June is National Men’s Health Awareness month, and is the perfect time to take a look at your health, gentlemen. When was the last time you visited the doctor? If you can’t remember, you aren’t alone. In a survey done by Yahoo Health, 81% of men knew the year, make, and model of their fist car, but just under half knew the last time they went to a doctor. The purpose of Men’s Health Awareness month is to make male health a priority and get men to focus more on their personal health issues. This article will show the main causes of death in men and the solutions to help detect and prevent them before it becomes severe.
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1. Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death in both men and women. Every 30 seconds someone in the US suffers a heart attack and every 60 seconds someone dies from one. Roughly 785,000 Americans will have their first coronary attack and another 470,000 who have already had one will suffer another. For more information on the warning signs of heart attacks and what happens when you have one, visit our article here.
Prevention:
Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all leading factors to cardiovascular disease, so maintaining a healthy weight and workout schedule are crucial to heart health. Eat a diet that is low in saturated fats and high in fibers, along with exercise. If you are a smoker, quitting will drastically lower your risk of heart disease as well.
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2. Cancer
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the leading types of cancer deaths in men are lung cancer and prostate cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading type of cancer deaths of both men and women. Some of the symptoms are shortness of breath, persistent cough, wheezing, couching blood, chest pain, and weight loss.
Prevention:
While lung cancer can affect non-smokers, the vast majority of sufferers are smokers, so the best preventative measure is to quit smoking.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, aside from skin cancer, found in American men. Roughly 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and the average age of diagnosis is 66 years of age. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 40, but you should wait no later than age 50 to speak with your doctor about an examination.
Some of the symptoms include frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or stopping urine, painful ejaculation, painful or burning urination, or blood in urine or semen. If you have any of these or other unusual symptoms like difficulty getting an erection or frequent pain and stiffness in your lower back, hips, and upper thighs, speak with a doctor immediately.
Prevention:
While prostate cancer cannot be fully prevented, early detection and treatment can save lives. It is important to talk with your doctor about getting an exam before the disease progresses to other areas of your body.
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3. Stroke
Every 40 seconds someone in the US has a stroke and every 4 minutes someone dies of one, but do you know what to look for to recognize a stroke? Each year approximately 795,000 people in the United States suffer from a stroke and three out of four of these cases are first time strokes. While the elderly are most at risk, a stroke can affect anyone, especially those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and those who smoke. To learn the signs attributed to strokes and what to do if you believe you or someone else are having a stroke, as well as prevention tips, visit here.
While men tend to overlook symptoms or miss routine appointments, June is the month to focus on your health and the health of friends and family. Be sure to schedule a visit to your primary doctor and alert them of any of these or other odd symptoms you may be having. It is better to find a problem early and treat it than wait until it is too late. If you have any questions about health or life insurance, contact our agents at 724-929-2300 to discuss your needs and get a free quote, tailored to your specific situations.