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3 Health Issues Men Should Look Out For

Many men don’t pay attention to their health, avoid doctors and self-diagnose. However, it’s important to monitor the condition of your body and look out for any warning signs of something serious.

Catching an illness or disease early is the best weapon you have in the fight against it. 

3 Health Issues Men Should Look Out For

Here are some health issues men should look out for.

Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits behind the penis and secretes fluid important for ejaculation. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer.

The three main risk factors for getting prostate cancer are having a family history of the condition, being black and getting older as it mainly affects men over 50.

Close to 200,000 men will develop prostate cancer this year in the USA. However, few will die from it if it is detected early. 

Signs to look out for are a need to urinate through the night, needing to pee urgently, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine and blood in the semen. 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a life-long condition in which the body does not produce or absorb insulin correctly.

While anyone can develop the condition, it produces several symptoms unique to men. Men are more likely to get Type 2 diabetes at a lower weight than women as they store fat in their bellies which is a known risk factor. 

One of the symptoms unique to men is erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is when a man cannot sustain and erection or produce on firm enough for sex. It is common in middle-aged and older men.

However, men with diabetes are three times more likely to suffer from this condition. 

Early Symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, weight loss, and tingling in the hands or feet. 

If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor as soon as you can. Getting regular eye examinations can also pick up signs of diabetes and cause deterioration in eyesight.

If you do develop it, your optician can advise you on prescription glasses for men to improve the quality of your sight.

Depression 

Depression affects 9% of men in the USA and the symptoms can look different to those experienced by women. Men are less likely than women to acknowledge or share feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

Depression can change how you think, feel and function in your daily life. It can affect your productivity at work, impact your relationships, sleep, diet and overall enjoyment of life.

Symptoms are more likely to show behavioral symptoms of depression such as excessive alcohol consumption, working excessively, behaving recklessly and having frequent temper outbursts.

Physical symptoms may include headaches, weight loss, insomnia, excessive sleeping, loss of appetite and libido. 

Delayed diagnosis of depression in men can have fatal results – suicide.

It is vital to seek advice if you suspect that you might be depressed. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are feeling low – it doesn’t mean you are emotionally weak or that you are less masculine.