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Heart attack. Cancer. Depression. Chances are, you know someone in your life who’s been affected by one of these health conditions. Perhaps they’ve even succumbed to the disease as a result.
While women are certainly not immune to these diseases, these diseases have been known to take away the lives of many men. And if you’re a biological man, the sad truth is that you’re at an increased risk of developing them yourself.
But there’s good news: by making some simple lifestyle changes and being aware of your health risks, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing these and other common health problems.
Here are some of the most common male health concerns, along with tips on preventing or treating them.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States—and is a disease that’s more common in men than women.
Heart disease refers to any condition that affects the heart’s ability to function properly. Heart attacks, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure are all examples of diseases that hurt or overburden the heart.
The most common cardiovascular disease, however, is coronary artery disease. This occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked or narrowed, usually due to a buildup of plaque. This can lead to chest pain, high blood pressure, heart attack, and even death.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk.
If you’re a current smoker, quitting is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make for your heart. Eating a healthy diet and consuming less food, in general, can also help improve your body.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, making an effort to get up and move more often can improve your heart health.
The best way to treat it is by talking with a healthcare provider who can give you customized health tips on how to move forward with the disease.
2. Prostate Cancer
According to Cancer.org, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the United States, second only to skin cancer.
Prostate cancer is especially common among older men. According to one study, the probability of men younger than 40 developing this type of cancer is below 0.005%, whereas men in their 60s to 80s have a 13.7% chance of developing prostate cancer.
There are several risk factors for this type of cancer, including age, race, and family history. African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer are at an increased risk. Prostate surgery won’t always be smooth either, with reports claiming that sexual dysfunction cases like ED start to emerge following the procedure.
The good news is that there are screening tests that can help catch prostate cancer early when it’s most treatable.
To prevent or mitigate the risk of developing this form of cancer, consider implementing the following:
- Visit a doctor regularly to get checkups, especially if you’re over the age of 50 or have other risk factors.
- Be sure to get enough exercise.
- Eat a good diet.
- Limit your intake of red meat and processed foods.
3. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men, after prostate cancer. Men are slightly more likely than women to be affected, with a 1 in 15 risk. (Women have a risk of 1 in 17).
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The smoke inhaled from cigarettes contains more than 70 known carcinogens, which damage the cells in your lungs and lead to lung cancer.
The best way to prevent lung cancer is, of course, to never start smoking. If you do smoke, quitting is the best option for your lungs—as well as your physical, mental, and sexual health.
There are also ways to mitigate your risk, even if you’ve been smoking for years.
For example, avoiding secondhand smoke can effectively reduce your exposure to harmful carcinogens. Switching smoking to healthier habits like water breaks is also a good way to slowly wean yourself off of cigarettes.
4. Depression and Suicide
Depression is a common mental health issue that affects millions of people every year. While it’s been found that women are twice more likely to experience a major depressive disorder, men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women.
One potential reason for this is because men don’t seek help as often as women. Men are also more likely to turn to alcohol and other substances to cope with their depression—instead of getting help or talking to someone—which can lead to addiction and other problems.
If you’re experiencing depression, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. Some habits can also help, including:
- Journaling
- Staying active through exercise
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
- Spending time with friends and family
- Taking SSRIs with caution
5. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping an erection. It’s a common problem, affecting up to 30 million men in the United States. But there are likely more unregistered cases out there that slipped by due to the taboo nature of the topic.
As men grow older, ED is at a higher risk of affecting men than in their younger years. In fact, according to one study, around 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience ED at some point. And 10% of the time, it will be severe.
If you’re experiencing ED, there’s no need to feel ashamed. It’s a common problem that can, fortunately, be treated in both a home setting and a clinical setting.
Some common remedies include:
- Acoustic wave therapy
- ED injections and creams
- Counseling
- ED therapy
- Penile implants
- Vacuum pumps
A male sexual health specialist can help you determine the best course of treatment for your case.
Contact a Leading Men’s Clinic to Combat Erectile Dysfunction and Other Male Sexual Health Issues
Men’s health can be difficult to talk about, but it’s important to do so. Men are at risk for several different health issues, some of which can be cured only if spoken about.
By understanding these health issues, you can be better equipped to prevent or treat them. And if you’re experiencing any symptoms, don’t hesitate to see a doctor.
Early detection is key to living a long and healthy life.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), call the team at Proactive Men’s Medical Center in Cincinnati now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with an experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Ohio’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
