Men's Health Awareness

Men often take their health for granted. Medical professionals can treat and cure preventable health problems most of the time if it is detected early. Men of all ages (including boys and youths) need to go for regular check-ups. Men who are over 40 are advised to go at least once a year. 

This Men’s Health Awareness Month, let’s look at some of the most common health concerns that men are facing. 

1. Heart disease

Heart disease is a term that includes many specific heart conditions. However, the most common heart diseases found in men are Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) – which can lead to heart attacks, chest pain known as angina, heart failure, and irregular heartbeats known as arrhythmias. In men, heart disease manifests itself about 10 years earlier in life than for women. A great number of the risk factors, however, are completely preventable. Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and high cholesterol are almost entirely up to choice, so you do have some control over your heart condition even if there is a history of 

cardiovascular disease in your family. And don’t forget that depression and mental distress also affect your heart health, so take care of your emotional and mental state too. 

2. Cancer

There are two types of cancers that affect men the most. They include: 

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a scary and aggressive disease. The scariest part about it is that it spreads silently and rapidly before you can notice any symptoms or large enough for it to be detected on X-Ray. By the time it is found, it is usually so advanced that it becomes almost impossible to treat. What makes it even more deadly is the fact that less than half the men that are diagnosed with it stay alive a year after diagnosis.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It is even more common than skin cancer. Even though only 1 in 35 men that are infected die from it, you should not trivialize it at all. It is impossible to prevent prostate cancer, but going for regular screening can save you from facing the worst, which is detecting cancer when it has already spread.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes remains one of the silent killers of Indian men. This is because it begins without any immediate symptoms. It is caused when glucose levels gradually rise in your body to the point that sugar ends up in your urine. If you do not make a habit of going for constant check-ups, leaving your high blood sugar levels to remain unchecked for long, the excess glucose will poison your blood vessels and every major organ in your body. This will result in heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and even amputations.

4. Depression and suicide

The suicide rate for men is 3.5 times higher than it is for women, with males accounting for seven out of 10 suicides in 2015. With depression comes a much higher risk of suicide. Unfortunately, male depression is underdiagnosed because men are less likely to seek help and because men don’t always develop standard symptoms, such as sadness, but instead are more likely to experience fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and a loss of interest in work and hobbies.

5. Kidney disease

Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking are just a few factors that increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, which can lead to complications including anemia, cardiovascular disease, decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction, decreased immune response, and kidney damage.

6. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Experiencing acid reflux symptoms on a regular basis (twice a week) is a good indication that you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease. The symptoms include a sharp burning sensation in your chest after a meal, bloating, a sour taste in the mouth when bending over or lying down, and hoarseness of voice.

Take preventive measures early on in life and you will be safe. Don’t forget that maintaining a healthy lifestyle and going for regular check-ups in reputable medical centers in India, like Regency Hospital, will help you to live a long, comfortable and productive life.