Men and exercise facts Cancer Diabetes Testicular cancer Talk about men's health
Most men spend more time on their car's health and maintenance than on that of their own body. Here's how to give your man a full MOT and keep his engine and body work in good order for as long as possible
Obesity
An estimated 10 per cent of boys, and 66 per cent of men, are either obese or overweight. The average male now weighs over 78kg (12st, 4lb). Being overweight increases the risk of a number of serious illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease and strokes.
If your man is overweight, do all you can to help him lose excess fat by encouraging him to eat a healthy diet and increase the amount of exercise he takes. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, DIY and gardening are all ideal activities. If he hasn't exercised for some time, start him off slowly and gradually get him to increase the level of activity as he becomes fitter.
Research suggests that men with a waist circumference larger than 102cm (40") are more likely to have shortness of breath, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes than those with slimmer waistlines. Slight waist reductions of just 5cm (2") to 10cm (4") can significantly reduced his risk of a heart attack.
High blood pressure
At least one in 10 adult males has a high blood pressure (hypertension) - consistently raised above 140/90 mmHg, but they remain unaware of this important health problem. A further 13 per cent are receiving treatment for hypertension, but around half of these still have an unacceptably high blood pressure. Unfortunately, as high blood pressure usually causes no obvious symptoms, it's easy to miss a diagnosis.
If your man hasn't had his blood pressure checked in the last year or two, make him an appointment to see the nurse at your GP surgery.
Coronary heart disease
Men aged 55 to 74 are twice as likely to have suffered a heart attack or stroke as women of the same age and overall, one in four men will eventually die from coronary heart disease. One in five men die prematurely - before the age of 75 - from diseases of the heart and circulatory system.
To beat these odds, help him adopt a healthier lifestyle with regular exercise, no smoking, and keep his alcohol intake to no more than three to four units of alcohol per week with at least a couple of alcohol-free days (one pint of normal strength beer contains two units). If he's overweight, or heart problems run in his family, it's a good idea to have his cholesterol levels checked. Another risk factor is homocysteine, an amino acid that damages artery linings if levels are too high. This can be checked with a blood test.
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At least one in three men will have cancer diagnosed at some point in their life, with one in four eventually dying from it. While some cancers can be inherited, losing excess weight, eating five servings of fruit and veg per day, not smoking, keeping alcohol intake within sensible limits and exercising regularly will help to protect against a number of common cancers.
A good intake of fruit and veg is vital - latest research suggests that just eating an extra portion a day can reduce the risk of early death from cancer and heart disease by a fifth.
Prostate problems
The prostate is a male gland the size and shape of a large chestnut. It lies just beneath the bladder, and wraps round the tube (urethra) through which urine exits the bladder.
After the age of 45, this gland starts to enlarge (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) due to a general increase in the number of prostate cells present. BPH affects at least 14 per cent of men in their 40s and 40 per cent of men in their 70s, causing symptoms such as:
Prostate cancer is the second most common male cancer, but is increasing so rapidly in incidence that it is on target to overtake lung cancer and become the most common male cancer by 2006. Although no symptoms always appear in the early stages, it can cause urinary difficulties similar to those of BPH at a later stage. If your man has urinary difficulties, it's important to be assessed by a doctor. Don't let embarrassment put him off.
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One per cent of young adult males have diabetes, rising to over three per cent of men aged 65 to 75 and 4.5 per cent of men aged over 75 years. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently raised above a certain level. There are two main types: Type I diabetes, which usually first occurs under the age of 35 years, and Type 2 diabetes, which mainly develops over the age of 40. Type I diabetes usually develops rapidly with weight loss, excessive thirst and excessive production of urine, requiring urgent treatment. Type 2 diabetes tends to come on gradually, however, and often remains undiagnosed. It's most common in people who are obese.
If your man hasn't had his urine screened for glucose in the last few years, arrange for him to take a sample to the surgery for checking.
Impotence
Impotence - also known as erectile dysfunction - affects an estimated one in ten men. It becomes more common with increasing age, affecting 40 per cent of men aged 40, and almost 70 per cent of those aged 70. Eighty per cent of all impotence cases have an underlying physical cause such as diabetes, circulatory disease, side effects of medical or surgical treatment, hormone imbalance or nervous system diseases. Psychological causes, such as depression, only account for 20 per cent of cases.
If your man has difficulty making love, encourage him to seek medical advice. He doesn't need to feel embarrassed - doctors deal with this sort of problem every day and several new treatments have become available over the last few years.
Impotence facts
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Testicular cancer mainly affects young men, with half of all cases occurring under the age of 35 years old. It is now four times more common than 50 years ago but many testicular cancers are curable, if caught early enough. The most common symptom is swelling in part of one testicle, which is usually painless although some men notice an ache or heaviness.
Testicle check
Encourage your man to check his testicles regularly for lumps - or check them yourself as part of foreplay.
1. Hold each testicle gently between the thumb and fingertips of both hands
2. Slowly bring the thumb and fingertips of one hand together while relaxing the fingertips of the other
3. Alternate this action so the testicle glides smoothly between both sets of fingers. This lets you assess the shape and texture of the testis - you may be able to feel a soft tube (epididymis) attached towards the top, at the back, which is normal
4. Repeat with the other testicle
Each testicle should feel soft and smooth - like a boiled egg without its shell. If there are any lumps or irregularity, your man should tell his doctor straight away. Try not to panic. Many non-serious types of lump can also occur in the testes, but all need investigation just in case.
Testicular cancer-facts
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Male average life expectancy is around six years shorter than the female equivalent. Despite this, men are notoriously bad at looking after themselves. Many are unaware of the range of health services available from their GP. Others tend to avoid visiting their GP until a problem becomes really bad.
One per cent of young adult males have diabetes, rising to over three per cent of men aged 65 to 75 and 4.5 per cent of men aged over 75 years. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently raised above a certain level. There are two main types: Type I diabetes, which usually first occurs under the age of 35 years, and Type 2 diabetes, which mainly develops over the age of 40. Type I diabetes usually develops rapidly with weight loss, excessive thirst and excessive production of urine, requiring urgent treatment. Type 2 diabetes tends to come on gradually, however, and often remains undiagnosed. It's most common in people who are obese.
If your man hasn't had his urine screened for glucose in the last few years, arrange for him to take a sample to the surgery for checking.
While a number of male health problems are linked with increasing age, symptoms should not be dismissed as merely due to the ageing process. Men with recurrent problems, such as those affecting the urinary tract, should always be encouraged to seek medical advice from their GP or - if they prefer - by talking to the practice nurse in their surgery.
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