Championing men’s good health – while helping to prevent men’s health problems – is not just a man’s issue as it impacts families and our community — wives, moms, daughters, sons, sisters, coworkers and friends. We all need to be valuable resources of good health. Men’s Health Week is celebrated each year during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day. And the purpose of Men’s Health Week is to heighten the awareness for all of us of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
As we step into this special week this year (June 13-19) – there are some facts we all need to understand as we commit to make a healthy difference in the lives of the men and support them in developing healthy self-awareness and meaningful personal relationships. Studies show that culturally women surpass men in asking for help with their health and too, men have been raised in a culture “to endure pain.” Research further shows that many men only seek medical counsel when under duress from a family member or when their condition has deteriorated to a severe state. Add to this these staggering statistics:
• On average, men live approximately 5 years less than women
• According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is 3 times higher among men who are clinically depressed
• Male suicides outnumber female suicides in every age group
• Homicide and suicide are among the top three causes for death among males between the ages of 15 and 34 years
• By the age of 85, women outnumber men in the U.S. 2.2 to 1; this rises to 3 to 1 if they reach their 90s
• According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is 3 times higher among men who are clinically depressed
• Male suicides outnumber female suicides in every age group
• Homicide and suicide are among the top three causes for death among males between the ages of 15 and 34 years
• By the age of 85, women outnumber men in the U.S. 2.2 to 1; this rises to 3 to 1 if they reach their 90s
Men deserve better!! Experts agree that having an awareness of preventable health problems along with early detection and treatment of chronic illnesses are imperative to improving men’s health.
Causes
Male sexual arousal is a complex interplay of hormones, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and the brain.
Issues with any one of these factors can cause erectile dysfunction. In most cases, ED is a combination of psychological and physical factors. Erectile dysfunction can occur as a result of a number of physical and psychological factors, such as:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Low testosterone
- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship problems
In many cases, erectile dysfunction has a physical cause. By conducting a thorough medical examination, we can identify conditions that can lead to ED, such as:
- Vascular disease (arteriosclerosis)
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
- Kidney failure
- Hormone imbalances
- Drugs (prescription and over-the-counter)
- Neurological conditions
- Pelvic trauma (injury, surgery, or radiation)
- Venous leak
A host of psychological issues can contribute to erectile dysfunction. These can include depression, performance anxiety, and stress. Mental health factors are usually secondary to physical causes of ED, so it is important to speak with a doctor if your symptoms persist or become more frequent.
Celebrate National Men’s Health Week, June 13-19, 2016.
Get Good Sleep
Adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Also, poor sleep is responsible for motor vehicle and machinery-related accidents.
Toss out the Tobacco
It’s never too late to quit. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. It improves your health and lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related illnesses.
Also avoid secondhand smoke. Inhaling other people's smoke causes health problems similar to those that smokers have. Babies and kids are still growing, so the poisons in secondhand smoke hurt them more than adults.
Also avoid secondhand smoke. Inhaling other people's smoke causes health problems similar to those that smokers have. Babies and kids are still growing, so the poisons in secondhand smoke hurt them more than adults.
Move More
Adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, and muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms) on two or more days a week. You don't have to do it all at once. Spread your activity out during the week, and break it into smaller amounts of time during the day.
Eat Healthy
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
Tame Stress
Sometimes stress can be good. However, it can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Take care of yourself. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Connect socially. Stay active.
Stay on Top of Your Game
See your doctor or nurse for checkups. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem.
Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, and problems with urination. If you have these or symptoms of any kind, be sure to see your doctor or nurse. Don’t wait!
Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), or any others you may have. If your numbers are high or low, your doctor or nurse can explain what they mean and suggest how you can get them to a healthier range. Be sure to ask him or her what tests you need and how often you need them.
Get vaccinated. Everyone needs immunizations to stay healthy, no matter how old you are. Even if you had vaccines as a child, immunity can fade with time. Vaccine recommendations are based on a variety of factors, including age, overall health, and your medical history.
Whether it is your friend, brother, dad, boyfriend, spouse, or boss, show them you care about them and their health by wearing blue. If Friday of Men’s Health Week doesn’t work for you then pick any other day of the year and start a fun Wear BLUE day at work.
Host a Wear BLUE day to raise awareness and money for education about men’s need to seek regular checkups, or testicular cancer education, prostate cancer education, or other health issues that affect men. (Cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, gout, and more.)
Men live sicker and die younger. Wear BLUE was created by Men’s Health Network to raise awareness about the importance of male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives.
Men’s health awareness can mean many different things.
It means raising awareness of making healthy lifestyle choices, making regular annual visits to the doctor, getting educated on heart disease or diabetes, starting general health conversations with their male friends, and much more. The information, tools, and resources on this website can help you plan an impactful Wear BLUE event where you live, work, play, and pray.
Some other countries /regions may celebrate Men's Health Week and Men's Health Month at other times in the year: For further information http://www.menshealthmonth.org/imhw/imhw.html
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