Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential to a healthy and prolonged life. That means getting regular medical checkups and making healthy lifestyle choices that will keep your body and mind functioning at their best.
According to the Men’s Health Network, contributing factors to men’s health decline are lack of awareness, unsatisfactory health education, unsustainable work habits, and poor lifestyle choices. You work hard so that you can provide a better future for yourself and your loved ones. But staying healthy and preventing health problems are important ways to provide security, too. Men need to be in tune with their health from all aspects, which is why you should take action to combat health challenges.
Heart Diseases
Men and women both suffer from heart disease, but statistics show men tend to be more likely to die from it, about 25 percent compared to women. The American Heart Association warns that more than one in three adult men have some form of cardiovascular disease. African-American men account for 100,000 more cardiovascular disease deaths compared to Caucasian men.
By taking precautions, educating yourself, and exercising often, you can reduce the risk of heart disease. Make sure to visit your doctor and have routine checkups to calculate your risks based on factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and even smoking habits if applicable.
Prostate Cancer
Within your body is an important, yet often overlooked, organ—your prostate. Although small, the prostate is crucial for reproductive health. It is a unique male organ located beneath the bladder and connects it to the penis.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the United States, following skin cancer. It is also the third leading cause of death from cancer. Although prostate cancer typically affects older men, it is seen in younger patients as well.
You should get your blood tested and start regular screening if you think you are at risk with prostate cancer. You can begin a twice-a-year test at the age of 45. Even if you are in good shape, continue it until you’re 75 to 80 years old.
High Uric Acid
Uric acids are substances naturally found in our bodies. When your kidneys do not process acid effectively, you may have a high level of uric acid. Some things that contribute to the buildup include overeating, too much alcohol consumption, diabetes, and being overweight.
Uric acid can build up in the joints and tissues, which might cause a range of health problems, including kidney disease, cancer, and gout. Gout is a common form of arthritis, and it causes severe pain and tenderness in the joints, especially those in the toes and ankles. Other gout symptoms include joint inflammation. If you are already suffering from discomfort linked to gout, there are dietary supplements for gout maintenance you can take to reduce uric acid levels.
Depression and Suicide
According to experts at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated six million men in the United States suffer from depressive disorders, including suicidal thoughts. It is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of SMI (substance use, mood disorders, and suicidal behavior) and help bring it to light.
If you’re feeling down for some time or think you are experiencing symptoms related to your mental health, you must seek support from family, friends, and a mental health expert like a psychologist.
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to dangerous complications, including kidney disease, nerve damage, stroke, heart disease, blindness, and depression. It mainly affects people over the age of 40.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that men get out, get active, and get informed. The ADA says that the best way to control your diabetes is to eat healthily and exercise. If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s wise to see your doctor for periodic screenings for diabetes.
Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer among both males and females in the country, with men being a bit higher at 121,680 new cases and 83,550 deaths.
Smoking cigarettes causes the majority of lung cancers. But it can also occur in people who never smoked and were exposed to second-hand smoking. You can reduce your risk of lung cancer by minimizing your exposure to tobacco smoke. Research also suggests that physically active individuals who eat right and maintain healthy body weight on average have a lower risk of developing lung cancer. They are less likely to develop the disease at all.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a virus linked to acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. There is no HIV cure yet, but some treatments help people suffering from HIV live longer, healthier lives. As of 2012 in the United States, 1.2 million people were living with HIV.
In 2018, men accounted for a staggering 81% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas. Gay, bisexual, and men who had intercourse with other men accounted for a whopping 86% of new diagnoses.
Final Thoughts
These health conditions are preventable. Talk to your medical provider today about how you can reduce your risks and prioritize a healthy lifestyle so that you can live a happier and more fulfilled life.
