10 Common Health Issues of Men

 

The human body requires regular care for longevity and a better quality of life. Men often ignore health issues due to a variety of reasons: lack of awareness, busy lives, insufficient health education and unhealthy personal and work lifestyles. Early detection and treatment are always good advice for physical and mental health challenges.

This article discusses ten common male health issues men should be aware of, including their risk factors and prevention.

 

10 Common Health Issues in Men

 

1.     Cardiovascular Diseases

 

Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the heart. Often, with heart disease, there can be no warning signs, so they are easy to miss. Lifestyle choices play a vital role in developing cardiovascular diseases.

Lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, preserving a healthy body weight, and exercising daily can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is also vital to keep track of blood glucose and cholesterol levels and keep them under healthy limits.

 

2. Diabetes

 

Diabetes, a metabolic disease, leads to high blood sugar levels. People with diabetes often present with no symptoms or warning signs.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and avoiding Smoking can help lower the risk of diabetes. Getting one’s blood sugar checked regularly for early detection is also essential.

 

3. Prostate Cancer

 

Prostate cancer, a disease of male reproductive system, is a slow-progressing disease in the prostate gland. Prostate problems in men usually appear later in life. Prostate enlargement can also cause urinary problems in men.

Age and family history are the common risk factors for prostate cancer. For a better outcome in prostate cancer, early detection is critical. Hence, doctors recommend regular prostate screenings for men from the age of 55.

 

4. Skin Cancer

 

Exposure to the sun raises the risk of skin cancer. According to the CDC, men are less likely to use sunscreen products and, hence, are at a higher risk of skin cancer.

Changes in the skin are one of the warning signs of skin cancer. An example of such a skin change is the appearance of a new mole. For skin cancer detection, doctors recommend a whole-body skin exam to look for suspicious areas.

With early detection of skin cancer, the chances of making a full recovery are very high.

 

5. Testicular Cancer

 

While prostate cancer is common in older men, testicular cancer affects younger men more. Testicular cancer and its treatment is also a common cause of infertility problems in males.

A warning sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in the testicles. Risk factors of testicular cancer include undescended testes and family history.

Examining the testicles to look for lumps once a month can help detect the condition early.

 

6. Depression

 

Apart from common physical health conditions, mental health conditions like depression are also prevalent in men. Warning signs and symptoms of depression can often be confused or missed. These include chronic sadness, low appetite, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, etc.

Healthcare providers recommend seeking clinical intervention to combat depression effectively.

 

7. Erectile Dysfunction

 

Erectile dysfunction is a male sex problem related to maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse.

Certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and heart disease, can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. Apart from this, lifestyle factors such as tobacco, excess alcohol intake and a sedentary lifestyle can also cause erectile dysfunction.

Prompt medical attention and lifestyle changes are recommended for erectile dysfunction.

 

8. Influenza

 

Influenza is widespread in men with compromised immune systems. The immune system can be weakened by a number of health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes.

Timely vaccination can help prevent frequent occurrences of influenza.

 

9. Liver Diseases

 

The liver is an organ essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and removal of toxic substances from the body. Liver diseases include conditions such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, viral hepatitis and bile duct cancer.

Excessive alcohol and tobacco increase the risk of developing liver diseases.

 

10. Respiratory Diseases

 

Smoking is a prime contributor to respiratory diseases. It raises the risk of lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). These respiratory diseases, when left untreated, can be life-threatening.

Early detection and medical attention are essential to prevent long-term complications. Losing the smoking habit can greatly reduce the risk of respiratory diseases.

Certain health issues common in men can cause long-term complications when ignored and can even be life-threatening. Being aware, proactive, and recognizing early warning signs can go a long way in maintaining a healthy, well-functioning body.

 

 

Ear infection (middle ear)

 Overview

An ear infection, also known as acute otitis media, is an infection of the air-filled space behind the eardrum, known as the middle ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections.

Ear infections often clear up on their own. So treatment might begin with managing pain and watching the issue. Sometimes, healthcare professionals prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

Some people have repeated ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications.

 

Ear infection

 

In an ear infection, narrow tubes that run from the middle ear to high in the back of the throat, also known as eustachian tubes, can become swollen and blocked. This can lead to mucus buildup in the middle ear. This mucus can become infected and cause ear infection symptoms.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of ear infection often come on fast.

Children

Ear infection symptoms common in children include:

·         Ear pain.

·         Tugging at an ear.

·         Trouble sleeping.

·         Crying more than usual.

·         Fussiness.

·         Trouble hearing or replying to sounds.

·         Loss of balance.

·         Fever.

·         Fluid coming from the ear, which can be from a torn ear drum.

·         Headache.

·         Loss of appetite.

Adults

Common symptoms of ear infections in adults include:

·         Ear pain or pressure.

·         Fluid coming from the ear, which can be from a torn ear drum.

·         Trouble hearing.

 

When to see a doctor

Many conditions have symptoms of an ear infection. It's important to get a good diagnosis and prompt treatment. Call your child's healthcare professional for symptoms that are severe or for:

·         Symptoms that last for more than 2 to 3 days.

