Men’s Common Health Issues To Be Aware Of

I can speak from experience that women are more likely to see a doctor for a routine medical check-up than men are.  It is just a well known fact.  It may even be because of fear.  Men, in general, do not like to be told they are unhealthy.  Understandable since more men still smoke than women.

But if we men could get brave enough to actually visit their physician, there are certain common men’s health problems that can be treated if caught early enough.  On the other hand, these problems can up being permanently debilitating or possibly fatal if not detected in time.  By the time the symptoms  become noticeable enough, it may be too late.

The most common health problem among men, of course, is heart disease.

My family is susceptible to it.  My brother had quadruple bypass surgery when he was only 45 years old.  Only 2 days ago (Jan. 31, 2008), he had a stroke.  It’s still too early as these first seven days are critical, but his left side is paralyzed, although he is able to move is left foot a little.

Two other health issues men need to concern themselves with are problems dealing with the prostrate and hypertension.  Even though hypertension is prevalent in a few of my friends and relatives, I actually have no acquaintances with prostrate problems – (lucky me).

The important thing to remember is that even though these three health issues may be “silent killers”, they can be readily treatable if you just go to see your doctor and get yourself checked out.

Between heart disease, prostate and hypertension problems, heart disease is the most common killer among men in America and Canada.  This is now also true of women as well.  In the United States alone, there are over well over 60 million people living with cardiovascular disease.  This number can be reduced dramatically if men could eat less high fat diets like fast food and exercise more often.

This can lead to high cholesterol levels which can end up blocking the arteries.  This can lead to possible blood clots in other parts of the body or even cause heart muscle failure.  A blood clot can also make its way to the heart causing a heart attack.

Heart attacks are a painful experience to go through, if you live through it that is.  However, if you do have heart disease and it is detected early enough, treatments are available to help you continue on with a long life.  Sure, you may have to make some lifestyle changes, but change is good for you if it is helpful.  When it comes to cardiovascular disease, the first line of defense is prevention.  If this doesn’t work, it’s time for heart treatments.

These treatments could be rather drastic if the damage is severe.  You may need heart surgery and drugs.  Along with prescribing medication for heart disease, your doctor may subscribe an approved program of diet and exercise.  So, even with heart disease, men can still live a long, full and fruitful life.

The Prostrate:

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer will occur in 2008.  Their site is at www.ACS.org and the link to download their cancer statistics is at  www.Cancer.org.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in men more than any other cancer.  For reasons not yet clear, African American men seem to have this type of cancer more than twice as much as in white men.  According to the ACS PDF document Prostate cancer rose rapidly between 1988 to 1992, but then declined sharply during the next three years and then leveling off since
1995.

Although we are starting to live longer, the impact of prostate cancer is still prevalent.  The good part is that it is easily treated if detected early enough during the disease’s progression.   If you are over the age of forty, an annual prostate checkup should be mandatory.  The bad part is that progression of prostate cancer is pretty slow, so people can live with this disease for years without experiencing any symptoms at all.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms may include:

1. Increase in urination frequency especially during the night.
2. Difficulty to urinate with possibility of painful or burning sensations
3. Painful ejaculation
4. Blood in urine or semen
5. Pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs

Hypertension:

Hypertension or high blood pressure, is often called “the silent killer” because it is usually asymptomatic until a heart attack or stroke occurs.  Along with your regualar checkup and prostate checkup, you should also make sure your blood pressure is within normal ranges for your age.  High blood pressure can affect us no matter what age we are.  Hypertension can be easily treated by medication and changes in lifestyle if caught early enough.