15 Health Issues Men Should Be Aware Of

Men are just as susceptible to health problems as women are and as men age, their health problems grow in number. All of the things you never thought you’d have to worry about as a teenager finally become a reality as you grow in age and if you’re not already worrying about some of the health problems you might face as a man, it’s time to start. You’ll find fifteen health issues that men should be aware of below and why you should be concerned. Most of them are things that most of us overlook but shouldn’t. There are other problems other than skin wrinkles and poor eyesight that come with age.

1.Skin Cancer:

Most people go through their life spending about the same amount of time in the sun as their friends. Face it, we all spend time outdoors every day and there’s no easy way to avoid the sun. Some men have more sensitive skin than others and the exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays produced by the sun can accelerate your health towards skin cancer. Always put on sunscreen before you go outside, even to check the mail, and you can help prevent melanoma and other skin related diseases.

2.Liver Damage:

Remember all of those keg parties you went to in college and had a blast at? Your liver probably didn’t have as much fun as you. It’s no secret that our organs deteriorate with age and as far as your liver is concerned, it can only take so much of a beating before giving up. While men are thought to have “stronger” livers, meaning they can take in more alcohol, pushing the limits of your liver is unsafe and should be avoided. Drink in moderation.

3.Toenail Fungus:

Women tend to take better care of their feet and hands than men do and as age progresses, the differences become more apparent. Men suffer from toenail fungus more often than women and it’s because of a lack of care for your feet. Walking around public pools and in public bathrooms without some type of foot protection can lead to infection as well as not having proper circulation for your feet (men’s shoes are notorious for bad circulation). Just throw on your flip flops a little more often and this health issue should disappear.

4.Beer Belly:

That beer belly you got from enjoying too many football games with the boys may be more detrimental to your health than your beach body. Beer bellies are known to lead to things like diabetes and higher blood pressure. Working out and getting rid of your beer gut is a great way to increase your life expectancy and overall health.

5.Male Menopause:

Recent studies have shown that men also suffer from a similar condition to female menopause. Doctors use the term andropause to describe the condition as it isn’t technically the same as menopause. Men lose their testosterone levels over time and can lose their ability to perform sexually or sleep on a regulated schedule. To correct the problem, eating healthy and exercising is the best way to keep your testosterone levels up at a proper level. If problems persist, talking with your doctor is the best option.

6.Depression:

It’s known that women have a higher rate of depression than men, but that’s not to say men don’t get depressed either. Male depression rears its head in a different fashion than through traditional loneliness and sadness. Men tend to get angry and aggressive when feeling depressed. Because the symptoms aren’t the traditional symptoms of depression, many cases of male depression often go undocumented. Staying active and talking to your doctor can help with your perhaps undiagnosed condition.

7.Enlarged Prostate:

Almost half of all men will be diagnosed with an enlarged prostate by the time they’re in their sixties. Enlarged prostates can lead to excessive urination and other health problems. Recent studies have shown that a man’s diet can affect the size of his prostate. Supplements can be taken to shrink the prostate back to its normal size, but consulting a doctor before starting supplements is recommended.

8.Salt Addiction:

In the era of processed foods, salt has made its way into almost everything you eat on a daily basis. The kidneys regulate how much salt stays in the body and if too much is taken in, the kidneys will store the excess salt in the blood stream. Salt in the blood stream can lead to increased blood pressure and increased risk for heart disease. If you stop adding salt to your steak and fries as you get ready for dinner you can reduce your daily salt intake and ultimately increase the quality of your health. Many man eat much more salt than the recommended amount every day.

9.HIV/AIDS:

This particular health risk is primarily geared towards the homosexual community. STDs and HIV in particular run rampant in the gay community and if you’re a sexually active gay male, it’s something you should be worried about. Wearing protection while having sex should be a given, but many men opt to go without it. Wearing condoms helps curb the spread of deadly diseases like AIDS and other STDs. Condoms are given out for free at almost all public health clinics across the United States.

10.New Father Stress:

As men bring children into the world their stress levels increase tenfold. If you’re in such a situation, consider trying these things to reduce your stress levels and increase your mental and physical health. You can try asking your employer for more maternity leave to help your wife get settled at home. If that doesn’t work, try spending more time than you do already with your partner. After a child is born many couples’ sex lives dwindles, so keeping things active (in a safe manner!) can help reduce family tension and stressful relationship problems.

11.Heart Disease:

Heart disease is a leading factor in the death of men in the United States and its prevalence is still on the rise. Reducing the amount of saturated fat you take in as well as the amount of cholesterol you have in your diet will significantly reduce your risk for heart disease. Also, adding rigorous exercise to your daily routine will help burn away unwanted fat and keep blood pressure down.

12.Hair Loss:

Everyone starts to lose their hair as they grow older, but many men experience premature hair loss that could be the result of many factors. Hair loss doesn’t affect your health, but it is a major concern for men over the age of 45. If you’re currently taking any medication, talking to your doctor to see if the medication is the cause of your hair loss is the first step. Doctors may also be able to prescribe medication to you that will help your hair regenerate faster than normal.

13.Male Breasts:

In an unbalance of hormones in the body, some men may develop breasts through a condition called gynecomastia. Taking medications or other illicit drugs may be the source of the problem. Your doctor can wane you off of your medications and in most cases, help remove male breasts in just a few years. As men age, male breasts become more common as health issues like liver failure or kidney problems can also cause gynecomastia.

14.Addiction:

Men always seem to be more prone to addiction as they have higher testosterone levels. These higher levels of testosterone force men to be more competitive than women and when it comes to things like gambling or drinking, men always feel like they have something to prove. There are many programs available to the public that can help with addiction problems and a good friend is always recommended. Addiction leads to family stress and financial hardship that can cause unnecessary worry in a man’s life. If you’re addicted to something, seek help immediately.

15.Circumcision:

If a man is uncircumcised, there are possible health complications that can come as a result of it. Because of the added foreskin, there is a greater risk that dirt can get trapped inside the penis. If the penis goes uncleaned, infections can grow. If you are an uncircumcised man, be sure to clean beneath the foreskin daily to prevent infections and possible penile later in life.