Health Risks for Men

Thanks to advances in medical technology, diet, and treatment, as a species we are living longer than ever before, particularly in the comparatively wealthy West. However, despite these improvements, there is still much more that can be done to combat poor health.

In fact, one of the greatest challenges for governments and health organizations is to raise awareness of health risks, particularly among men. Social attitudes are changing, but it is still the case that a large proportion of men are brought up to believe that they should be tough and not seek treatment for physical ailments.

It is for this reason that so many men suffer serious health complications. There are a number of particular health problems that are relevant to men, either because they affect parts of the male anatomy, or because men are statistically more likely to be vulnerable to them. Here are some of the main health risks of which men should be aware.

Hypertension

Hypertension is a disorder of blood pressure and is diagnosed when a patient is found to have a raised level of arterial pressure. There is a range of factors that can contribute to hypertension, and the condition has significant implications, often leading to serious problems, including heart disease, visual problems, and kidney disease. If it is untreated, then hypertension can have a negative effect on all your body’s main organs and can reduce lifespan.

Reproductive health

It has been found that as many as 40% of men passed the age of 40 are likely to suffer from one or more issues associated with reproductive health. These include erectile dysfunction, ejaculation issues, and impotence. Erol Onel is one of many US experts in the field of reproductive health who are working to find new ways to solve many of these health problems. There is a lot that can be done to treat them, so it is important that men who experience any sexual or reproductive health issue speak to their physician, not least because problems of this kind can often indicate an underlying disease, such as diabetes.

Cholesterol problems

Over the years, cholesterol has had a bad press, but it is important to understand that it is not cholesterol itself that is a problem. In fact, this substance plays a vital part in a number of key bodily functions. The issue is that many of the foods that we consume today contain too much cholesterol, which then builds up in our arteries, leading to a risk of serious life-inhibiting conditions, such as heart disease and atherosclerosis. Statistically, men are more susceptible to high cholesterol, which can be controlled with dietary changes.

Heart disease

Heart disease is a phrase that covers a wide number of conditions affecting the ability of the heart to work normally and is also known as coronary artery disease or cardiovascular disease. This complication can lead to many dangerous health issues, such as heart failure, angina, and sudden-onset cardiac arrest, and as with cholesterol problems, men are significantly more likely to be affected by heart disease than women.

Male incontinence

Male incontinence comes in three broad forms: acute, chronic or temporary. Acute incontinence is of sudden onset, while chronic incontinence is a long-term problem, and temporary incontinence is intermittent. Male incontinence can occur at any time of life, as a result of many factors, including prostate enlargement, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. Fortunately, many male incontinence problems can be effectively treated.

Obesity

There is plenty of research that shows men to be more at risk of obesity than a woman, and less likely either to seek help or to adopt lifestyle changes to tackle it. Obesity is a serious condition that can be a contributing factor to many health problems, including heart complications, strokes, diabetes, and depression.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is particularly prevalent in older men but can affect those under the age of 40, and if it is not treated, then it can eventually spread to other parts of the body. The good news is that when caught early, it is possible to treat the disease effectively, which is why all men are advised to be screened for prostate cancer if they are over 50 or if they have any of the common risk factors, including a family history of the disease.

Conclusion

Although attitudes towards male health are changing, it is still the case that men are less likely than women to take their health seriously. However, many of the conditions detailed above can be treated or cured. That’s why many healthcare organizations are working to raise awareness of the health risks among men and encouraging them to be proactive in reducing that risk and improving their wellbeing.