Men's Top 5 Health Challenges
Current research shows that men die at a higher rate than women.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, almost twice as many males die of conditions that affect the cardiovascular system
According to the CDC, one in four men has some form of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death.
For men, heart disease begins to manifest itself about 10 years earlier than women. This does not mean men have a free pass against heart disease until they're older. Men have a shorter time to prevent the development of the condition so their overall risk is greater.
Stroke
Stroke is the third leading killer in the country, after heart disease and all forms of cancer. The incidence rate of stroke is 1.25 times greater in men than in women.
In many ways, behaviors that can reduce the risk of stroke mirror those that can reduce risk of heart disease.
Suicide and Depression
Men are four times more likely to commit suicide compared to women, and depression goes underdiagnosed in most men.
Men are more prone to suicide because they're less likely to openly show depression so it can be recognized early enough to find a solution. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 6 million men have depression each year. The number of males with depression could be even greater since men may show signs of depression in a manner different from many women.
Instead of sadness depression may show up in men as Anger, Aggression, Work "burnout", Risk-taking behavior, Midlife crisis, Alcohol and substance abuse.
To help men with depression and to reduce the risk of suicide, we need to recognize that society's model of masculinity -- to ignore pain -- can work against men. Looking the other way may trigger depression and thoughts of suicide.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of both men and women, claiming more lives than prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined. In men, there are expected to be about 213, 380 new cases of lung cancer and some 160,390-lung cancer deaths this year.
The good news is that rate of new lung cancer cases has been dropping since the 1980.
Besides smoking, these are some risk factors for lung cancer:
Exposure to secondhand smoke,
“Toxic home syndrome” caused chemical toxins used in the home.
Exposure to asbestos or radon
Personal history
Air pollution
Tobacco products are responsible for 90% of lung cancer, which puts the weight of prevention efforts on smoking cessation.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. It is the second leading type of cancer death in men.
For many prostate cancer shows no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body.
Risk factors include:
Increasing age
Nationality. The cancer is most common in North America and Northwestern Europe.
High-fat diet. Men who eat a lot of red meat and high-fat dairy products and not enough fruits and vegetables may have a higher risk.
Although older age is a risk factor for prostate cancer, younger men should not be complacent. Thirty percent of prostate cancers occur in men under age 65.
Why don't men take better care of their health?
Healthy Choices reduce the risk of people getting all of these illnesses.
These are all symptoms of unhealthy life style. It is important to know that many illnesses are caused by parasites, chemical toxins, deficiencies, mental and physical stress and lack of exercise.
