10 Risk Factors for Men about their Health Condition

Are you madly in love with your expensive car or favorite gadget? If yes, then you must be among those people who do not pay much heed towards their body. As per Men’s Health Network, poor education on health matters, lack of awareness, personal lifestyles and unhealthy work life are some reasons that have led to firm deterioration of overall well-being of men. See your medical GP provider to learn how you can reduce the risk of common conditions like depression, respiratory diseases, heart problems, and cancer.

Heart health – Heart disease may occur in different forms and all of them can cause serious, fatal complications if not treated on time. According to the American Heart Association, at least one in three adult men suffers from cardiovascular disease. African-American men have already accounted for 100,000 more cardiovascular disease deaths when compared to Caucasian men.

Stroke seems to target than 3 million men and high pressure is quite common in males who are below 45 years. With routine checkups, you can keep your heart beat properly. Your doctor will evaluate the risks for cardiovascular diseases depending on various factors such as your blood pressure, level of cholesterol and smoking habits.

COPD and other respiratory diseases – There are many respiratory diseases that begin with “smoker’s cough” that can be the reason for life-threatening conditions such as – emphysema, lung cancer or COPD. All these conditions seem to interfere with your ability to breathe properly.

As per the American Lung Association, more men are diagnosed and develop lung cancer each year than last year. African-American men have greater risk of dying from the disease in comparison to other ethnic or racial groups. Though there can be exposure to occupational hazards such as asbestos that can increase your risk, smoking is still the major cause of lung cancer. If you’ve smoked for more than 30 years, consider getting a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening.

Alcohol is your friend or enemy – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that men experience higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women. Men drink twice as much as women and are more prone to aggression and committing sexual assault.

If you consume too much alcohol, then this will increase the risk for cancer of your throat, liver, esophagus, mouth and colon. Alcohol also interferes with hormone production and testicular function that can cause infertility and impotence. According to the CDC, men have more chances of committing suicide than women and also more likely to drink when compared to women.

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Depression and suicide – Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimate that 6 million men suffer from depressive disorders, leading to suicidal thoughts each year.

Some ways to fight against depression are the following:

• doing your exercise regularly or going for routine walks in the neighborhood
  • writing down your thoughts in a piece of paper
  • communicating openly with your family members and friends
  • seeking for professional help without delay

Guidelines to prevent suicidal thoughts

If you find someone is at greater risk of self-harm or hurting others, then:

• Call at 911 or your local emergency number.
• Stay with the person till they get help.
• Remove any medications, knives, guns or other things that can be harmful for them.
• Listen but do not argue, threaten, judge or shout

If someone is having suicidal thoughts, they should seek immediate help from a crisis or suicide prevention helpline.

Unintended accidents and injuries – Unintentional injury is the major cause of death among women which include – traumatic brain injuries, drowning and fireworks-related mishaps. The death rate with motor vehicle for the male drivers and passengers are in the age group of 15 to 19 years. Also, the male workers have acquired 92 percent of the 5,524 total reported fatal occupational injuries. Hence, safety should be your primary concern at the time of driving any vehicle.

Liver disease – Your liver helps to digest food and absorb the nutrients. It also enables your body to get rid of toxic substances. Liver disease consists of certain conditions that include:

• viral hepatitis
• cirrhois
• genetic liver disease or autoimmune
• liver cancer
• alcoholic liver disease
• bile duct cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, too much use of tobacco and alcohol can increase the chances of suffering from liver disease.

Diabetes – Diabetes is considered to be the major reason for heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney damage, vision problems or blindness, if left untreated. Men who have diabetes suffer from the risk of sexual impotence and lower testosterone levels that can cause increased anxiety or depression. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) celebrates modern man who is aware about his blood sugar health. The ADA has further recommended that men “get out, get active, and get informed.”

You can control your diabetes by eating healthy and exercising daily. If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s important to visit your doctor and get regular screenings to manage the condition.

Pneumonia and influenza – Both pneumococcal infection are and influenza are the two leading health risks for men. Men who are having compromised immune systems due to diabetes, sickle cell anemia, congestive heart failure, COPD, AIDS, or cancer, they are highly susceptible to these diseases.

According to the American Lung Association, men are nearly 25 percent more likely to die from such illnesses than women. You should get vaccinated to protect yourself from pneumonia and influenza.

Skin cancer – According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, nearly two-thirds of melanoma deaths had been men in the past which is twice the rate of women. Sixty percent of all melanoma deaths had been white men who were over the age of 50.

You can protect yourself against skin cancer by wearing hats with wide brims, sunglasses, long sleeves and pants and sunscreen when you are outdoors. You may lessen the risk of skin cancer by avoiding direct exposure to UV light sources such as sunlamps or tanning beds.

AIDS and HIV – Men who have already been infected with HIV might not even realize it as its initial symptoms denote flu or cold.  Men who have had sex with men account for the existing and newer HIV infections. African-American men seem to have the highest rate of new HIV infection among all men.

Once you are aware of these 10 health risks for men, the next step is to change your daily habits and take a proactive approach to your health. It may feel daunting to discuss your health concerns with a doctor, but avoiding them could lead to more serious issues. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is recommended that you book an appointment for a full men’s health check at Health Screening Clinic and seek timely treatment.