Mens Health Problems
Men's health problems can be unique to their gender, such as erectile dysfunction, prostate and testicular cancer, and those that also strike women but affect men more, such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, accidents and suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women on average outlive men by about five years. The average life expectancy of a man in the U.S. in 2003 was 74.8 years.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Heart disease is the number one killer of men, who are at higher risk of suffering from the illness than women (see Reference 1). But they can work to prevent heart disease by consuming a a diet low in saturated fat, including at least two and a half hours of exercise a week, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Call a doctor or 911 immediately if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, numbness, loss of vision or speech, coordination problems or any related unexplained symptoms. Treatments for heart attacks and strokes must be administered immediately, as they are most effective when given within minutes of the incident.
Cancer
Lung cancer is the number-one killer of men, and, consequently, stopping smoking is the best way to prevent getting the disease (see References 1). Prostate cancer is the second-leading type of the disease in men, so having a regular prostate exam and prostate screening tests are recommended. Testicular cancer is a leading cancer in boys and young men, who should learn to perform testicular self exams. In addition, men and boys who work or play in the sun should wear sunscreen and clothing that covers their arms and legs to prevent skin cancer.
Symptoms that should be evaluated by a physician include weight loss, appetite loss, weakness, fatigue, coughing up blood, blood in the urine or stool, and new lumps and bumps. Moles and skin lesions that are new, have grown or changed in size or color, or itch or bleed should be treated by a doctor.
Accidents
Men are more likely to be injured in an accident and are twice as likely as women to suffer a traumatic brain injury. In addition, they are 12 times more likely than women to suffer a workplace injury, and male high school students are less likely to wear seat belts than their female counterparts (see References 1). Accordingly, males should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, wear a helmet and make safety a priority in the workplace.
Suicide and Depression
Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to die as a result. In 2004, 80 percent of suicide deaths were men (see References 1). It is thought that that phenomenon is a result of men being less likely to talk about their problems or seek help. Signs of depression include feeling stressed, overwhelmed, irritated, argumentative, having trouble sleeping, a loss of energy, a gain or loss of weight and a loss of interest in normal activities.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Painful urination, such as the feeling that you are urinating glass can be a sign of gonorrhea, which can increase the likelihood of developing HIV (see References 1). Chlamydia is also common, and men may transmit it without symptoms, causing pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility (see References 2). Get tested, know your HIV status, and share those results with your partner.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, the persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection for sexual intercourse, affects between 10 and 20 million men in the U.S. It is often caused by blood vessel diseases, although up to a quarter of cases are due to side effects from medicines for hypertension or depression (see References 3). Other causes include smoking, chronic alcoholism and, rarely, low testosterone. Medicines such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) are used to relax smooth muscles to enhance erection. Men who take nitrates and some blood thinners should not take these medicines, and those who have a history of stroke, heart disease or blood pressure problems should discuss erectile dysfunction with their physician before proceeding with any course of treatment.
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