10 Common Health Issues Men Should Be Aware Of
The human body requires regular care for longevity and a better quality of life. Men often ignore health issues due to a variety of reasons: lack of awareness, busy lives, insufficient health education and unhealthy personal and work lifestyles. Early detection and treatment are always good advice for physical and mental health challenges.
This article discusses ten common male health issues men should be aware of, including their risk factors and prevention.
10 Common Health Issues in Men
1. Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the heart. Often, with heart disease, there can be no warning signs, so they are easy to miss. Lifestyle choices play a vital role in developing cardiovascular diseases.
Lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, preserving a healthy body weight, and exercising daily can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also vital to keep track of blood glucose and cholesterol levels and keep them under healthy limits.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes, a metabolic disease, leads to high blood sugar levels. People with diabetes often present with no symptoms or warning signs.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and avoiding Smoking can help lower the risk of diabetes. Getting one’s blood sugar checked regularly for early detection is also essential.
3. Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer, a disease of male reproductive system, is a slow-progressing disease in the prostate gland. Prostate problems in men usually appear later in life. Prostate enlargement can also cause urinary problems in men.
Age and family history are the common risk factors for prostate cancer. For a better outcome in prostate cancer, early detection is critical. Hence, doctors recommend regular prostate screenings for men from the age of 55.
4. Skin Cancer
Exposure to the sun raises the risk of skin cancer. According to the CDC, men are less likely to use sunscreen products and, hence, are at a higher risk of skin cancer.
Changes in the skin are one of the warning signs of skin cancer. An example of such a skin change is the appearance of a new mole. For skin cancer detection, doctors recommend a whole-body skin exam to look for suspicious areas.
With early detection of skin cancer, the chances of making a full recovery are very high.
5. Testicular Cancer
While prostate cancer is common in older men, testicular cancer affects younger men more. Testicular cancer and its treatment is also a common cause of infertility problems in males.
A warning sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in the testicles. Risk factors of testicular cancer include undescended testes and family history.
Examining the testicles to look for lumps once a month can help detect the condition early.
6. Depression
Apart from common physical health conditions, mental health conditions like depression are also prevalent in men. Warning signs and symptoms of depression can often be confused or missed. These include chronic sadness, low appetite, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, etc.
Healthcare providers recommend seeking clinical intervention to combat depression effectively.
7. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a male sex problem related to maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse.
Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and heart disease, can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Apart from this, lifestyle factors such as tobacco, excess alcohol intake and a sedentary lifestyle can also cause erectile dysfunction.
Prompt medical attention and lifestyle changes are recommended for erectile dysfunction.
8. Influenza
Influenza is widespread in men with compromised immune systems. The immune system can be weakened by a number of health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes.
Timely vaccination can help prevent frequent occurrences of influenza.
9. Liver Diseases
The liver is an organ essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and removal of toxic substances from the body. Liver diseases include conditions such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, viral hepatitis and bile duct cancer.
Excessive alcohol and tobacco increase the risk of developing liver diseases.
10. Respiratory Diseases
Smoking is a prime contributor to respiratory diseases. It raises the risk of lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). These respiratory diseases, when left untreated, can be life-threatening.
Early detection and medical attention are essential to prevent long-term complications. Losing the smoking habit can greatly reduce the risk of respiratory diseases.
Certain health issues common in men can cause long-term complications when ignored and can even be life-threatening. Being aware, proactive, and recognizing early warning signs can go a long way in maintaining a healthy, well-functioning body.
Upon identifying any warning signs or symptoms of any health condition mentioned here, it is essential to consult a doctor and schedule the necessary tests with Dr Lal PathLabs.
FAQs
1. What are the five most common health conditions in men?
The most common health conditions in men are:
- Prostate cancer
- Erectile dysfunction
- Testicular cancer
- Skin cancer
- Colon cancer
2. What are the early warning signs of liver disease?
Some early signs of liver disease include:
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Low appetite
