From Awareness to Action: Tackling the Most Common Diseases Affecting Men
Men tend to avoid regular doctor visits and preventative checkups. This is a critical issue when we consider that men experience shorter lifespans than women. Men also face a higher risk of heart disease, cancer (prostate cancer) and suicide than women. Men's Health Month in June is the ideal time to focus on the most significant health issues facing men.
Heart disease
Heart disease includes various types of heart ailments such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and heart failure. Symptoms in men include chest pain, shortness of breath and general weakness.
The most common risk factors for this disease are hypertension (high blood pressure), elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, and obesity. All these risk factors are avoidable, manageable or treatable but require regular screening to test and monitor.
Prostate and testicular cancer
Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland and can cause symptoms like difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and pelvic discomfort. Testicular cancer primarily affects men aged 15-35, with symptoms such as a lump in the testicle and groin discomfort. Risk factors include age, family history, and race, with early detection improving treatment outcomes.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that alters the body's way of metabolising blood sugar (glucose). Many experience symptoms of, excessive thirst, frequent urination and unintentional weight loss. Diabetes left untreated or treated incorrectly can result in severe and irreversible complications such as heart attack or stroke, kidney disease and blindness. Risk factors to consider are family history, obesity and physical inactivity.
Lung disease
Lung disease includes diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Symptoms include, stubborn cough, breathlessness and chest pain. Risk factors include second-hand smoke, environmental toxins and smoking.
HIV and AIDS
HIV prevalence is higher among older men compared to younger men, but HIV prevalence is still significant among young men.
HIV/AIDS symptoms in men can include flu-like symptoms initially, such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, but can progress to more severe symptoms like persistent diarrhoea, weight loss, and recurring infections as the virus weakens the immune system.
Risk factors include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, and gender-based violence, with younger men particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.
Mental Health (Suicide)
Men are five times more likely to commit suicide than women. This means that mental health issues such as depression should never be ignored. Symptoms of depression include lasting depressed mood, social withdrawal, appetite changes and distorted sleep patterns. Suicide risk factors include mental illness, drug abuse and major stressors in life such as divorce, job loss and a death in the family.
Screening could save your life.
Regardless of the reasons or excuses for not visiting your doctor, the reality is that visiting a medical professional can greatly improve your health outcomes and even save your life. Most diseases are treatable and can be curable if detected and treated early. The best gift you could give yourself is the gift of good health.
Visit the Scheme's website for more information on the benefits available to you.