June is Men’s Health Awareness month, which aims to “heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.” This campaign is anchored by a Congressional health education program celebrated across the country. While the general life expectancy of men has increased due to more advanced technology and awareness campaigns like this one, the leading causes of male deaths have not changed over the past few decades. For men over 45, the list includes:
But why is heart disease so common? According to the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the prevalence of obesity may be leading to more deaths from heart failure. About half of Americans have at least one of the following risk factors commonly found in people who are obese and who have heart disease:
● High Blood Pressure
● High Cholesterol
● Diabetes
Other lifestyle choices that can lead to heart disease include smoking, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
Know the Signs
It is vital to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart failure, which include shortness of breath during normal activities, weight gain and swelling of the feet, legs or stomach, and general feelings of fatigue. Presently, the best treatment for heart failure is a heart transplant. However, any transplant situation involves severity and a possibly lengthy waiting period. Early diagnosis and treatment through medications, diet and physical activity can improve the quality of life for those with heart disease.
Colon and rectal cancer are tied for the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men. Routine colonoscopies, especially in men over the age of 50, can significantly reduce the advancement of colon or rectal cancer.
While living a healthy lifestyle decreases the risk of cancer, it is not completely preventable. It is up to you to stay proactive in seeking regular medical advice and routine screenings for cancers commonly found in men and in your family history.
Common signs of depression include fatigue, sleeping too little or too much, severe change in appetite, feelings of hopelessness or emptiness, and thoughts of self-harm.
Please know that depression is not a weakness. It is a serious mental illness that consists of biological, psychological and social aspects. If you are suffering from depression, you are not alone. There are resources available to treat depression and help you get back to living your life to the fullest.
Pensacola Wellness Solutions offers multiple services that can ease the effects of aging and improve the quality of life. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) and Medical Marijuana offer unique remedies for the inevitable symptoms of aging.
BHRT helps balance hormones that may be subject to fluctuations due to the aging process. Regulating hormone imbalances help increase function in the brain, heart, bones, muscles and reproductive organs. PRP is an all-natural, anti-aging option used to restore thinning hair, enhance your sex life and reduce urinary incontinence. These treatments will help you live a full, healthy life.
Heart Disease
In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men (and women too). According to the CDC, approximately 24% of annual male deaths are due to heart disease and 5.7 million adults in the U.S. currently live with heart failure.But why is heart disease so common? According to the Journal of American College of Cardiology, the prevalence of obesity may be leading to more deaths from heart failure. About half of Americans have at least one of the following risk factors commonly found in people who are obese and who have heart disease:
● High Blood Pressure
● High Cholesterol
● Diabetes
Other lifestyle choices that can lead to heart disease include smoking, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
Know the Signs
It is vital to recognize the signs and symptoms of heart failure, which include shortness of breath during normal activities, weight gain and swelling of the feet, legs or stomach, and general feelings of fatigue. Presently, the best treatment for heart failure is a heart transplant. However, any transplant situation involves severity and a possibly lengthy waiting period. Early diagnosis and treatment through medications, diet and physical activity can improve the quality of life for those with heart disease.
Cancers
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. It is rare before the age of 40, and most cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms so an early diagnosis is dependent on routine screening tests and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test.Colon and rectal cancer are tied for the second most common cause of cancer deaths among men. Routine colonoscopies, especially in men over the age of 50, can significantly reduce the advancement of colon or rectal cancer.
While living a healthy lifestyle decreases the risk of cancer, it is not completely preventable. It is up to you to stay proactive in seeking regular medical advice and routine screenings for cancers commonly found in men and in your family history.
Depression and Suicide
Although suicide only accounts for approximately 6% of deaths in men over the age of 45, it is still a major issue that needs attention. The leading cause of suicide is depression, which has different signs and symptoms depending on age, gender and ethnicity.Common signs of depression include fatigue, sleeping too little or too much, severe change in appetite, feelings of hopelessness or emptiness, and thoughts of self-harm.
Please know that depression is not a weakness. It is a serious mental illness that consists of biological, psychological and social aspects. If you are suffering from depression, you are not alone. There are resources available to treat depression and help you get back to living your life to the fullest.
How We Can Help
As men age, testosterone levels can decrease – this is known as andropause. Gradual bodily changes may occur separately or simultaneously with other symptoms such as depression, decreased libido, decreased muscle mass, bone loss, and sleep disturbance.Pensacola Wellness Solutions offers multiple services that can ease the effects of aging and improve the quality of life. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) and Medical Marijuana offer unique remedies for the inevitable symptoms of aging.
BHRT helps balance hormones that may be subject to fluctuations due to the aging process. Regulating hormone imbalances help increase function in the brain, heart, bones, muscles and reproductive organs. PRP is an all-natural, anti-aging option used to restore thinning hair, enhance your sex life and reduce urinary incontinence. These treatments will help you live a full, healthy life.
Leave a Comment