10 minute read

TOP HEALTH PROBLEMS IN MEN

Next Article
PET CARE

PET CARE

Heart HealtH Heart disease comes in many forms. All of its forms can lead to serious, fatal complications if undetected. One in three adult men have some form of cardiovascular disease. Stroke targets more than 3 million men. High blood pressure is common in males under the age of 45. Routine checkups are essential to keep that heart beating. Your doctor can calculate your risk for cardiovascular disease based on several risk factors, including your cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking habits.

Advertisement

alcoHol according to the centers for Disease control and Prevention (cDc)trusted Source, men face higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women do. Men binge drink twice as much as women. they are also prone to increased aggression and sexual assault against women. alcohol consumption increases your risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon. alcohol also interferes with testicular function and hormone production. this can result in impotence and infertility. according to the cDc trusted Source, men are more likely than women to commit suicide. they also are more likely to have been drinking prior to doing so.

reSPiratory DiSeaSeS Many respiratory diseases start with an innocent “smoker’s cough.” Over time, that cough can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as lung cancer, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). All of these conditions interfere with your ability to breathe. According to the American Lung Association, each year more men are diagnosed with and develop lung cancer than in years past. While exposure to occupational hazards like asbestos increases your risk, smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer. If you have smoked for more than 30 years, a low-dose CT scan maybe prudent to screen for lung cancer.

DePreSSion anD SUiciDe More than 300 million people worldwide are suffering from depression. Depression and bad mental health have been ignored as a serious issue since ages. But, do you know, depression can also lead to death if it gets worse? a study reported in WHo, conducted for the ncMH (national care of Medical Health), states that at least 6.5 per cent of the indian population suffers from some form of the serious mental disorder, with no discernible rural-urban differences. the average suicide rate in india is 10.9 for every lakh people and the majority of people who commit suicide are below 44 years of age.

Unintentional injUrieS anD acciDentS The CDC Trusted Source lists unintentional injury as a leading cause of death for men in 2006. This includes drowning, traumatic brain injuries, and fireworks-related mishaps. Motor vehicle death rates for male drivers and passengers ages 15 to 19 were almost twice that of females in 2006. In India, more than 150,000 people are killed each year in traffic accidents. That's about 400 fatalities a day and far higher than developed auto markets like the US, which in 2016 logged about 40,000. Remember, safety first.

liver DiSeaSe Your liver is the size of a football. It helps you digest food and absorb nutrients. It also rids your body of toxic substances. • Around 10 lakh patients of liver cirrhosis are newly diagnosed every year in India. • Liver disease is the tenth most common cause of death in India as per the World Health Organization. • Liver disease may affect every one in 5 Indians. • Liver Cirrhosis is the 14th leading cause of deaths in the world and could be the 12th leading cause of deaths in the world by 2020. • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or a cancer in the liver, is the second most common cause of death due to malignancy in the world. Liver disease includes conditions such as: • cirrhosis • viral hepatitis • autoimmune or genetic liver diseases • bile duct cancer • liver cancer • alcoholic liver disease According to the American Cancer Society, alcohol and tobacco use increases your chance of developing liver disease.

DiaBeteS If left untreated, diabetes can lead to nerve and kidney damage, heart disease and stroke, and even vision problems or blindness. Men with diabetes face a risk of lower testosterone levels and sexual impotence. This can lead to increased depression or anxiety. Diabetes currently affects more than 62 million Indians, which is more than 7.1% of the adult population. The average age on onset is 42.5 years. According to the Indian Heart Association, India is projected to be home to 109 million individuals with diabetes by 2035. Kerala has the largest number of diabetes patients followed by Tamil Nadu and Punjab, according to endocrinologists and diabetologists in the state. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer a stroke. Each year 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness in people 20 to 74 years of age. Statistically diabetes results in lower life expectancy than people without diabetes. However, it is not all doom and gloom and there are steps you can take which can help to increase your likelihood of living longer. People with type 1 diabetes, on average, have shorter life expectancy by about 20 years. No cure for diabetes currently exists, but the disease can go into remission. ... Complete remission: When the blood glucose level returns to normal levels completely outside of the range of diabetes or prediabetes and stays there for at least 1 year without any medications.

