Guys, this blog post is all about YOU. This month is Men’s Health Month, the goal of which is to raise awareness about preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Why do we need a whole month dedicated to men’s health? Because the health status of males in most countries is generally WORSE than our female counter parts.
Generally, more males die at the hands common diseases, more men experience accidents, and more men suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than women. At the same time, men visit the doctors less often and are far less likely to take action when they are “feeling off”. The reality is that many of the diseases that commonly affect men are preventable and treatable. The key is to be proactive in caring for yourself and knowing how to stay healthy. Here we have listed 3 of the most common major ailments that take men’s lives, and how to prevent them.
HEART DISEASE
Otherwise known as cardiovascular disease, heart disease is the number one killer in men, making it man’s worst enemy. Heart disease is also a common killer in females, making it a huge public health problem for men and women alike. However, heart disease is preventable.
Certain risk factors can increase one’s likelihood of developing heart. These factors can also increase the chance that an existing disease will get worse. These factors include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
- Unhealthy diet
- Stress
- Smoking
All of these factors put you at a higher risk of developing heart disease, but with a few simple lifestyle changes, you can put yourself at lower risk. Some wise changes are choosing a healthy eating plan and watching your weight, staying physically active, managing stress, limiting alcohol consumption, and not smoking.
PROSTATE CANCER
1.5 times more men than woman die from cancer. Men have a higher probability of developing cancer and don’t survive as long once they’ve been diagnosed. One cancer that is particularly dangerous to men is Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is usually a slow developing disease. A large majority of men with low grade prostate cancer can live for many years without experiencing symptoms and without it spreading or becoming potentially fatal. However, if left to develop, high grade prostate cancer can spread quickly and be fatal. Later stage symptoms of prostate cancer may include the frequent or sudden need to urinate, difficulty or discomfort urinating, or pain in the thighs, hips or lower back. Some risk factors that are closely linked to an increased chance of developing prostate cancer include:
- Age
- Family History
- Genetics
- Diet
While factors such as age, family history and genetics are out of your control, you can help lower your risk of developing prostate a multitude of ways that have to do with lifestyle. Choosing a low fat diet that includes omega-3s, maintaining a healthy body fat percentage, and exercising regularly can all help lower your risk.
DIABETES
Nearly 1.5 times more men die from diabetes than women. Diabetes is a disease in which your body can not maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can lead to a range of health problems such as issues with the nervous system, kidneys, skin, and eyes, as well as a raised risk for heart disease. Therefore, it’s important that men are aware of the risk factors of type 2 diabetes, which include:
- Being overweight
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- High sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet
- Low fiber diet
Fortunately, many of these complications are manageable if treated properly. Studies tell us that 90% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented, or delayed simply through a healthier diet and plenty of physical activity.
Listen up, guys. Whether you like it or not, regular trips to the doctor are important too. They can help you detect and treat some of these common diseases and set you up on a plan to prevent further problems. This month is about keeping you healthy, so make the change for a healthier life style.
