The top men’s health threats include heart disease, cancer and unintentional injury. Most of these threats are preventable through making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, including physical activity in your daily routine, taking adequate injury prevention precautions and managing risky behaviors, such as drinking too much and engaging in casual sex.
The older men, in particular, are at a higher risk for problem such as weight gain, stress related diseases, low testosterone levels, sexual dysfunction, etc.
You can take charge of your health by making healthier lifestyle choices. For example:
1- Find a knowledgeable physician with experience in men’s health issues to address your concerns.
2- Don’t smoke and use other tobacco products. If you do, ask your doctor to help you quit.
3- Eat a healthy diet. Choose from a Mediterranean diet pyramid rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
4- Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess pounds — and keeping them off — can lower your risk of heart disease as well as various types of cancer.
5- Get moving. Include regular exercise in your daily routine. Exercise can help you control your weight and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and can lower your risk of certain types of cancer.
6- Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, drink in moderation. For men younger than 65 up to two drinks a day and for men older than 65 for men age 65 one drink a day.
7- Manage stress. Chronic stress has been associated with many diseases ranging from hypertension to disruption of the immune system.
8- Identify and treat hormonal issues, such as imbalances in testosterone, DHEA, thyroid etc.
9- Identify and treat causes of chronic ailments such as nutritional deficiencies, toxin exposures and autoimmune disorders early.
10- Identify your genetic risk factors, plan and implement a preventive plan.
Perhaps the most important advice is not to avoid seeing a physician when the need arises. Find a physician that hears and understands your concerns and your treatment preferences.