As men age, they're faced with a heavy burden of health issues. 50 is the average age for men to start showing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis symptoms. It's important to get educated on these seven common health issues to detect them earlier and properly manage them when they appear. The earlier you detect a health issue, the easier it is to treat it properly.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men. It's estimated that approximately one of every three deaths is attributed to heart disease. This is due to a plaque build-up in the arteries, otherwise known as atherosclerosis. When fatty deposits build up in the arteries, this reduces the supply of oxygen to vital organs like the heart and brain. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a portion of the heart is blocked and causes it to die. To prevent heart disease, a healthy lifestyle is vital. You should maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and take regular breaks to exercise. You should also check your cholesterol regularly to adjust your diet and medication accordingly.
2. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is typically diagnosed in middle-aged men between the ages of 40 to 60. It's associated with obesity, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. High blood pressure causes the arteries to become narrow, limiting the amount of blood flowing through them. To prevent high blood pressure, it's vital to limit your intake of salt and sugar, do regular exercise, and manage your stress levels.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis occurs when the body cannot move parts of an area of joints easily or freely. It affects approximately one in five men over 65 years old. Arthritis can take several different forms. Typical forms include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These are specific kinds of arthritis that stem from injuries in the area of the joint. Other forms of arthritis have gout and fibromyalgia. Osteoarthritis most likely affects the knees, hips, fingers, shoulders, and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the muscles, joints, and skin. Gout affects the joints of the foot, toes, and ankle. Fibromyalgia mainly affects the neck, shoulders, and lower back joints. To avoid these types of arthritis, it's essential to exercise regularly and stretch your body- especially when you're older.
4. Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a prevalent issue in approximately 20 million men in the United States alone. It's estimated that 30% of men between 40-70 will encounter erectile dysfunction problems. If you encounter it, make sure to go to the doctor immediately because it's highly treatable. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by several factors like stress, anxiety, depression, and low testosterone levels. Steps to treat erectile dysfunction include:
- Quitting smoking
- Improving your diet
- Consuming nutrients and herbs that support better blood flow
- Exercising regularly
- Getting on a healthy exercise routine
You can also consume supplements or buy trimix injections online. Trimix shots can be a huge help in treating erection problems.
5. Diabetes
Diabetes is more common in men than women primarily because men typically don't go to the doctor for checkups as often as women. Diabetes occurs when there's too much sugar in the blood, a hormone called insulin cannot process it effectively, and sugar cannot enter cells. A few things that can cause diabetes include obesity, lack of exercise, and genetics. Diabetes leads to many health problems, from heart and eye disease to kidney and nerve damage. If you have diabetes, the only way to treat it is by taking medicine, controlling your diet, exercising regularly, and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
6. High Cholesterol Levels
While more women are at risk for developing high cholesterol, men are more affected by it than women. High cholesterol is caused by too much fat and cholesterol in the blood. High fat and cholesterol will block the body's small blood vessels, which can lead to a large amount of plaque build-up. This can cause heart disease, stroke, cancer, kidney disease, and more. The only way to treat high cholesterol is by taking medicine and changing your diet and lifestyle.
7. Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects men far more than it does women. It's estimated that one in every six men will have prostate cancer by the time they're 80 years old. Unlike other forms of cancer, there is still no test that can accurately predict if a man has prostate cancer or not. It manifests slowly and then progresses until it's too advanced to treat. Signs that something might be wrong include difficulty urinating and blood in your urine. These are signs that you should see your doctor ASAP and get tested for prostate cancer. The only way to treat prostate cancer is to remove the affected organ.
Conclusion
Men are at risk for many deadly diseases, but with the right doctor's care and lifestyle habits, you can live a long and healthy life. Men need to see if they have any health concerns going on in their bodies. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor or someone who can help educate you on various men's health issues.