Preventing The Top 10 Threats To Men’s Health

There is an old saying which goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth than a pound of cure.” No matter how healthy a person is, they will need all the help they can get in keeping themselves in a clean bill of health. Keeping yourself informed about the major threats to your health is the best way to prevent the threats to men’s health from hitting you.   Here is a list of the ten leading risks to men’s health and how to prevent them as compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

1. Heart Disease

Leading the list is heart disease. This is quite common among men aged 35 to 65 years old. It represents 28.4 percent of all deaths in the United States. There are several ways you can keep yourself from suffering from heart disease:

• Cut down on smoking and avoid being exposed to second hand smoke.
• Eat a healthy diet containing vegetables, whole grains, fish, and fiber.
• Reduce your intake of food rich in saturated fat and sodium.
• Include exercise and physical activity in your daily routine
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Drink alcohol moderately. Too much alcohol results to an increase in blood pressure.
• If you are a diabetic, check your blood sugar level
• Avoid being stressed

2. Cancer

Cancer is the cause of 24.1 percent of deaths in the U.S. The America Cancer Society reveals that lung cancer is the biggest contributor to cancer deaths with prostate and colorectal ranking second and third, respectively. Here are the ways you can prevent cancer:

• Avoid smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Have regular exercise
• Keep your weight in check
• Add fruits and vegetables in your diet. Stay away from fat-rich food.
• Minimize your exposure to the sun. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors.
• Drink alcohol moderately
• See your doctor for regular cancer screenings
• Keep away from carcinogenic substances such as asbestos, radon, radiation, and air pollution

3. Accidents and Injuries

Not exactly a disease but statistically men are equally as susceptible to injury as with any other disease. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatal accidents in men. According to statistics revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Men are two times more prone to die from car accidents than women. Poisoning, falling, and drowning also contribute to the 5.8 percent mortality rate due to accidents or injuries. Do the following to lessen your chances of adding to the figures of accidents and injuries:

• Always wear your seat belts
• Drive within the speed limit
• Don’t drink while driving
• Stop when you are sleepy. Take a little nap.
• Use chemicals only in ventilated areas
• Place nonslip mats in the bathtub
• Install carbon monoxide detectors near your bedroom in the house

4. Stroke

While stroke can affect both men and women, the life expectancy of the former is much shorter than the latter by 5.4 years. Stroke can be acquired through family history, age, and race. You can keep yourself from dying from stroke by doing the following:

• Avoid smoking
• Follow your treatment suggestions if you are suffering from high cholesterol or blood pressure.
• Reduce intake of saturated fat and cholesterol when eating. Stay away from trans fat completely.
• Keep your weight at a healthy level
• Indulge in physical activity
• Drink alcohol in a moderate fashion

5. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents 5.1 percent of all male deaths. COPD includes lung conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema. To prevent COPD, avoid smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke. Likewise, reduce your exposure to chemicals and air pollution.

6. Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and has an impact on the way our body will use blood sugar. Accounting for 5.1 percent of male deaths, diabetes can also cause heart disease, blindness, and nerve and kidney damage. Prevention of Type 2 diabetes can be ensured by doing the following:

• Shed off excess fats if you are overweight
• Consume a healthy diet composed of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat foods.
• Have regular exercise and physical activity

7. Flu/Influenza

Influenza is a common viral infection that has caused 2.4 percent of all deaths in the male population. While flu can not have serious complications on healthy adults, it can be deadly for people who have weak immune systems or chronic illness. See to it that you have regular shots of fu vaccine either in your workplace or medical facility.

8. Suicide

Man’s tendency to commit suicide and take away their own life is a result of depression in 2.1 percent of men. So if you are feeling depressed, seek the help of a professional. More importantly, you can talk it out to your friend or family to make things much lighter for you. There is only one way to prevent it, be happy and be with happy, always.

9. Kidney Disease

Kidney failure is the cause of death in 1.6 percent of all men in the United States. It is often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure. Here is how to prevent kidney disease:

• Implement a healthy diet program. Reduce the level of salt you take in
• Indulge in physical activity and exercise daily.
• Shed off excess pounds if you are suffering from overweight
• Follow your doctor’s prescriptions

10. Alzheimer’s Disease

There is still no proven method of preventing Alzheimer’s disease but here are some recommendations:

• Love your heart. Having high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high level of cholesterol can all contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Stay away from head injuries. There seems to be a connection between head injury and Alzheimer’s.
• Keep your weight at a healthy level
• Have regular exercise and physical activity
• Stay away from tobacco products
• Drink alcohol moderately
• Strengthen social connections
• Keep your mental faculties active and alert.

Health is wealth as they say so take these threats seriously. Live a healthy life, have regular check-ups, and take the necessary precautions in your daily activities. Bear this in mind and you can look forward to a happy and healthy life.

After writing this, while I was doing an usual after-publication-edit, I started thinking about things I am doing to prevent these. Lets first eliminate from the top 10 which are unlikely to occur. I think I’ll never commit suicide. Even if I want hard if accident has to happen it’ll happen. I can’t do much apart from not driving under influence and not texting while driving. I can’t prevent another drunk driver hitting my car.

That leaves me with 8 threats to ponder about. I routinely go though the yearly medical check-up. As per last 4 checkups, BMI is under control, blood sugar has a steep way to climb before I’d have diabetes, my good and bad cholesterol levels are also within permissible limit, lowering chances of a stroke.

What I am particularly worried about are two remaining diseases, cancer and Alzheimer’s. Cancer is not chronic so, I am not worried that my grand father died of cancer bu,t I smoke and I do very little exercise apart from few stretches in my cubicle and some walking in the evening. And, I do have a little nerve problem with shaky hands.

The best thing I can do now is to stop smoking altogether, increase physical activity and try to stay happy. Readers, what are you doing to stay healthy and sound?