A lack of awareness, poor health education, unhealthy personal and work lifestyles have caused a steady deterioration of the well-being of American men.
But if you take an active role in your health and are aware of potential health risks, you can advocate for yourself at the doctor and get the care you need.
(Check out our article 4 Tips For Men’s Health Month)
In the article below, we will discuss five common men’s health problems and the steps you can take to prevent them.
1. Heart Disease
According to the American Heart Association, 1/3 of men have a cardiovascular disease of some type.
Men under the age of 45 tend to have higher rates of high blood pressure than women, and the male health gap evens out as they age.
You can take control of your heart health and mitigate some risk factors by sleeping seven to nine hours a night.
You should also take standing breaks intermittently when sitting for long periods.
It’s essential to know your family history as well.
If other men in your family have had heart disease, your risk of heart disease is much higher.
Staying away from cigarettes is also vital.
2. COPD And Respiratory Diseases
Many respiratory diseases can begin with an innocent “smoker’s cough.”
But with time, that cough can develop into life-threatening conditions like lung cancer, emphysema, or COPD.
All of these conditions hinder your ability to breathe.
According to the American Lung Association, more men are diagnosed with and develop lung cancer than in previous years.
African-American men are more likely to die from the disease than other ethnic or racial groups.
Being exposed to hazardous materials like asbestos can increases your risk, however, smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer.
If you’ve smoked for over 30 years, a low-dose CT scan may be prudent to screen for lung cancer.

3. Suicide and Depression
Men are more likely to commit suicide than women.
That is mainly due to underdiagnosed depression in men.
Men are prone to suicide because they’re less likely to show depression openly.
Men are also less likely to have someone else recognize the risk factors of depression early enough to treat it or acknowledge it themselves.
More than 6 million men are diagnosed with depression each year.
However, the number of males with depression could be even more significant since men may show signs of depression differently than women.
Instead of sadness, depression may play out in the following ways in men:
- Anger
- Aggression
- Burnout
- Risk-taking behavior
- Midlife crisis
- Alcohol and substance abuse
Society and men see the male symptoms of depression as ‘just being a guy’ or ‘having a hard time.’
But if they are signs of depression and bad enough, many men start to think that life isn’t worth living.
To help men with depression and reduce the risk of suicide, we need to recognize that society’s model of masculinity, which is to ignore pain and emotion, can work against men.
Looking the other way may trigger depression and thoughts of suicide.
If you’ve experienced these symptoms, or are dealing with depression, contact a mental health care professional as soon as possible.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the health conditions that seem to sneak up on you.
It’s been estimated that 1 in 3 boys born in 2000 would develop diabetes later in life due to high blood sugar.
Men are more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes than women.
Some men don’t even know they have it.
Around 30% of all people with diabetes haven’t been diagnosed.
Men can reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by:
- Exercising
- Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits
- Eating minimally processed foods
- Not smoking
- Cutting down on alcohol
The American Diabetes Association recommends getting regular diabetes screenings at age 45.
5. Alcohol Abuse
According to the CDC, men face higher rates of alcoholism-related deaths and hospitalization than women.
Men binge drink more than women and are prone to increased aggression and sexual assault against women.
It’s estimated that nearly 10 million men in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol consumption can increase your chance for mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon cancer, and countless other health issues.
It also may interfere with testicular function and hormone production, causing impotence and infertility.
Men are also more likely to have been drinking before committing suicide.
If you drink, monitor your alcohol intake to ensure you aren’t developing chronic conditions due to high alcohol consumption.
BONUS: Erectile Dysfunction
If you are having issues achieving or maintaining an erection suitable for healthy sex life, you might be experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED).
You may also experience a drop in your sexual desire.
If this happens occasionally, it’s not an issue.
But if achieving an erection becomes an ongoing issue, you likely have ED.
Erectile dysfunction can affect a man’s self-confidence and negatively influence his relationship with his partner.
An existing physical problem often causes ED.
Sexual arousal involves your brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels working well together and separately.
Possible causes of impotence include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Low levels of testosterone
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Cancer treatment
Don’t feel anxious or embarrassed while discussing this issue with their doctor if it becomes an ongoing problem.
ED is a common issue, and there are treatment options available.
Contact Choice Men’s Health, The Best Men’s Health Clinic In Atlanta
Fortunately, men have more power over their health than they may realize.
You can avoid many common conditions if you’re a little proactive about your healthcare.
And you don’t have to take on prevention alone.
Choice Men’s Health has been advocating for men’s health for years. We’re here to help.
At Choice Men’s Health, we specialize in treating Erectile Dysfunction, and we understand the frustration that comes from dealing with ED.
The effects of ED often aren’t contained to just the bedroom.
Many men feel ashamed of the inability to engage in sexual intercourse and don’t want to talk about it.
This then can affect the rest of your life.
And, ED is typically a symptom of an underlying health issue, so it’s essential to get it taken care of immediately.
Our customized treatment plans have helped thousands of men improve their sex life.
Call (404) 400-3717 or fill out a form here for your appointment with the Best Men’s Health Clinic in Atlanta!
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