Life is uncertain, and anything can happen. What we can do is take care of ourselves by eating healthy and adapting to a good lifestyle. Some of the risks are given below that every man should know.
- Heart problems
Heart conditions and diseases are the leading cause of death in men. They come in many forms. But all are related to the heart functions.
Congenital heart disease is the most prominent of these conditions. But there are many others, including arrhythmia, coronary artery, and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Other cardiac conditions are myocardial infarction, heart failure, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Mitral regurgitation also qualifies in this category.
Several of these conditions flow through the genes. But some are due to poor lifestyle. And here, drinking and smoking are the real culprits.
Smoking leads to arterial atrophy. This causes the veins to dry up, thus preventing efficient blood flow to the heart and other organs.
Data show that over 40% of men smoke, as opposed to only 9% of women.
Another reason for heart problems is high cholesterol. Eating food that contains high levels of saturated fat clogs the arteries. Besides, sitting down for a long also results in extra weight.
All these factors contribute to obesity and diabetes, further weighing down your heart.
Still, all isn’t lost. You can improve your heart health by tweaking your lifestyle. Unfortunately, you can’t do anything related to problematic genes.
Seeking regular medical checkups, quitting cigarettes, and maintaining an ideal BMI support your heart functions. Still, you can manage stress, and eat healthy meals while also sleeping well.
These are key to better men as per the article “6 Tips For Men That Can Help Keep The Heart Healthy.”
- Unhealthy Prostate
Cancers are a growing menace to men. But prostate cancer continues to be the leading killer of men. So you need to be wary about it.
Why? It’s expensive and complicated to treat. Further, it takes a lot of time. But perhaps the worst effect is its mental and physical turmoil.
This disease takes root due to age and poor lifestyle. But you could also inherit bad genes that propagate its development.
Prostate cancer affects the prostate cells. Malignance begins when infected cells start multiplying.
And once the infected cells start spreading, it affects all the surrounding organs. Thus its effects are far more sweeping. It could affect your bladder, lymph nodes, and other organs.
This makes it hard to treat.
It also brings secondary conditions. It causes urinary incontinence, which makes it difficult to control your urine flow.
Further, prostate cancer could also advance erectile dysfunctions. These have effects on your ability to erect. It also results in reduced sexual desire as well as infertility.
- Stress
Many factors result in stress. Stress triggers are available both in your workplace and at home.
Whether it’s career pressure or challenging family demands, ensure you don’t get burnout.
Take time off work and go for a vacation. Managing stress is vital in suppressing health issues arising from anxiety.
If you fail to manage anxiety, then you are setting your health on a downward spiral. Chronic stress could cause suicidal tendencies.
As a result, many men fall prey to depression, mental health issues, and marital breakdown.
Stress could also cause accidents and compromise workplace safety. So many productive working hours are lost due to worries.
Men are more susceptible to anxiety. This is because they lead a carefree life. Thus they fail to check and address their stress triggers.
This negligence is not proper. Managing stress is vital in suppressing health issues arising from anxiety. But exercise and an active life could help. They ward off stress-induced ailments.
- Lack of Medical Attention
Another behavior that puts most men in unhealthy situations is procrastination. Most men take their time even in addressing critical issues related to their well-being.
Men are likely to skip seeing a physician on any issues. Unlike women, they don’t bother much about medical examinations.
When men fall sick, they assume that all will be well soon. They avoid seeking any medical attention until a simple sickness becomes serious.
Men may know they have chronic conditions. Yet they will continue treating the deteriorating symptoms lightly.
Not seeking medical attention is terrible. As you age, you need to undergo a thorough checkup once every year.
The most common screening that doctors recommend for men is blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
According to Temple Health publication, skin, and prostate cancer screening are also vital since these are the leading ailments afflicting men.
The Temple University Hospital publication advises via their article “What Health Checks Should Men Get?”
This way, doctors can identify telltale signs of minute conditions before they erupt.
Taking medications may also complicate health. Some drugs could cause unwanted side effects.
Many men would notice these harmful effects. But only a few go back to the doctor to seek alternative drugs.
The chances are that more of these men will continue taking harmful treatment. But this makes their situations worse.
- Poor lifestyle
All coronary pulmonary diseases or COPD incidences are linked to smoking. But smoking doesn’t just harm your heart. It also contributes to other medical conditions.
