Aging comes with almost inevitable changes to the body which can affect your health and alter your lifestyle. While these age-related changes affect anyone, there are also sex-specific changes that happen that could be a cause for concern. A lot of men don’t pay much attention to their health as long as they feel strong and healthy but there are serious risks behind certain men’s health issues.
In America, men don’t live as long as women. The average life expectancy for women is more than 80 years while for men is around 75 years. Why men’s life expectancy is lower is still not fully clear to researchers but research suggests that women take care of themselves better which can be a reason for the longevity gap. Surveys have found that men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking and drinking heavily compared to women. It also showed that women are more likely to have a regular healthcare provider whom they see regularly within the course of the year.
What are Health Risks that Affect Men in their Seniors?
Everyone must be made aware of the health risks affecting aging men but what are they? Here are some common issues that may arise as you age:
Cardiovascular Disease
Around one of every three adult males has a form of CVD which makes it one of the most serious men’s health issues. By 2035, over 130 million adults in the USA are predicted to have some form of cardiovascular disease according to the American College of Cardiology. Some factors increase the chances of developing a form of CVD. Here are some of the common ones:
Poor diet
Excess stress
Excess weight
Smoking
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
Lack of physical activity or exercise
Respiratory Disease
Chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and COPD affect 25% of seniors and can negatively affect breathing and mobility. It can also lead to pneumonia and other types of infections.
Prostate Cancer and Other Prostate Problems
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. While it is a serious health issue, this type of cancer grows slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. In the early stages, prostate cancer doesn’t usually show any signs or symptoms but in later and advanced stages, these symptoms might develop:
Erectile Dysfunction
Difficulty Urinating
Blood in Semen
Pelvic Area Discomfort
Bone Pain
Other symptoms don’t indicate prostate cancer but other prostate problems which should be equally seen as a risk and should be checked by your doctor. These symptoms could be the frequent need to urinate, blood in the urine or semen, pain or burning sensation when urinating, painful ejaculation, and frequent feeling of stiffness in the hips, lower back, rectal or pelvic area.
Depression and Anxiety
Mental issues such as depression and anxiety are often misunderstood especially among men due to societal standards and expectations that prevent them from expressing themselves well. Stress and hormonal changes can make the effects of depression worse. It can greatly affect a person’s quality of life through changes in their appetite, quality of sleep, and energy.
Chronic pain, medication, isolation, illness, poor diet, or losing a loved one can cause depression and affect a person’s overall mental health. Contrary to women usually being able to cry and express their emotions, a lot of men often don’t know how to do the same and resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking and smoking which does nothing but worsen their health.
It is not too late nor shameful to ask for help. Reach out to a mental health professional and your loved ones—help is available.
Diabetes
Diabetes begins slowly and shows little to no obvious symptoms as your blood sugar rises to dangerous levels, gaining the name “silent killer”. The excessive amount of glucose in your system will negatively affect everything in your body. It can cause complications in existing conditions.
Men who are obese, have metabolic syndrome, lack physical activity, and eat a high-sugar diet are at high risk of getting type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes can be genetic as well so make sure to check your family’s health history.
These are just a few issues that men can face as they age into their senior years. If you aren’t already, start taking extra care of yourself because your body is changing and can’t function as efficiently as before. Regularly visit your doctor and stick to a healthier lifestyle that can greatly benefit you in the long run.
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Level II FBI background checks of all staff
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