There is a crisis in men’s health. Because of poor health habits, lack of health insurance, failure to seek medical attention, and dangerous occupations, men live sicker and die younger than women.
Men die at higher rates for 9 of the top 10 causes of death. This includes deaths from
cancer, diabetes, suicide, and accidents; and diseases of the heart, kidney, and liver.
Take control of your health by getting a yearly check-up from your healthcare provider. Your best chance of avoiding health problems that afflict men are prevention, self examination, and regular physician visits.
Here are some common health issues in men, that need to be addressed and looked out for.
1. Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases
STIs and STDs are common health issues that men in their 20s face, especially if they have multiple partners. The most common STI is human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause a number of cancers. Rates of herpes and chlamydia are also rising among young men, and rates of syphilis are rising generally across the country.
2. Cancer
Depending on family history and lifestyle, men can be at risk of many types of cancer throughout their lives. Younger men are often most at risk for skin cancer.
Later in life, men can also be more at risk of developing prostate and colon cancer. Men should start getting screened for it at age 40. Men who don’t have a family history should start getting screened at age 50. Statistics that show that rates of prostate cancer are a little bit higher in African Americans, so they should screen around 40 in general.
3. Cardiovascular Disease
More than one in three men has some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association, making it the number one men's health issue.
4. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also a problem many men face, it is more common in those with comorbidities, which is when two chronic conditions or diseases are present in a patient at the same time, such as diabetes, or hypertension. Men can experience erectile dysfunction as early as their 30s but may be more common in men in their 50s.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to a number of different health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, skin conditions, hearing impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression. Signs of this can start early in life, Men should be particularly aware that a lot of young men and older men often start a career and begin living on their own as early as in their teens in college and in their 20s, which means they can adopt drastically different exercise and eating habits, which if not careful can start us on a path to Diabetes and other health issues.
6. Depression and Thoughts of Suicide
More than six million men in the U.S. have depression every year. Statistics show men are probably the most underdiagnosed population as far as anxiety and depression. Men with depression are more likely to develop heart disease, and, though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to complete it — with suicide being the eighth leading cause of death for men.
7. Alcohol-Related Health Problems
According to the CDC, men are more likely to drink excessively than women, and they consistently have higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and injuries than women do.
8. Tobacco Use
Studies have found that men use tobacco products more than women, which leads to increased rates of lung diseases like COPD. Smoking is also the leading cause of lung cancer.
Remind the men in your life to be sure to schedule your annual physical to check for signs of any or all of these illnesses get plenty of rest, exercise and try to maintain a healthy diet.
Join us in raising Men and boys' health awareness by wearing Blue on Friday 6/17/2022.
Call us to get your physical appointment scheduled NOW!
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