Men's Health
The average man pays less attention to his health than the average woman. Compared to women, men are more likely to
- drink alcohol and use tobacco
- make risky choices
- not see a doctor for regular checkups
Men are assailed by the diseases that can affect anyone—heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, depression… But they also have unique issues such as prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargement.
Many of the major health risks that men face can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, stress reduction, and alcohol consumption in the moderate range (no more than two drinks a day) if at all. Regular checkups and screening tests can spot disease early, when it is easiest to treat.
So don't be an average man — get on board with protecting your health today.
Men's Health Articles
A Harvard-led study published Feb. 19, 2019, in JAMA found that among men with low-risk prostate cancer, use of active surveillance jumped from 15% in 2010 to 42% in 2015. Use of surgery and radiation to treat the disease fell significantly.
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Certain blood pressure medications may cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and a low sex drive. If the problem persists, a man should speak with his doctor about changing medications, lowering dosages, or exploring other possible health reasons.
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By age 60, about half of all men will have an enlarged prostate. While the condition does not increase the risk of getting prostate cancer or having sexual problems, it can affect quality of life, specifically with annoying and embarrassing urination problems. Certain medications can help relieve symptoms, which means less urinary urgency and fewer nighttime awakenings to use the bathroom.
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Men who develop swollen, tender breasts may have a condition called gynecomastia. While it can be embarrassing, it rarely has a serious cause. However, in adults, the condition warrants a medical evaluation to look for possible health issues and drug side effects. Weight loss may help if breast enlargement is due to excess fat.
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Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, hiking, or dancing, is the best way to strengthen bones as a man ages. Resistance training using free weights, resistance bands, or gym machines can stimulate bones in the wrists, arms, and lower body.
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About 90% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have the localized kind confined to the prostate gland. For many, a reasonable approach is active surveillance, in which men choose to have careful monitoring of their cancer instead of having surgery or radiation therapy. This is also an opportunity for men to keep their cancer from becoming more aggressive by changing their diet and exercise habits.
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Most men are familiar with the common factors related to a higher heart disease risk, like cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, poor diet, and inadequate exercise. But there are other signs of risk men may not recognize, such as erectile dysfunction, abdominal fat, gum disease, and depression. The good news is that once these issues are recognized, they can be addressed and managed.
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A recent survey found that even though many older adults enjoy an active sex life, few talk about their sexual health with their doctor or other health care provider. It’s important to have an open line of communication because in general, sexuality changes over time, and many older men encounter problems that can interfere with performance, such as erectile dysfunction or problems with arousal, energy, and stamina.
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Prostate cancer that occurs after age 60 probably does not increase the risk of getting a different kind of cancer. However, some men might have a genetic risk for a more aggressive type of prostate cancer, which could increase their risk of other cancers.
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Although urinary tract infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. They can protect against recurring infections by drinking plenty of water, using the bathroom when they need rather than trying to hold it, and practicing safe sex.
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