Besides, many adverse effects arise due to unhealthy vices.
Diet is one such lifestyle. When you eat unhealthy foods, they contribute to poor health.
Processed meals and fast foods are not nutritious. Again, spices, artificial sweeteners, and high-carb diets also cause many health complications.
And even when you eat well, you still have to take note of your stress levels. The modern high-paced workplace offers no rest time. But you need to take it easy to overcome anxiety.
Alcohol is a perfect pastime. If you take it in moderation, it can improve your health. Recent research shows that even a glass of wine or two bottles of beer is bad.
If you drink more than twice a week, then you are throwing your health to the dogs. A recent CDC assessment confirms that a quarter of binge drinkers are men.
Binge drinking leads to overindulgence. Further, mixing drinks complicates your mental, neurological, and physical aptitudes.
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- Respiratory diseases
Men are more susceptible to contracting respiratory infections. Many reasons cause these ailments.
The first trigger is a lifestyle and the second is the hostile working environment. Men tend to lead a carefree attitude while going overboard when having fun.
They drink a lot and consume recreational drugs without thinking through on consequences. But consuming too much alcohol and drugs affects their lungs.
Chemicals present in these substances impair the lungs’ ability to efficiently sieve deoxygenated and oxygenated blood. Besides, the deposits arising from these vices overload the respiratory system, resulting in the suppression of its key functions.
Men, therefore, contract various ailments such as lung cancer, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
But these diseases don’t come from reckless lifestyles. A poor working environment could also aggravate this situation. Men working in mines, chemical, and metallurgical industries are exposed to hazardous pollutants that inflict their chests.
These start as minor “smokers’ coughs” and then grow to become life-threatening if not treated urgently.
- Depression
All humans, regardless of age or gender, feel low sometimes. Youths and young adults feel depressed regarding their careers and starting a new family.
Anxiety and tension are good for your health. But when it becomes too intense and chronic, it starts affecting how you relate.
Women also go through this scenario. Only that they are more open to discussing their experiences and seeking assistance on nagging issues.
Men are different. They tend to keep the most stressful factors in their hearts. This further aggravates their mood, resulting in negative thoughts about their feelings and daily responsibility.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 21 million Americans, of which about six million are men, suffer from depression every year. And this figure continues to grow.
The highest age bracket suffering from depression is people aged 18-25 years accounting for 17% of anxiety patients. Similarly, more women (10.5%) than men (6.2%) are affected by this condition, as per the article titled “Prevalence of Major Depressive Episode Amongst Adults.”
Depressive tendencies include sadness, worthlessness, excessive guilt, and avoidance of responsibility. But most men tend to hide their problems.
Besides, psychologists wonder why men avoid seeking counseling to untangle their mental issues. But they already know that men tend to indulge in lifestyles that harm their mental health.
We hope you have enjoyed reading it. “5 Health Risks All Men Should Know.”
What Is The Top Concern For Men Over 40?
The top concern for men over 40 is maintaining good health. As men reach their 40s, they begin to experience a range of physical and mental changes. These changes can be associated with aging, such as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, a decrease in hormone levels, and an increase in stress. Men over 40 are at greater risk of developing a range of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Therefore, maintaining good health should be the top concern for men over 40.
Maintaining good health involves making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels. Eating a healthy diet can help men over 40 maintain a healthy weight, reduce their risk of chronic diseases, and ensure their bodies get the nutrients it needs to function properly. Regular exercise can help men over 40 strengthen their muscles and bones, improve their cardiovascular health, and reduce their risk of chronic diseases. Stress management is also important for men over 40 as it can help them cope with the physical and mental changes associated with aging.
In addition to lifestyle changes, men over 40 should also be proactive about their health. This means visiting their doctor for regular check-ups, getting recommended health screenings, and staying up to date on vaccinations. Regular visits to the doctor can help men over 40 identify and address any health concerns before they become serious. Health screenings can help identify any potential health issues that may be developing. Staying up to date on vaccinations can help men over 40 protect themselves against preventable diseases.
Maintaining good health should be the top concern for men over 40. Making lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress levels can help men over 40 stay healthy as they age. In addition, men over 40 should also be proactive about their health by visiting their doctor for regular check-ups, getting recommended health screenings, and staying up to date on vaccinations. By taking these steps, men over 40 can protect their health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.