·         Symptoms in a child younger than 6 months old.

·         Symptoms that are getting worse.

·         An infant or toddler who is sleepless or cranky after a cold or other infection that affected breathing, also known as an upper respiratory infection.

·         Fluid, pus or blood from the ear.

·         Hearing loss.

Causes

A bacterium or virus in the middle ear causes an ear infection. This infection often comes from another illness, such as a cold, flu or allergy. These can cause the inside the nose, throat and ears to be swollen and stuffy.

Middle ear

The middle ear includes three small bones. They are the hammer, called the malleus; anvil, known as incus; and stirrup, known as stapes. The eardrum lies between the middle ear and outer ear. The middle ear connects to the back of the nose and throat by a narrow area called the eustachian tube. The snail-shaped cochlea is part of the inner ear.

Role of eustachian tubes

The eustachian tubes are a pair of narrow tubes that run from each middle ear to high in the back of the throat, behind the nose. The throat end of the tubes open and close to:

·         Keep air pressure even in the middle ear.

·         Bring fresh air to the ear.

·         Drain fluids from the middle ear.

Swollen eustachian tubes can become blocked, causing fluids to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can become infected and cause the symptoms of an ear infection.

In young children, these tubes are narrower and more level than adults' are. As a result, they're harder to drain and more likely to get clogged.

Role of adenoids

Two small pads of tissue high in the back of the nose, also known as adenoids, help fight off infection.

Adenoids are near the opening of the eustachian tubes. Swelling of the adenoids can block the tubes. This can lead to middle ear infection, especially in children.

Related conditions

Conditions of the middle ear that may be related to an ear infection or cause similar middle ear problems include:

·         Otitis media with effusion. This is due to a fluid buildup, known as effusion, in the middle ear. This can happen if fluid stays in the middle ear after an ear infection has gotten better. It might also happen because of some other cause of the eustachian tubes being blocked.

·         Chronic otitis media with effusion. This happens when fluid stays in the middle ear or keeps coming back. Children with this condition are likely to get new ear infections. Hearing can be affected.

·         Chronic suppurative otitis media. This is an ear infection that doesn't go away with the usual treatments. It can lead to a hole in the eardrum.

Risk factors

Risk factors for ear infections include:

·         Age. Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years are more likely to get ear infections. That's due to the size and shape of their eustachian tubes.

·         Group child care. Children cared for in group settings are more likely to get colds and ear infections than are children who stay home. Children in group settings come into contact with more infections, such as the common cold.

·         Bottle feeding. Babies who drink from a bottle tend to have more ear infections than do babies who breastfeed. This is especially true if they're given a bottle while in their cribs.

·         Seasons. Ear infections are most common during the fall and winter. People with allergies during certain seasons might have a greater risk of ear infections when pollen counts are high.

·         Poor air quality. If you’re around tobacco smoke or a lot of air pollution, you have a higher risk of ear infections.

·         Cleft palate. The bones and muscles in the faces of children who have cleft palates can make it harder for the eustachian tube to drain.

Complications

Most ear infections don't cause long-term complications. Ear infections that happen again and again can lead to serious complications:

·         Hearing loss. Mild hearing loss is common with an ear infection. But hearing usually gets better after the infection clears. Ear infections that happen again and again or constant fluid in the middle ear can cause worse hearing loss. If there's lasting damage to the eardrum or other parts of the middle ear, hearing might not get better.

·         Delays in speech or development. Hearing loss in infants and toddlers might cause delays in speaking and developing age-linked skills. This might be true even if hearing loss doesn't last.

·         Spread of infection. Untreated infections or infections that don't respond well to treatment can spread to nearby tissues. Rarely, an ear infection can cause infection of the bony section behind the ear, known as mastoiditis. This infection can harm the bone and cause pus-filled cysts.

Also rarely, serious middle ear infections can spread to other tissues in the head. This can infect the brain or the membranes around the brain, an infection known as meningitis.

·         Tearing of the eardrum. Most eardrum tears heal within 72 hours. In some cases, surgical repair is needed.

Prevention

The following tips may lower the risk of getting ear infections:

·         Prevent colds and other illnesses. Teach children to wash their hands often and well. Tell children not to share cups, forks and spoons. Teach children to cough or sneeze into their elbows.

Children might have less risk of getting ill if they spend less time in group child care. Or the risk of illness might be lower if they're in child care with fewer children. Try to keep sick children home.

·         Avoid secondhand smoke. Make sure that no one smokes in your home. Away from home, stay in places that are smoke-free.

·         Breastfeed. Breast milk might help protect babies from ear infections if they breastfeed for at least six months.

·         Hold bottle-fed babies upright while they feed. Don't prop a bottle in the mouth of a baby who's lying down. Don't put bottles in the crib with a baby.

·         Getting vaccinated. Ask your child's healthcare professional what vaccinations the child needs. Seasonal flu shots and other vaccines might help prevent ear infections.