5 Common Health Issues Men Can Avoid
It’s often been said that men have difficulties raising health concerns to their doctors, or taking their own health seriously, until they are hit with some sort of dangerous ‘wake-up call’. Traditionally seen as providers, it is important that men treat their physical well-being as serious as they do other issues in life. To avoid issues getting out of hand, and possibly get around the doctor’s visit as a whole, let’s take a look at some common male health issues that can be avoided.
Heart Disease. The leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease is a dangerous illness that should never be underestimated. There are several steps that can be taken to lessen the risk of heart disease, such as eating heart-healthy foods and losing weight over all. Smokers have a higher chance of getting heart disease, as do those who have high levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. Taking action to prevent heart disease in these ways is good for your all around health, and can help prevent several other illnesses on this list as well!
Skin Cancer. Many men spend high amounts of time outdoors, working on the lawn, playing sports or other nature activities. This can be a great way to get exercise and improve your health overall, but can also open you up to a vulnerability for skin cancer. It’s recently been announced to be the #1 cancer in men over the age of 50, and some studies point to men’s skin being more sensitive than women’s.
To prevent skin cancer, men should regularly wear sunscreen, spend less time outside when the sun is brightest, say 10am to 4pm, and cover up while outside with hats, tight-knit clothes, and sunglasses.
Sleep Apnea. While the first sign of this dangerous condition often comes when a man’s partner complains of his disruptive snores, that isn’t always just an irritating habit, but a sign of something far more troubling. Sleep apnea can result in stroke, heart disease, and diabetes, and happens when the person (often a man) briefly stops breathing during the night.
Common signs of sleep apnea, in addition to snores, include waking up with a headache or scratchy throat, sleeping restlessly and never getting a good night’s sleep, or waking up multiple times during a night. It can be prevented by losing weight, also through exercise and dietary changes. Even little changes like avoiding sleeping on your side can help! It can also be lessened through an avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, as well as sleep medication.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Generally recognized with the acronym GERD, this common disease causes heartburn and acid reflux from common ‘guy foods’ such as greasy and spicy foods, as well as red meat (steaks) and beers. Besides just being an uncomfortable nuisance, GERD can cause serious esophageal damage. As well as avoiding those particular foods, losing weight is another important way to lessen the effects of GERD, as well as stopping smoking.
For more information on avoiding or treating these five issues for yourself or a loved one, or any health concerns you may be facing, call us at Kress Apothecary at 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information. We pride ourselves on individualized attention to our patients, and you can rest assured that at Kress, you’re family.