How to cope with men’s top 5 health fears
Published:Monday | August 26, 2019 | 12:12 AM
Males generally feel like they are superman until they hit their late 30s. This is when the health issues first started nagging at you. Or when you first heard your friends complain about an achy knee or back. However, as they get older their health concerns may shift.
Men in their 50s are more concerned about heart disease or ED (erectile dysfunction). Men in their 60s worry more about prostate cancer and their risk for dementia. Flair Magazine presents the top 5 health issues in men along with tips for screening and prevention:
1 Weight Management With Age
Most men can remember that at the prime of their life, they were naturally fit and trim with very minimal effort. The metabolism slows down with age and it is now more important than ever to right-size your meals and eat smaller portions of healthier food. Exercise also becomes increasingly critical for maintaining flexibility and mobility. Keeping your waistline trim by eating well and exercising will help you avoid weight-related problems like type 2 diabetes and arthritis.
2 Stroke
It’s important to learn the signs of a warning stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA). They are: weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg(s), confusion, difficulty with speech or comprehension, vision loss, dizziness, or problems with walking, balance or coordination.
If you or someone you know develops any of these problems take them to the doctor immediately. Immediate treatment in the emergency department with clot-busting medication can save lives and prevent disability.
Remember, what’s good for the heart is also good for the brain. Lowering your risk for major cardiovascular events can prevent heart attack and stroke. Being physically active and socially engaged will also lower your risk for dementia. Regular doctor visits and timely screenings will help you maintain your health and vigour through the years.
3 Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels
ED is very common, especially for men who have diabetes or have had their prostate removed. Because men with ED are 1.6 times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke, it’s important for them to discuss their cardiovascular risk factors with their doctor before asking for an ED medication.
Low testosterone levels also affect ED. Discuss them with your physician, and perhaps get a fasting and morning testosterone blood test.
4 Diabetes
If you have prediabetes, studies prove that eating a healthier diet and increasing your activity level can restore your blood sugar to normal and stave off diabetes. Besides controlling your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure, it’s critical to quit smoking to reduce your diabetes risk.
5 Heart disease (including high blood pressure and high cholesterol)
If heart disease runs in your family or if your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are high, your doctor will recommend medications to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Ask your doctor whether a daily aspirin might help, too.Your doctor will keep tabs on your cholesterol and blood pressure, and can order a cardiac stress test if concerns about heart disease arise.