There are a range of health problems that affect men more than women, either for biological reasons or social.
As you get older, you might notice that these issues become more prevalent, which means that you need to be aware of them.
Keep reading and we’ll outline some common male health problems that can arise at any time, but particularly as you get older.
Depression And Suicide
Mental health is one of the most important parts of any man’s health, especially due to the impact that it can have. Within the US alone, up to nine percent of men have daily feelings of depression or anxiety, with these feelings causing a range of health issues.
Sadly, the suicide rate amongst American men is almost four times higher than those of women, due to social factors and stigma regarding mental health. This is because a large percentage of men will experience some form of depression at some point in their life, without knowing what to do about it.
Retirees might find that they struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, particularly as other men their age start to die and they find they lose their lifelong friends.
If in doubt, one of the most effective ways to help manage this is by speaking to a therapist or a counselor. It may also benefit you to speak to those you care about in your life, such as family or friends, about what you’ve been going through, to help make it seem more real and not bottle it all up.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the body with the way it processes sugar, which effectively means that blood sugar levels can become too high. They affect both men and women, but men are 40% more likely to die of the disease prematurely.
There are two main types of diabetes, known as type 1 and type 2. Type 1 occurs when your body can’t produce any insulin, which is the hormone that controls the levels of sugar within the body to go into the cells. These types of diabetics can have no dieting reasons for having the disease, but diet is a big part of it in general.
Type 2 diabetes will be the one majorly affected by weight and diet. This will be because they still produce insulin, just that it doesn’t work. These symptoms can be controlled by changing your lifestyle, so it’s worth speaking to a doctor. There are potentially millions of people out there who simply aren’t aware that they have diabetes of type 2, but a doctor can help to diagnose.
Prostate Cancer
In the US, around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime. It is much more common in older men, with 6 in 10 cases for those aged 65 or older. Whilst true it is rare in men under 40, it is not impossible.
If you’re unsure, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits underneath your bladder, which helps to produce semen. This gland will grow throughout your life, as you get older. That’s partly why the risk increases. In general, the risk is higher for black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. For example, a man who has a family member with the disease is 2.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than a man without this history.
This is why it’s important to be aware of your family history, as it could save your life. You can do this by speaking to family members, or by using medical service businesses that will have all the important information that you need to be aware of.
There will be signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, especially at an early stage, that you can catch to increase your recovery chances. Late diagnosis can make it more difficult to treat, so you should watch out for any drastic changes with your urination. For example, this could be you having a weak flow in general, or noticing blood in the urine. If you struggle to fully empty your bladder, or experience an increase in the sudden need to urinate, then it could be a sign to see your doctor.
With prostate cancer, there are four main stages. They will range from stage one, known as the early stage, to stage four, known as advanced prostate cancer. Doctors will use this type of measurement to best categorize them and understand the options available to them. You can use Ezra’s guide to the stages of prostate cancer, to get a better understanding of yourself, and get medical advice on what you need to do.
Back Pain
With back pain being one of the biggest causes of disability in the UK, it’s an issue that could affect a big percentage of men. At some point in life, around 8 in ten people will suffer from back pain. The most common of which is lower back pain, but the issue can go up to anywhere along the spine.
You must look after your back to best avoid any associated pain. You can strengthen these muscles by utilizing a variety of daily back exercises, or general lower impact activities such as yoga or swimming. These are great ways to feel fit in general, and make your back more flexible.
If you are someone who sits at a desk all day, then you will need to set up your workspace to best reduce the risk of back straining. This could be to do with the chair you sit in, being more ergonomic, as well as ensuring everything is in an easy-to-reach place. You should also be doing regular stretching every hour, to help your muscles. If you lift heavy objects all day, then you should be lifting from the knees.
Addiction
Forms of addiction can come in many different forms. The most common of which is drugs and alcohol. Statistically speaking, men are more likely to become addicted for several social reasons, as well as due to history.
Addiction refers to the condition that you compulsively feel like you need a substance, even if it damages your health or creates behavior that can cause harm. The most infamous addictions come in the form of gambling, alcohol, nicotine, and drugs. If you feel like you have these strong desires, then you will need to speak to a doctor.
If you have attempted to stop, then you may be going through something known as withdrawal. This can create health problems due to your body’s fixation on the substance, which makes your body react through sweating and brain compulsions to seek the substance.
Heart Disease
One of the leading causes of death for men comes in the form of heart disease. There is a range of risk factors for men in this category, including smoking, high levels of cholesterol or blood pressure, general obesity, and having diabetes.
There are warning signs you can look out for, including chest pain, nausea, or pain in the arm, jaw, or back. If you are constantly feeling tired or sweaty, then this could also be a sign. There are ways you can manage heart disease to best prevent it early. Some of the most effective ways include quitting bad habits such as smoking and alcohol, or at least cutting down on them.
You can also help boost your heart by looking at what you are eating. This will include engaging with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whilst also being low in saturated fat and salt.