- Written by Lynn Glenn and Jeff Behar
The following are the top health threats for men, along with tips on how you can reduce the risks:
Cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the leading men's health threat. In cardiovascular disease, cholesterol plaques gradually block the arteries in the heart and brain. If a plaque becomes unstable, a blood clot forms, blocking the artery and causing a heart attack or stroke. One in five men will die from cardiovascular disease for unclear reasons. Men's average age for death from cardiovascular disease is under 65. Reduce heart disease and stroke risk by: Getting your cholesterol checked, can reduce this health threat, beginning at age 25 and every five years after. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you smoke, stop. Increase your physical activity level to 30 minutes per day. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated or trans fats.
Diabetes. Diabetes, the silent health threat for men, usually begins without symptoms. Over years, blood sugar levels creep higher, eventually spilling into the urine. The resulting frequent urination and thirst are what finally bring many men to the doctor. Excess glucose acts like a slow poison on blood vessels and nerves everywhere in the body. Heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations are the fallout for thousands of men. Reduce diabetes risk by: Exercising, in combination with a healthy diet, can prevent type 2 diabetes from becoming a health threat. Moderate weight loss -- for those who are overweight -- and 30 minutes a day of physical activity reduced the chance of diabetes by more than 50%.
Lung cancer. Lung cancer is still a leading health threat to men. Lung cancer spreads early, usually before it grows large enough to cause symptoms or even show up on an X-ray. By the time it's found, lung cancer is often advanced and difficult to cure. Less than half of men are alive a year later. Tobacco smoke causes 90% of all lung cancers. Reduce lung cancer risk by: Quitting smoking, at any age reduces the risk for lung cancer and prevents lung cancer from becoming a leading health threat for men.
Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer health threat for men. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland behind the penis, is prone to problems as men age. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer. Close to 200,000 men will develop prostate cancer this year in the U.S. But while one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, only one in 35 will die from it. Many prostate cancers are slow-growing and unlikely to spread, while others are aggressive. Reduce prostate cancer risk by: Having your prostate screen for cancer, which requires a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA) can reduce this health threat. See your doctor regularly and talk about your overall risk.
Erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a common health threat in men. Erectile dysfunction may not be life threatening, but it's still signals an important health problem. Two-thirds of men older than 70 and up to 39% of 40-year-old men have problems with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is most often caused by atherosclerosis -- the same process that causes heart attacks and strokes. In fact, having ED frequently means that blood vessels throughout the body are in less-than-perfect health. Doctors consider erectile dysfunction an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease. Treatment for erectile dysfunction: There are drugs and treatments that help with erectile dysfunction and make a fulfilling sex life possible, but they don't cure the condition. If you have erectile dysfunction, before it becomes a health threat, see your doctor and ask if more than your sex life is at risk.
Depression and suicide. Men are at greater risk for depression. This health threat isn't just a bad mood, a rough patch, or the blues. It's an emotional disturbance that affects your whole body and overall health. Brain chemicals and stress hormones are out of balance. Sleep, appetite, and energy level are disturbed. Research even suggests men with depression are more likely to develop heart disease. Men are less likely to seek help for depression. The results can be tragic. Women attempt suicide more often, but men are more successful at completing it. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among all men; for young men it's higher. Reduce depression and suicide risk by: For this health threat most men respond well to depression treatment with medications, therapy, or both. If you think you might be depressed, reach out to your doctor or someone close to you, and seek help.
Men’s Health Bottom Line
If you would like to lower these health threats and live well past 74.8, (the statistical average age that men in the US live according to MayoClinic.com), you should lead a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, stop smoking or avoid it completely. Also in order to significantly reduce these health threats affecting men it is important to take preventive measures against injuries and accidents – and get regular checkups with your doctor.
Cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the leading men's health threat. In cardiovascular disease, cholesterol plaques gradually block the arteries in the heart and brain. If a plaque becomes unstable, a blood clot forms, blocking the artery and causing a heart attack or stroke. One in five men will die from cardiovascular disease for unclear reasons. Men's average age for death from cardiovascular disease is under 65. Reduce heart disease and stroke risk by: Getting your cholesterol checked, can reduce this health threat, beginning at age 25 and every five years after. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you smoke, stop. Increase your physical activity level to 30 minutes per day. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less saturated or trans fats.
Diabetes. Diabetes, the silent health threat for men, usually begins without symptoms. Over years, blood sugar levels creep higher, eventually spilling into the urine. The resulting frequent urination and thirst are what finally bring many men to the doctor. Excess glucose acts like a slow poison on blood vessels and nerves everywhere in the body. Heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations are the fallout for thousands of men. Reduce diabetes risk by: Exercising, in combination with a healthy diet, can prevent type 2 diabetes from becoming a health threat. Moderate weight loss -- for those who are overweight -- and 30 minutes a day of physical activity reduced the chance of diabetes by more than 50%.
Lung cancer. Lung cancer is still a leading health threat to men. Lung cancer spreads early, usually before it grows large enough to cause symptoms or even show up on an X-ray. By the time it's found, lung cancer is often advanced and difficult to cure. Less than half of men are alive a year later. Tobacco smoke causes 90% of all lung cancers. Reduce lung cancer risk by: Quitting smoking, at any age reduces the risk for lung cancer and prevents lung cancer from becoming a leading health threat for men.
Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer health threat for men. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland behind the penis, is prone to problems as men age. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer. Close to 200,000 men will develop prostate cancer this year in the U.S. But while one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, only one in 35 will die from it. Many prostate cancers are slow-growing and unlikely to spread, while others are aggressive. Reduce prostate cancer risk by: Having your prostate screen for cancer, which requires a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA) can reduce this health threat. See your doctor regularly and talk about your overall risk.
Erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a common health threat in men. Erectile dysfunction may not be life threatening, but it's still signals an important health problem. Two-thirds of men older than 70 and up to 39% of 40-year-old men have problems with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is most often caused by atherosclerosis -- the same process that causes heart attacks and strokes. In fact, having ED frequently means that blood vessels throughout the body are in less-than-perfect health. Doctors consider erectile dysfunction an early warning sign for cardiovascular disease. Treatment for erectile dysfunction: There are drugs and treatments that help with erectile dysfunction and make a fulfilling sex life possible, but they don't cure the condition. If you have erectile dysfunction, before it becomes a health threat, see your doctor and ask if more than your sex life is at risk.
Depression and suicide. Men are at greater risk for depression. This health threat isn't just a bad mood, a rough patch, or the blues. It's an emotional disturbance that affects your whole body and overall health. Brain chemicals and stress hormones are out of balance. Sleep, appetite, and energy level are disturbed. Research even suggests men with depression are more likely to develop heart disease. Men are less likely to seek help for depression. The results can be tragic. Women attempt suicide more often, but men are more successful at completing it. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among all men; for young men it's higher. Reduce depression and suicide risk by: For this health threat most men respond well to depression treatment with medications, therapy, or both. If you think you might be depressed, reach out to your doctor or someone close to you, and seek help.
Men’s Health Bottom Line
If you would like to lower these health threats and live well past 74.8, (the statistical average age that men in the US live according to MayoClinic.com), you should lead a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise, stop smoking or avoid it completely. Also in order to significantly reduce these health threats affecting men it is important to take preventive measures against injuries and accidents – and get regular checkups with your doctor.
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