Getting the most out of life requires a commitment to attitudes that foster healthy lifestyle choices. While men and women have many of the same health concerns, men may be affected differently than women. In addition, there are some conditions which are unique to men. Familiarity with men’s health issues, regular screenings and prevention are keys to maintaining good physical wellness.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men in the United States. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. When a heart attack occurs, blood flow to the heart is reduced or cut off.
The warning signs of a heart attack in men vary slightly from women. Chest pain is a classic male heart attack symptom which may last for more than a few minutes or, it can come and go.
Other signs to be aware of include: discomfort or pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the back, neck or jaw; shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea or sweating; abdominal discomfort that may feel like indigestion
Ideally, treatments to restore blood flow to heart muscle, for example, clot-dissolving drugs or angioplasty, should begin within one hour after heart attack symptoms begin.
Some men are more at risk than others for developing heart disease. In addition to hereditary, other risk factors are high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, substance abuse, high cholesterol and lifestyle may play a role.
Preventative measures can lower the chances of having heart disease. Before undertaking any program to improve cardiovascular health, see a medical doctor. A physician may suggest a plan that includes eating certain foods, specific exercises and appropriate ways to reduce stress.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American and some genetic changes.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include: Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling; low back pain; pain with ejaculation
Doctors diagnose prostate cancer by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, X-rays or a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. A combination of treatments may be used.
Colon Cancer
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American and some genetic changes.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include: problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling; low back pain; pain with ejaculation.
Doctors diagnose prostate cancer by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, X-rays or a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. A combination of treatments may be used.
You also may be interested in...
Showing results 1 - 15
Page 1 of 2
Article
6/29/2016
![Army Col. Craig Shriver is director of the John P. Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and professor of surgery at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Male%20Breast%20Cancer.ashx?mw=120)
While less common among men than women, breast cancer affects roughly 2,600 males a year in the United States. MHS encourages men to take the necessary steps in preventing the disease.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Article
6/28/2016
![Dr. Shiv Srivastava is the co-director and scientific director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research, as well as the Judd W. Moul Basic Science Chair in the Department of Surgery at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Prostate%20Cancer.ashx?mw=120)
Doctors encourage “shared decision-making” in screening and treating one of the most common diseases in older men. Read more to find out what you should know about prostate cancer.
Recommended Content:
Preventive Health, Men's Health
Infographic
6/20/2016
![infographic about erectile dysfunction among male active component service members](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/ErectileDysfunctionmenshealthafhsbservicemembers.ashx?mw=120)
Approximately 10,000 service members were diagnosed with erectile dysfunction each year during a 10-year surveillance period. This infographic explains the potential causes and preventive measures.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Article
6/10/2016
![Navy Information Systems Technician 1st Class Lydale Hyde, assigned to Naval Air Facility Misawa, crosses the finish line during the base's monthly readiness run.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Investment%20health.ashx?mw=120)
Maintaining mission readiness includes taking charge of your overall health
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Article
6/8/2016
![Navy Lt. Blair Townsend, Naval Branch Health Clinic, Kings Bay undersea medical officer, checks the heart rhythm of Navy Fire Control Technician 1st Class Nicholas Mershon, from USS Georgia.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/navy%20mens%20health.ashx?mw=120)
June is Men's Health Month, a time to encourage early detection and treatment of disease
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Infographic
6/8/2016
![infographic about heart disease and its effect on service members](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/Cardiovascularinfographicmenshealth.ashx?mw=120)
Cardiovascular disease comprises disorders of the heart and circulatory system including coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. This infographic provides data on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease among military members base on diagnostic codes in the electronic health records of service members during a 10-year surveillance period.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health, Heart Health
Article
6/3/2016
![Men’s Health graphic](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/MensHealth_JUN2016.ashx?mw=120)
Many of the major health risks faced by men can be prevented or treated with early diagnosis
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Infographic
5/31/2016
![infographic showing man excercising](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/Rhabdomyolysisheatinjurypreventionarmysunsafety.ashx?mw=120)
Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of overworked muscle cells following the release of toxic fibers into the bloodsteam causing many complications during physical exertion. This infographic explains how to avoid and treat it.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health, Summer Safety
Article
2/17/2016
![Doctors gain valuable insight by asking their patients about their family health history. Health problems, like diabetes and heart disease, can be higher-risk for patients whose family members have a history of certain ailments. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Dietrich)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/family-health-history.ashx?mw=120)
Your family health history gives doctors an opportunity to see what health problems run in the family. By knowing this, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of ailments, such as diabetes.
Recommended Content:
Preventive Health, Men's Health, Conditions and Treatments
Infographic
6/22/2015
![Men are 24% less likely to go to the doctor than women.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/MHM_grph0101.ashx?mw=120)
Men are 24% less likely to go to the doctor than women.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Infographic
6/15/2015
![National Men's Health Month](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161019014743im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Infographics/MHM_grph0301.ashx?mw=120)
You know your body better than anyone else. Tell your provide if something changed.
Recommended Content:
Men's Health
Showing results 1 - 15
Page 1 of 2