How Men Can Overcome Health Risks
According to the CDC in 2006 the top ten causes of death related to health risk for American men include:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer (prostate and Lung)
- Unintentional injuries
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Suicide/Depression
- Influenza and pneumonia
- Kidney Disease
- Alzheimer's disease
Moreover, did you know?
- Heart disease remains among the top two leading causes of death among each age group of all men ranging from ages 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years of age.
- Use of tobacco smoke contributes greatly to the increased likelihood in lung cancer for men.
- Regular prostate examinations can reveal prostate cancers (aggressive and nonaggressive forms) but risks of treatment should be considered before a choice of treatment is made.
- MHN reports that men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. This statistic reveals a noticeable underdiagnosis of depression in men for various reasons.
- Men increase likelihood of lung related disorders such as pneumonia as they age.
- Weight management through healthy eating and regular physical activity can counteract Type 2 Diabetes (also known as the silent killer).
- The CDC shares that unintentional drownings, fatal occupational injuries, vehicle accidents and traumatic brain injuries averages noticeably higher in men than in women of all age groups.
- Lung, prostate, bladder and colorectal cancer are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men.
- One in five men will die from cardiovascular disease.
Luckily, most of these male health risks are treatable or preventable through simple lifestyle choices. Here are a few tips for overcoming such disease.
Manage your stress.
Adopt stress management skills that can help tame your stress. Try things like mindful meditation, journaling, unwinding after a long day, deep breathing, reading a book, listening to music, walking in nature, etc.
Watch what you eat and drink.
Long-term alcohol consumption increases the chance of cardiovascular disease. So, limit or avoid alcohol. Instead, opt for a diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables which provide your body with proper nutrients to avoid and limit chronic diseases.
Stay active.
Daily moderate activity such as cardiovascular and strength training can decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke and has been found to aid in the battle against depression. Aim to get the recommended 30 minutes a day of activity to maintain your weight and health.
Get rid of tobacco products.
Some people can stop cold turkey and others prefer to taper off. Try smoking-cessation aids such as Nicotine Gum or patches or talk to your doctor about using a prescribed pill such as Chantix to put down the stick today!
Stay on top of your health.
Cardiovascular threats such as strokes and heart attacks can often show little to no recognizable signs or symptoms upon onset. Moreover, cancers often go unnoticed and un-diagnosed for years. Thus, monitoring your health alongside your MD and other trained healthcare professionals can be critical to prevention of further health damages and risks.For additional tips and tricks to manage risk of health related conditions for you or your loved ones check out this helpful resource.We are also here to help! If you’re ready for support or want more information on men's health, drop us an email or give us a call at 877-293-9355 ext. 0!
– Casey Edmonds, CHC
