The International Men’s Health Week 2019 has officially been started from today, June 10 to June 16. Since June 2002, the week is observed to understand men’s health problems and also to educate the public about their wellness and to get more men to seek medical attention for her health issues.
The ones who observe the day wear a blue ribbon as a symbol of their support towards men’s health. From prostate cancer to diabetes to osteoporosis to suicides, men are also prone to such diseases. As per the stats, the men ignore their symptoms only going to the doctor half as often as women do.
From impotence to pot bellies, here are some of the symptoms men should never ignore
- Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence
Erectile Dysfunction is often considered as a sexual problem but it’s not just that, it could point to a larger problem that could prove fatal. Erection is caused by increased blood flow to the genitals. Trouble while getting or maintaining an erection, the problem could lay with your circulatory system. Impotence could not point to more serious health conditions such as heart disease, blood pressure or diabetes.
- Difficulty while urinating
Elderly men may face trouble while urinating which they often consider as a symptom of aging but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Difficulty in passing urine could be a symptom of enlarged prostate a walnut-sized gland between the bladder and the penis. When it gets enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra, the tube which carries urine out of the body. An enlarged prostate can also be a sign of urinary tract infection, inflammation of the gland, scarring in the bladder or kidney stones.
- Suspicious moles on the body
Don’t dismiss the fact you have a new mole on your body, get it checked by a dermatologist. The doctor should be visited at the earliest if the existing mole changes color, shape or starts bleeding. It can also be a sign of skin cancer.
- Pain in chest
One should never ignore the pain in the chest, men attribute pressure, pain or congestion in the chest to GERD or gas but radiating chest pains that spread to jaw and hands can be a serious sign of something like a heart attack. Also, it can be a blood clot, pneumonia, angina, asthma or anxiety.
- Belly Fat
A big waistline, bigger than your hips, is a cause for some serious concern. Potbelly is a sign that there’s excessive visceral fat. Central obesity can raise your risk for many diseases, including heart diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. If you are big in the middle, cut down on alcohol, exercise, eat clean and visit a doctor.
- Never ending depression
Being in a bad mood once in a while is not new but being depressed for a long time is a sign that you should seek help or talk to someone about it. Men generally downplay their mental health needs, thinking it is socially unacceptable for them to talk about feelings. Although mental health problems are more common in women, men are more likely to commit suicide due to depression
- Lump on the Testicle
Lump on the testicles is something that shouldn’t be ignored. The doctor should be visited at the earliest. While lumps in the testicles could be something harmless most of the time. Rarely, they could be signs of testicular cancer.
- Bad Breath
Bad breath isn’t always a sign of bad oral hygiene, and popping a mint will not always help. A fruity mouth odor can be a sign of diabetes, kidney or liver dysfunction or gastrointestinal diseases. Periodontal diseases or gum diseases can also culminate in more serious problems.