A painless lump or swelling in a testicle Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum A dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin Any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels

A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum

ProStrate cancer Globally, prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death among men with an estimated 1.1 million new cases (15% of all cancer in men) and 0.3 million cancer deaths (7% of all cancer deaths) in men in 2012. In India, there were 19,095 incidences and 12,231 death cases in 2012. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. Eighty percent of men who reach age 80 have prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that usually begins in the outer part of the prostate. In most men, the cancer grows very slowly. In fact, many men with the disease will never know they had the condition. Early prostate cancer is limited to the prostate gland itself, and most patients with this type of cancer can live for years with no problems. Several treatment options are available for men with prostate cancer. One of the most common treatments for prostate cancer is the complete removal of the prostate (open radical prostatectomy), which can be performed robotically. Another treatment is radiation therapy, which can be either external beam radiation or brachytherapy (involving the insertion of radioactive pellets). Other treatment methods include cryotherapy (freezing) and hormone therapy. teSticUlar cancer Testicular cancer (cancer of the testes) is the most common form of cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 34. Although the cause of testicular cancer is not known, it most commonly affects younger men or those having an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) or other congenital abnormalities of the testicles. Fortunately, testicular cancer has a very high probability of cure when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. Performing monthly testicular self-exams is recommended for all males after reaching puberty. The best time to perform the self-exam is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. To perform the exam, men should examine each testicle separately by rolling it gently between the thumb and fingers. They should look and feel for hard lumps or masses or changes in size, shape, or consistency of the testes. Men should always visit their doctor if they note changes in their testicular self-exam, have doubts about their testicular self-exam, or have any of the symptoms of testicular cancer. BlaDDer cancer There are different types of bladder cancer. The cancer can be transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma -- each named for the types of cells that line the wall of the bladder where the cancer originates.Some symptoms of bladder cancer are also symptoms of other conditions, and should prompt a visit to your physician. Blood in the urine is the most important warning sign. Pain during urination, frequent urination, or difficulty urinating are other symptoms.

SexUal DySfUnction Male sexual dysfunction is a common health problem affecting men of all ages, but is more common with increasing age. Treatment can often help men suffering from sexual dysfunction. types of male sexual dysfunction: • Erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting/keeping an erection) • Premature ejaculation (reaching orgasm too quickly) • Delayed or inhibited ejaculation (reaching orgasm too slowly or not at all) • Low libido (reduced interest in sex) causes: Physical causes of overall sexual dysfunction may be: • Low testosterone levels • Prescription drugs (antidepressants, high blood pressure medicine) • Blood vessel disorders such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure • Stroke or nerve damage from diabetes or surgery • Smoking • Alcoholism and drug abuse Psychological causes might include: • Concern about sexual performance • Marital or relationship problems • Depression, feelings of guilt • Effects of past sexual trauma • Work-related stress and anxiety tyPeS of SexUal DySfUnction: The most common problems men face with sexual dysfunction are troubles with ejaculation, getting and keeping an erection, and reduced sexual desire. ejaculation disorders Problems with ejaculation are: • Premature ejaculation (PE) — ejaculation that occurs before or too soon after penetration • Inhibited or delayed ejaculation — ejaculation does not happen or takes a very long time • Retrograde ejaculation — at orgasm, the ejaculate is forced back into the bladder rather than through the end of the penis The exact cause of premature ejaculation (Pe) is not known. While in many cases PE is due to performance anxiety during sex, other factors may be: • Stress • Temporary depression • History of sexual repression • Low self-confidence • Lack of communication or unresolved conflict with partner Studies suggest that the breakdown of serotonin (a natural chemical that affects mood) may play a role in PE. Certain drugs, including some antidepressants, may affect ejaculation, as can nerve damage to the back or spinal cord. Physical causes for inhibited or delayed ejaculation may include chronic (long-term) health problems, medication side effects, alcohol abuse, or surgeries. The problem can also be caused by psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, stress, or relationship problems. retrograde ejaculation is most common in males with diabetes who suffer from diabetic nerve damage. Problems with the nerves in the bladder and the bladder neck force the ejaculate to flow backward. In other men, retrograde ejaculation may be a side effect of some medications, or happen after an operation on the bladder neck or prostate. erectile DySfUnction (eD) Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and keep an erection for sexual intercourse. ED is quite common, with studies showing that about one half of men over age 40 are affected. Causes of ED include: • Diseases affecting blood flow such as hardening of the arteries • Nerve disorders • Stress, relationship conflicts, depression, and performance anxiety • Injury to the penis • Chronic illness such as diabetes and high blood pressure • Unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, overeating, and lack of exercise • Low libido (reduced sexual desire) Low libido means your desire or interest in sex has decreased. The condition is often linked with low levels of the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone maintains sex drive, sperm production, muscle, hair, and bone. Low testosterone can affect your body and mood. Reduced sexual desire may also be caused by depression, anxiety, or relationship difficulties. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain medications like antidepressants may also contribute to a low libido.

This article is from: