With the holiday gorging behind us and the new year right around the corner, a lot of you are likely resolving to be healthier in 2013. If you’re a normal guy then the chances are that at least some of you will have niggling health fears that you’ve been putting off addressing for ages. Why is that normal? Well, because that’s just what men do. However, the wedding might be just the thing to make you take your symptoms seriously – after all, you want to be in peak condition for one of the most important days of your life, don’t you?
Trust me, I’m paid to dress up like a doctor
If you’re worried about any of these conditions, even if it’s just to get it off your mind, go and see your doctor, pick up the phone and book an appointment now. We loves our readers and, frankly, you’re all too valuable to just leave to die, so if one of these is on your mind, dial your doctor now and get it dealt with.
10) Prostate Cancer
OK, we’re not fans of bringing up the C-word, but Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US, with over 32,000 deaths every year. That said, it has a survival rate of around 80% IF it’s caught early enough. It has a low risk in men under 50, but it increases thereafter. Men with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer (that’s son, father or uncle) are at an increased risk, as statistically are West African and Caribbean men.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include a sudden need to pass urine, being unable to pass urine and blood in urine and semen. The cause for this may be the growth pushing against the uretha, or alternatively, you may just be diagnosed with a benign enlargement of the prostate, which can be easily treated.
9) Lung Cancer
The most common cancer amongst men in the US is principally caused by smoking with over 220,000 cases expected in 2010. Symptoms include shortness of breath, excessive coughing, a hoarse voice and fatigue as the early symptoms.
Ways To Reduce Your Risk: Duh, stop smoking.
8) Depression
Mixed anxiety and depression is one of the most common forms of mental disorder in the US, with nearly 10% of the population experiencing a depressive condition at some point through the year. There is still unnecessary stigma amongst men in regards to mental health in particular. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the US amongst males.
Symptoms
Pervasive low mood, lack of control of emotions, pessimistic attitude towards the world, poor sleep, appetite, sex drive and concentration.
Useful Links
Learn More At NIMH
7) Impotence
Ugh, we know how much you love the word. First things first: It happens to more men than you think. Impotence occurs when a man can’t gain or sustain an erection for long enough for sexual intercourse to take place. It affects 1 in 10 men on average and is naturally a wedding night concern.
Symptoms
It’s fair to say this is one symptom that men will almost definitely notice. Impotence, which is much more common in older men, can be caused by either a lack of blood supply to the penis or by the complex link between the psychological and physical aspects of human sexuality. High cholesterol, blood pressure are also related issues, with links to diabetes.
As with any medical issue, but with impotence in particular, seek qualified professional advice (Dr Google doesn’t count) before investing in any remedy or scheme advertised online.
Learn More at NIH
6) Migraines
The cause of migraines, which are not fully scientifically explained are thought to be chemical changes in the blood flow to the brain. They have a variety of individual triggers and are common and treatable.
Symptoms
Migraines aren’t entirely dissimilar to headaches, but are represented with a more noticeably throbbing, pulsing pain and often lead to side effects such as nausea and dizziness. Triggers can range from food and drink to temperatures. Experts suggest noting the environment of your migraine is a useful exercise in avoiding future attacks, such as on your big day or bachelor party.
Learn More At The American Migrane Foundation.
5) Stroke
Strokes generally occur among older men and usually due to a lack of oxygenated blood as part of a clot, or less commonly, internal bleeding. Strokes can cause permanent brain damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms include weakness in limbs, slurred speech and facial impairment. In the case of stroke victims, it is more likely that somebody will spot these symptoms as the sufferer is in a state of arrest. If you suspect a stroke vicitm, you can check for facial weakness, arm weakness and speech issues but call 911 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.
4) Premature Ejaculation
Boy, this is a fun article, huh? Another potential wedding night concern and one of the most common issues (and taboos) in male health, premature ejaculation occurs when a man has an orgasm sooner than he or his partner would want.
Symptoms
We’re sure we don’t need to elaborate on when this is occurring. But it can be avoided. We’ve already published a very useful column on the condition here on Staggered UK, and the links and this piece from AskMen.com offers a variety of different ways to improve your staying power and sex life overall.
3) Weight Gain
Nearly 4 in 10 US adults will be obese within five years, and unsurprisingly so, with so many fattening distractions available to us all, especially in the midst of a decadent wedding.
Symptoms
You have gained weight, durr. Your doctor can help you with a dietary plan, alternatively, there’s an entire weightloss industry available, starting with these handy links below.
2) Baldness
As soon as you’re married, you’re free to embrace baldness as it should be. You’ve a 4 in 7 chance of getting the baldness gene and there’s only so much you can do from creams to herbal remedies to fashioning a wig.
Symptoms
You are notably shiner, if not softer.
Useful Links
1) Heart Issues, Attacks and Palpitations
It’s a complex little machine, the old ticker. And as resilient as it is, it’s pretty necessary to keep us all ticking over. There’s all sorts, major and minor, that can go wrong with your heart, and generally, it can be detected in advance. Once again, we extol the virtues of your doctor – check it out!
Symptoms
Pains, sweating, loss of breath, nausea are the close range red flags of heart issues but heart issues can range from palpitations (a noticeably different or stronger heartbeat) to arrhythmias (weird rhythms in your heart).
Find More Information From The American Heart Association.
Not to labour the point but if any of these health issues are concerning you, don’t just read up about them on the internet, go and see someone who didn’t shirk their way through college and actually knows about stuff i.e. your doctor. You know it makes sense.
