Sadly, the discourse of men’s health is not as emphasized as women’s health issues. This is because oftentimes, these conditions are trivialized. It is also due to the fact that more men are less likely to seek medical aid until the very last minute. Though men and women are at risk of encountering similar ill-health conditions that have to do with reproductive, sexual, cardiovascular, and hormonal issues, men face less life expectancy than women. Therefore, consistent medical checkups and early detection is of utmost importance.
While it is necessary for men of all ages to take care of their health, there are some conditions that men above forty (40) should beware of. These are:
- Prostate Cancer
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Lung Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Depression/Anxiety
Fortunately, most of these conditions have curative measures when detected early. As a result, here are significant test/screenings that men over forty (40) should take periodically:
- Cholesterol Check: this test is to determine how much cholesterol is in your body. A little is alright, but research has it that the higher the cholesterol level, the greater the risk of heart disease. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the advisable duration to get cholesterol level checked is every four to six years. But for those with a family history of heart disease or diabetes, the test should be done more frequently.
- High Blood Pressure: Despite that everyone should have their heart blood pressure checked from time to time, men who drink alcohol excessively, smoke, are overweight, face a lot of stressful conditions with little to no physical activity, are at an increased risk for this condition. It is also more rampant in men along the ages of 64-75. This test should be done annually.
- Prostate Cancer (PSA): Prostate Cancer is one of the most common conditions faced by men above 35, and arguably the most dicey. To ascertain the risk of Prostate Cancer, the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is recommended at least every 3 years. This starter test is done to ascertain how much of the cancer causing protein is in the blood. After the standard PSA, seek your doctor’s advice on the next step.
- Osteoporosis Screening: Osteoporosis is a common type of bone disease. It is characterized by weak bones, or joints. Men who are 50 and over are advised to undergo this screening every two years.
- Eye Exam: research suggests that this should be done every 1 or 2 years for men over 45, and a Retina Exam if you have diabetes.
- Diabetes Screening: this is another common condition whereby the body can not regulate the amount of sugar in the body. The screening is done based off of family history; if you have a history of diabetes, the tests should be undergone more often than the standard 3 years interval.
Subsequently, below are some preventive measure that can be adopted:
- Avoid tobacco intake
- Avoid excessive alcohol intake
- Eat a healthy diet
- Frequent exercise (more cardio)
- Avoid stressful conditions
- Get enough sleep and rest