Men’s Health Month

By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire

 

This month, we are looking exclusively at men’s health issues as June is Men’s Health Month. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

So what are the biggest health risks for men? Here we take a look at six of the top diseases and health risks that could cause serious health issues for men.

Heart Health

• Heart disease comes in many forms, all of which can lead to serious, fatal complications if left undetected, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. The American Heart Association indicates more than one in three adult men has some form of cardiovascular disease and black men account for 100,000 more cardiovascular disease mortality cases than white men. Stroke targets an estimated 2.8 million men and high blood pressure is common in younger males. Preventing heart disease can be as easy as not smoking or quitting if you do, exercising for 30 minutes a day and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Omega-3 supplements are excellent for heart health.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Other Respiratory Diseases

• Many respiratory diseases start with an innocent “smoker’s cough.” But over time, that cough can indicate life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer, emphysema, or COPD, all of which interfere with normal breathing. According to the American Lung Association, each year, more men are diagnosed with and develop lung cancer than in years past. We carry over the counter nicotine patches and gum which can be used as part of a smoke cessation programme. The best way to prevent these diseases is to stop smoking and limiting your exposure to second hand smoke.

Alcohol

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men face higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations than women do. Men binge drink twice as much as women. Alcohol consumption increases risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and colon. Alcohol also interferes with testicular function and hormone production, resulting in impotence and infertility. It’s fine to have a few drinks, but remember to drink in moderation.

Unintentional Injuries and Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed unintentional injury as a leading cause of death for men. This includes drowning, traumatic brain injuries and road traffic collisions. Men tend to think they can do anything but remember, you are not Superman. Be careful!

Liver Disease

• Your liver is the size of an American football. Its functions include digesting food, absorbing nutrients and ridding the body of toxic substances. Liver disease includes conditions such as cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, autoimmune or genetic liver diseases, bile duct or liver cancer and even alcoholic liver disease. According to a study posted by the American Cancer Society, alcohol and tobacco use increase your chance of developing liver disease, so it’s best to limit alcohol intake and stop smoking. For liver disease, milk thistle is a good supplement to take and men should curb their use of acetaminophen (Tylenol), because it can cause liver damage.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a serious disease and if left untreated, diabetes can lead to nerve and kidney damage, heart disease and stroke and even vision problems or blindness. Men with diabetes face greater risk for sexual impotence and lower testosterone levels, which can lead to increased depression or anxiety. Increasing your physical activity and eating healthier can make a huge difference in caring for diabetes. In addition, regular professional care is crucial for keeping your diabetes management on track.

In addition to keeping an eye out for these health concerns, taking a regular multivitamin is an important part of being healthy as many men aren’t able to meet their daily nutritional requirements from their diets alone. Some of the men’s multivitamins like One-A-Day Men’s and Centrum Men’s formulas are great options.

Living a healthy lifestyle can lead to a more fulfilling life. By taking a few preventative measures and having regular health checks, you can keep your health on track!

Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.