Men’s Health & Wellness
June is Men’s Health Month, and we sat down with Clinician Patrick Aquino Vergel De Dios to talk about men’s health and wellness. Research from the Harvard Medical School and the National Center for Health Statistics shows that men have a higher mortality rate for 8 out of the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S., including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and more. Even though men are more likely to suffer from many of these issues, they are also less likely than women to go to their Primary Care Provider for annual checkups and other health concerns. According to Men’s Health Network, a national non-profit organization, due to these factors, men have a shorter life expectancy than women. We’ll be looking at some of the major issues that impact men’s health and wellness, including Heart Health, Prostate Cancer, Diabetes, and Mental Health.
Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women due to risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and obesity. Men can be at an even higher risk than women to suffer from heart disease because men are more likely to participate in unhealthy behaviors, like smoking and drinking excessively. Excessive alcohol use can lead to a variety of complications for men, including heart disease and cancer. Heart disease is responsible for approximately 1 in every 4 male deaths.
“High cholesterol and high blood pressure can develop without symptoms,” says De Dios. “It’s important for overall health to have annual cholesterol check and blood pressure checkups,” advises De Dios, “which help identify risk factors that could predispose you to developing heart disease and stroke.”
High cholesterol causes plaque to build in the heart, putting you at risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attack. A small blood test is all that’s needed to find your cholesterol levels. Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is often referred to as the “silent killer” due to its lack of symptoms. High blood pressure can develop over years and damage blood vessels, causing your heart to work significantly harder than it should. In the U.S., approximately 1 in 3 adults suffer from hypertension, with only half of those affected having their condition under control. Having your blood pressure checked is part of a routine office visit. As you get older, it becomes more important to check it often. Southwest Orlando Family Medicine was recognized by Million Hearts as one of only 24 practices nationwide for their efforts and success in hypertension control among patients.
Annual check ups and healthy choices can help in monitoring and managing heart disease risks. Small steps like reducing the amount of sodium in meals, increasing physical activity, not smoking, and managing stress can help prevent or reduce hypertension. “Keeping your portions balanced and sticking with a low fat and low sodium diet can help to manage your risk,” De Dios says. “Daily activity, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, biking, jogging, swimming, can also help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.”
Long-term high blood pressure can lead to a variety of health issues, including kidney and heart failure, aneurysm, vision loss, and dementia. Once diagnosed, it’s important to begin and maintain regular treatment and monitoring. “Men tend to ignore symptoms and not schedule testing, which is critical to maintaining heart health” cautions De Dios. “High cholesterol and high blood pressure can be symptomless conditions, regular checkups and testing can help save lives.” Half of men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms, according to research by the American Heart Association. Men are more likely to self-medicate, skip preventive care, and less likely to report symptoms than women, which can be critical in the early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Heart health is important at any age, and men who have a family history of heart disease may be at higher risk as early as their 30s and 40s. The American Heart Association recommends following “About Life’s Simple 7.” A step by step resource guide that helps improve patient education and healthy living. Learn more about the steps, including managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, regular exercise, better eating, and maintaining healthy weight. You can read more about Heart Health by visiting our blog on Heart Disease featuring Clinician Roxanne Raya.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men living in the U.S., as well as the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in every 9 men will test positive for prostate cancer, and 1 in 41 will die from it. Like most cancers, prostate cancer can spread quickly or grow slowly. While prostate cancer is a serious condition, most men diagnosed with it do not die from it. Early diagnosis is key for successful treatment. Some symptoms include trouble urinating, discomfort on the pelvis, bone pain, blood in semen, and erectile dysfunction.
Screening for prostate cancer may vary based on your risk factors, which is why it’s important to talk with your Clinician. “Prostrate screenings can depend on urinary complaints, as well as genetic predisposition based on family history,” says De Dios. “If a first-degree relative has prostate cancer, screenings may begin five years before the relative’s diagnosis was made.”
A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in the blood. Higher levels of PSA can help to identify patients at risk of prostate cancer. There are other conditions that can affect PSA levels, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). “BPH can be treated with medication,” says De Dios. There are a wide variety of treatment options for BPH, including medication, therapy and surgery, according to the CDC. While there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, healthy diet and an active lifestyle can help lower your risk.
Diabetes
More than 30 million Americans (1 in 10) have diabetes, with a quarter of those affected unaware of their condition. 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for approximately 90-95% of cases. In the past 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than tripled in the U.S. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer moderate the blood sugar in your body. High blood sugar can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, loss of vision, and kidney disease. High blood sugar can also damage blood vessels and nerves in the body, resulting in conditions like erectile dysfunction, change in bladder habits, and change in hormones and emotional health.
Prediabetes is also a major health issue, affecting more than 84 million U.S. adults. More men than women have prediabetes, placing them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart disease or stroke. For the more than 1 in 3 American adults who have prediabetes, 90% are unaware of their risk. Understanding prediabetes and making lifestyle changes early can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes may include increased fatigue, thirst, and urination, accompanied by blurred vision, numbness, and unexplained weight loss. However, symptoms might not always be noticeable to the patient, which is why regular checkups and monitoring of risk factors is so important.
“Compliance of medication and follow up can be an issue with men,” De Dios warns. “Staying on top of your treatment is critical to getting the care you need.” Learning how to eat healthy, stay active, and monitor your blood sugar are crucial for patients diagnosed with diabetes. “Positive lifestyle changes can help lower risk for additional complications,” advises De Dios. “Monitoring your blood sugar, participating in regular physical activity, following your treatment guidelines, and diet all play a vital role in diabetes management.”
Mental Health
When it comes to mental health, men are less likely to talk to others about mental health issues and less likely to seek help. Some mental illnesses, like depression or anxiety in men, may look like simple anger or aggressiveness. Approximately 1 in 5 adults experience mental health problems, with 6 million men affected by depression each year. Men are also more likely to turn to substance abuse of drugs and alcohol than to speak to a professional.
“Mental health can affect both young people and adults,” says De Dios. “For men, low testosterone can play a role in feelings of fatigue and depression. Traumatic events can cause men to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially veterans.”
People respond differently to traumatic events, including feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, and loss of sleep. Difficulty sleeping, lack of concentration, stress, sadness, suicidal thoughts constant headaches, digestive issues, mood and appetite changes are some of the symptoms of mental illness. Talking to a professional, understanding the diagnosis, and following treatment play key roles in recovery.
If you or a loved one may be experiencing signs of a mental illness, you can visit Mental Health America and take a free, fast and confidential screening for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol or substance use. You can also get immediate help by visiting the National Institute of Mental Health or by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Conclusion
Annual checkups and early detection and prevention are critical when it comes to your health. Seeing your clinician regularly and being open about your concerns helps your healthcare professional provide personalized care where it matters most. Maintaining a balanced diet and active lifestyle can improve overall physical, emotional, and mental health. Early detection and monitoring can be lifesaving for heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes, and mental health.
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Clinician Contributor:
Patrick Aquino Vergel De Dios, APRN, FNP-C
Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is intended for educational purposes only and not intended to replace your individual medical advice. Please review this information with your clinical team to ensure it is appropriate for your individual medical needs. The information contained is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.