Top 5 Health Concerns For Every Man

Men don’t like the doctor.

With an attitude that you only fix things that are broken, many men view going to the doctor as unnecessary and typically only visit the doctor when deathly ill - which my wife says is a common cold with the way I act when sick - or when it is too late.

Unfortunately, many of the health risks that men face can remain undetected until it is too late. The good news is that these health threats can be prevented or treated with an early diagnosis. According to a pamphlet received from a local medical center, here are the top five major health risks for men.

1. Heart Disease

Given that heart disease is the number one cause of death in men, regular check-ups are essential to reduce your risk. There are a variety of genetic factors and lifestyle choices that can increase your risk of heart disease, including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and smoking.

While many men don’t recognize the connection, problems below the belt can also be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. Men with erectile dysfunction are said to have twice the risk of developing heart disease.

2. Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer affects one in six American men. Common symptoms of prostate cancer include frequent urination - particularly at night - blood in the urine, difficulty or pain while urinating, and pain in the lower back.

Research is still underway on how to prevent prostate cancer, although the American Cancer Society does recommend eating less red meat to reduce your risk. In addition, regular exams can help detect the cancer and allow treatment to begin in the early stages.

3. Colorectal Cancer

In 2007, it was estimated that 55,000 men would be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer and there would be more than 26,000 deaths. The risk of colon cancer is higher for men over the age of 50, people with a history of cancer or polyps, smokers, and men with high-fat diets.

Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, vomiting, nausea, and fatigue. There are a variety of treatment options but again the key is early detection.

4. Stroke

A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of its oxygen supply as a result of a blocked or burst blood vessel in the brain. Common signs of a stroke include: numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding, trouble seeing with one one or both eyes, dizziness, or a sudden, severe headache.

In order to reduce your risk of suffering a stroke, you should maintain a healthy blood pressure and cholesterol while following a healthy eating lifestyle and exercising regularly. It is also recommended to avoid heavy drinking and smoking.

5. Obesity

With more and more Americans becoming obese, it is important to know that this increases the risk for a number of dangerous health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and other forms of cancer.

Obesity is typically determined using the body mass index (BMI), which is calculated using your height and weight. While there is a flaw with BMI in that elite athletes with large amounts of muscle and little fat technically have a high BMI, you should have a good feel for whether you are an elite athlete or you are overweight.

Key To Staying Healthy

With each of the health risks mentioned above, as well as many other risks that men face, prevention is the key to staying as healthy as possible.

That means the doctor should not be avoided as regular exams will be essential to detect any changes in your health and increase your chances of overcoming any health issues.

If you cannot remember the last time you saw your doctor - or if you don’t even have a doctor - pick up the phone and make an appointment today so you will be here tomorrow.