Men’s Health Week observed June 10-16

Men’s Health Week is observed annually from Monday, June 10 to Sunday, June 16. The purpose of the week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

According to men’shealthmonth.org, “On average, men in the United States die nearly six years earlier than women and are at higher risk for many serious diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, and HIV. In addition, men experience unique health problems that don’t affect women, like prostate cancer.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the most common.

Heart disease is a term that includes many specific heart conditions. Other heart conditions include chest pain (known as angina), heart failure, and irregular heartbeats (known as arrhythmias).

Treatments for heart disease depend on the cause and type of heart damage. Occasionally, heart disease can be treated by a lifestyle change, but if that is not the case, then medications may be needed to control heart disease symptoms and to prevent complications.

Some individuals living with heart disease may need a procedure or surgery as well. The type of surgery will depend on the type of disease and the amount of damage that has been done to the heart.

There are various options to live a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life.

Tips for men to maintain a healthy lifestyle:

• Healthy diet: Establish a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit foods and drinks that are high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
• Physical activity: Adults should get at least two and a half hours of physical activity each week. Exercise can help with weight control, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and improve mental health.
• Mental health/stress management: Prolonged stress can lead to physical illness and mental distress. Seeking care for mental health is important for men, but they often face a stigma around asking for help.
• Smoking: Smoking cessation can slow the rate of decline in FEV while improving symptoms and survival.
• Hygiene: Practice good hygiene by washing your hands and avoiding touching your face.
• Regular checkups: Men over the age of 35 should get regular checkups to help find and treat diseases early.
• Underlying health conditions: Don’t ignore any worrying symptoms and talk to a doctor.

Men’s health is an important determinant of the overall quality of life at every age, so be sure to schedule regular checkups with a doctor for the reassurance of health.