Hey guys, did you know that June is Men’s Health Month? It’s a great time to raise awareness about common health concerns for men and encourage men of all ages to practice and implement healthy lifestyle decisions. Unfortunately, many men are reluctant to see a doctor and rarely think about getting routine screenings for common health issues. Ignoring or putting off common health concerns or issues can put you at risk for conditions that can turn serious, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Check out the top four most common health issues affecting men and why an annual physical exam is not as off-putting as it might seem.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men nationwide. In 2019 alone, over 350,000 men died from heart disease, which is roughly 1 in every 4 male deaths. In men, the risk of heart disease increases significantly as early as age 45. The good news is that by committing to a heart-healthy lifestyle and making these changes early, you can increase your chances of beating this common men’s health problem.
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Putting an end to heart disease begins by knowing your risk. Yours is higher if you:
While there may not be any symptoms of heart disease, the ones that sometimes appear include:
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You need to have a change of heart about how you live if you want to have a longer life. You can reduce your risk of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
Colon, prostate, and testicular cancer are the top three types of cancer affecting men’s reproductive health. Your best chance at catching and curing cancer, or any other disease, is by having an annual physical exam where you can get screened for cancer and other issues. A great option for a comfortable, convenient medical experience is your local vybe urgent care.
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All men are at risk for prostate, colon, and testicular cancers. Your risk rises if you’re older, have a family history of cancer, you’re African American, you smoke, or you have an unhealthy lifestyle. You can discuss men’s reproductive health information during your annual physical exam at a local vybe urgent care.
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These cancers are treatable and beatable if detected early, and you can reduce your risk by:
One in every five men will suffer anxiety and one in eight men will deal with depression during their lives. Depression may go undiagnosed in men because symptoms don’t always align with what they expect. So, what’s the difference between depression and just having a bad day?
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Depression affects how you function and includes feeling sad or hopeless, a lack of energy, change in appetite or sleep, little interest in usual activities, anger, irritability, or isolation. You need to worry about anxiety if you often worry, your heart is racing, you’re short of breath, have feelings of dread, or can’t focus.
Anxiety, on the other hand, may present as shortness of breath, erratic or racing heartbeat, feelings of dread, excessive sweating, or the inability to focus.
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If any of this sounds familiar, it is important to avoid the temptation to downplay such behavior or symptoms and to seek help right away. At your physical exam, feel free to discuss any symptoms you’re experiencing with your provider. They’ll be able to advise on the next steps and help you create a plan moving forward. Evidence-based treatment is available and the sooner you get treatment, the better.
Men have a higher risk than women of developing type 2 diabetes since men tend to store more visceral fat (mostly in their stomach) than women. Visceral fat produces hormones that affect a person’s health. While diabetes impacts both men and women, it can hit guys directly below the belt.
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The top complications from type 2 diabetes in men are erectile dysfunction (ED) and low testosterone. These sexual health issues are more likely to occur when men have elevated blood sugar levels, have high blood pressure or cholesterol, are smokers, or are over age 40. If not properly managed, diabetes can also lead to an overactive bladder and urinary tract infections.
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Whether you’re experiencing these sexual health issues or want to avoid them altogether, an annual physical exam can detect diabetes and may protect you from these complications. To help manage blood sugar, the American Heart Association recommends:
If these lifestyle changes do not help, treatments may include medications and testosterone therapy.
During Men’s Health Month, spread the word about the need for regular men’s health screenings to encourage the men in your life to have an annual physical exam. Your local vybe urgent care makes it easy and affordable—just walk-in or make an appointment online!
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