. They bury their heads in the sand and simply wish the problem away.
To their credit, though, men are just displaying typical male behavior, right? Well, they couldn’t be more wrong!
It’s probably due to this stubbornness and reluctance to see the doctor regularly, lead a healthy lifestyle, and take symptoms seriously, that men die seven years earlier on average than women.
Below are 10 common male health problems you need to know so you can work toward a healthier, happier you.
1. Heart Disease
This disease comes in various forms, all of which can lead to serious, life-threatening complications if undetected.
More than a third of adult men in America have some kind of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Black men account for a hundred thousand more deaths from heart disease than Caucasian Men.
Stroke afflicts over three million men in America and hypertension is common in men below the age of 45. Routine checkups may help keep your heart beating.
Your doctor can assess your risk for heart disease based on a number of factors, including your blood pressure, cholesterol, and smoking habits.
2. Prostate Cancer
This is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in guys, after lung cancer.
Thankfully, prostate cancer is treatable if detected early but, unfortunately, it doesn’t show symptoms until it’s spread to other areas of the body. While the older you get, the more your risk, younger guys can also get it.
3. Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and emphysema cause around five percent of male deaths. The most avoidable risk factor is smoking.
But, new screening methods have been developed. With low-dose CT scanning, lung cancer can be detected before it spreads.
If you’ve smoked for decades, ask your doctor for a screening. They can detect any tiny growths and manage them before they spread.
4. Diabetes
Untreated diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction(ED) and other urological issues in men. It can also cause dehydration, nerve damage (neuropathy), and damage to the kidneys, eyes, and hearing.
After gaining weight, men are more likely to get diabetes than women. Moreover, guys usually store fat differently to women, which raises their risk.
5. Depression and Suicide
Research shows that over six million men have depressive disorders, including suicidal thoughts, every year.
Some ways to manage depression include:
- Exercising regularly, even just walking regularly around your neighborhood
- Writing down or journaling your thoughts
- Seeking professional help
- Communicating openly with family and friends
Suicide Prevention
If you believe someone is at an immediate risk of hurting another person or harming themselves:
- Call your local emergency number
- Calm the person down until you find help
- Remove any knives, medications, guns, or other items that can cause harm
- Listen but don’t argue, yell, judge, or threaten
6. Liver Disease
The liver helps digest food and take in nutrients. It also rids the body of toxic waste. Liver disease includes disorders like:
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Genetic or autoimmune liver diseases
- Viral hepatitis
Alcohol and tobacco consumption heightens your risk of having liver disease, so limit or avoid them altogether.
7. Unintentional Accidents and Injuries
Accidents are inevitable and the secret to reducing the risk of fatality is to avoid potentially dangerous situations and use common sense.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a no-no. It puts the lives of the driver and the passengers in serious danger.
Impaired driving also involves driving while sleepy or tired. Cell phone use and texting while driving can also cause accidents.
Simple actions such as putting on a seatbelt while riding in a car, putting on a helmet when skiing, skateboarding, cycling or other activities that may cause head injuries can help reduce the risk of death in case of an accident.
Most accidents occur at home and routine prevention may help minimize them. Simple solutions include ensuring that floors aren’t wet or slippery, driveways and walks are well maintained and properly lit at night, and stair railings are secure.
8. Alcohol Addiction
According to CDC, men are at a higher risk of alcohol-related injuries and deaths than women. Men drink twice as much alcohol as women. They’re also likely to be more aggressive and sexually abusive towards women.
Alcohol intake raises your risk for oral, throat, esophageal, colon, and liver cancer. It also interferes with hormone function and testicular function. This can cause impotence and infertility.
Men are also more likely to commit suicide than women. They’re also more likely to do so after drinking.
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9. Erectile Dysfunction
It may be your least favorite topic, we understand! But if you occasionally have erectile dysfunction, you aren’t alone. Many men are in the same boat!
Thankfully, ED is a highly treatable problem. However, it may sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, including diabetes and heart disease.
10. Stroke
Of all men’s diseases, stroke is the fifth most common cause of death. It happens when a blood clot or broken blood vessels cut off blood supply to the brain.
Signs of stroke include face drooping, arm numbness or weakness, and speech problems. Call 911 immediately if you notice these signs.
The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes are avoidable. You can minimize your odds of developing a stroke by controlling your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Quitting smoking can also help.
Keep Men’s Health Problems at Bay
Now that you’re well informed about 10 of the most common men’s health problems, your next step should be to make changes to your lifestyle and take charge of your health.
Questioning your health may be terrifying, but overlooking it can cause serious consequences. Make sure to get regular checkups for any of these men’s health issues. Remember, prevention is the key!
Apart from advice on men’s health and fitness, our blog also has tips on male grooming, sex, relationships, fatherhood, etc!
