To live longer, live healthier
Even if you already feel healthy, a little planning can help you stay that way. The top threats to men’s health aren’t secrets: they’re known, common, and often preventable. The good news is that making a few lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk of these common problems.
It’s important to be aware of possible dangers to your health and to make changes in your life. Remind yourself of these top threats to men and how to avoid them.
Cardiovascular disease: the leading men’s health threat
One in four men have some form of heart disease. It’s the leading cause of death in the United States. Risk factors depend on your age, gender, race, and sometimes family history. You may not be able to change those factors, but you can reduce your risk by:
- Managing your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
- Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
- Not smoking and limiting alcohol use
- Managing stress
Lung cancer: still a health threat
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. It’s good to know what symptoms to look for so you know when to see your health care provider. If you’re concerned about lung cancer, be on the lookout for these signs:
- A cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time or has blood in it
- Constant chest pain or shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
- Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
- Swelling of the neck and face
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Fatigue
The earlier cancer is found, the better your chances of beating it. But, the best way to prevent lung cancer is to stop smoking. Talk with your doctor and learn about more ways to quit smoking today.
Prostate cancer: one in nine men will be diagnosed during their lifetime
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men. It usually grows slowly and occurs in men over the age of 65 years old. If you notice the following symptoms, talk to your health care provider right away.
- Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping
- Lower back pain
- Pain with ejaculation
There is no way to know for sure if you will get prostate cancer. The older a man is, the higher his risk of getting prostate cancer. Talk with your health care provider to take the next steps in identifying prostate cancer earlier. There are certain lifestyle changes you can make now to help yourself live a healthier and hopefully cancer-free life.
Depression and suicide: easy to overlook
Depression is not a personal weakness or character flaw. Most experts believe depression can be the result of family history, early life experiences, stressful events, or a combination of these factors. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe and include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Losing interest in or not getting pleasure from most of your daily activities
- Gaining or losing weight
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Feeling tired or have little energy
- Eating more or less than usual almost every day
The signs and symptoms of depression may be hard to notice at first, so it’s important to be aware of your thoughts, moods, and behaviors. The good news is that even the most severe cases of depression are treatable.
Diabetes: the silent health threat
Anyone can get diabetes, but it’s more common among people over 40, if you’re overweight, or lack physical activity. Other risk factors for diabetes include:
- Family history
- Certain races, such as African American or Native American
- If you take certain medicines
You can’t change certain risk factors, but you can make changes to help prevent diabetes. If you’re worried about diabetes, explore ways to:
- Maintain a healthy weight and eat nutritious, low-calorie foods
- Stay active and try to reduce stress levels
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor
As you make changes, monitor vitals, and do a food and activity journal to keep track. Using these tools, along with making a few changes, can help you live a long and healthy life.
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20200127-health-threats-to-men
