Men have a reputation for neglecting their health and putting off seeing a doctor, even when they have symptoms that show all is not right. Thankfully, seeing a health professional doesn’t need to be disconcerting and there are lots of health checks readily available and quick to complete, helping men to stay in good shape. Here are a few of the more important ones that all men should do:
Blood pressure and cholesterol
Did you know that around one fifth of men in the UK die from a cardiovascular disease? This is a leading cause of death for both men and women, but symptoms tend to appear earlier in men. Triggering factors can include high blood pressure and high levels of bad cholesterol. These can increase the chance of having a stroke, an aneurism, a heart attack and narrowing of the arteries. Every guy should have a regular blood pressure and cholesterol check to spot any early signs that something might be wrong. This gives them time to make the changes necessary before problems get serious.
Measuring your BMI
The body mass index tells you whether you are a healthy weight for your height. A BMI that falls outside the normal range for your height and age puts you at a greater risk of problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, particularly if your weight lies around your midsection. Try to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise to help keep you in the healthy BMI range.
Sexual health
Did you know that most STIs don’t have symptoms? You could have one for a long time and not know, greatly increasing your risk of passing it on to others or ending up with long-term health problems. Always practice safe sex and keep an eye out for any subtle changes such as unusual discharge and burning when urinating. Consider getting yourself checked with Chlamydia testing kits Bexley from bexleysexualhealth.org/home_sti_kits.
Depression
Women are two times more likely to suffer with depression, but men are statistically more likely to commit suicide when suffering from depression. This is because men are less inclined to talk about their problems and ask for help. Thankfully, awareness is growing that men don’t have to suffer in silence and depression is a serious illness. It’s important to recognise the symptoms which can include feelings of despair, anger, listlessness, tiredness and even frustration.
Bumps and lumps
If you notice anything amiss like unusual marks, bumps or lumps, it’s essential to get them checked out. One of the ways to ensure you stay healthy is to know your body, so you’ll know when anything changes or feels unusual. A man should check his testicles and scrotum regularly for example for any new lumps or bumps that could be a sign of testicular cancer. This is a very common cancer, but the treatment can be successful if it’s caught early.
