Avoid these behaviours and you
can decrease your risk for these top threats to men’s health.
Avoiding the Doctor
Avoiding
the doctor is one thing you should not do. Men are notorious for avoiding
doctors' offices and brushing off unusual symptoms or problems. Seeking
appropriate medical attention is not macho; it’s just dangerous. If you notice
an unusual problem or find you are experiencing something that just will not go
away, it’s important to see your doctor. In many cases, it may be no big deal,
but knowing is certainly better than ignoring potential problems. Regular
checkups ensure that you will get the preventive care you need, including
vaccinations and screenings for common men’s health problems, such as hernia,
prostate enlargement, high cholesterol levels, and more.
Modern medicine is often
miraculous, but if you do not comply with your doctor’s instructions for
dealing with a condition, you increase your risk of complications, as well as
up the chances of making the situation worse. Take all medicines your doctor
prescribes, even if you feel better before the entire prescription is gone.
Specific diets may help your body cope naturally with certain conditions.
Sticking with the plan improves your chances of success on your journey toward
wellness.
Smoking greatly increases your
risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke, among other serious ailments.
Studies show that light or occasional smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
have the same effect on your lungs as chain smoking. No amount is safe. Consult
your doctor for help if you are ready to quit. Studies show that smoking
cessation aids, such as nicotine gum, lozenges, or patches, increase your
chances of successfully quitting.
Diets high in fat, sodium, and
sugar can cause diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, cardiovascular
disease, and high blood pressure. If left untreated, all these conditions
can damage and weaken your heart’s muscles, increasing your chances for heart
disease and heart attack. Plus, it’s thought that high blood pressure, heart
disease, and high cholesterol may also increase your risk of developing
Alzheimer’s disease.
Although occasional stress is
unavoidable, persistent or chronic stress can be harmful. It may tax your heart
muscles, increase blood pressure, and elevate levels of the stress hormones
cortisol and epinephrine. Seek constructive ways to manage and relieve stress.
Consider engaging in exercise daily, take a yoga class, or try meditation.
Drinking Heavily Two glasses of wine or two units of distilled
spirits every day might cut your risk of heart disease. Men who are not
alcoholic may benefit from consuming two units of alcohol daily, but more than
that will increase your risk of several health problems. Excess alcohol use is
bad for every single organ in your body and increases your chances of being
involved in accidents.
Limit your sun exposure,
especially if you are not wearing sun-protective clothing or sunscreen.
Unprotected exposure to the sun’s rays increases your risk of skin cancer.
Total sun avoidance has been linked to vitamin D deficiency, however, so
consider supplementing with vitamin D3.
Being overweight is one of the
most common risk factors for many health problems, including heart disease,
cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and kidney disease. Maintaining a healthy
weight is a positive step toward cutting your risks.
Suicide is a leading cause of
death in American men, and depression is a key indicator of suicide. Do not
ignore signs of depression. Talk with your doctor if you are feeling
sluggish or extra tired, if you experience loss of appetite, if you are
irritable or easily agitated, or if you no longer have a sex drive.
