Men's health, what are the things you need to know? & bull; hello healthy

Talking about men's health is not only about the condition of the reproductive organs, but also needs to be seen broadly. There are various health problems that are more prone to men than women. This is of course influenced by various factors, ranging from habits, environmental factors, and so on.

What do you need to know about various health problems commonly experienced by men? Then what are the preventive steps? Check out the full review below.

Health problems that are susceptible to adult men

Health problems in men related to the heart, lungs, and kidneys are as common as in women. However, there are some special diseases that only men experience, such as prostate cancer and conditions of the male reproductive organs - such as impotence and penile health.

Therefore, you need to be aware of any signs and symptoms caused by the following male health problems.

1. Heart disease

Heart and blood vessel or cardiovascular disease is characterized by conditions of narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels. This condition can cause heart attack, chest pain, or stroke.

One of the most well-known and dreaded types of heart disease is coronary heart disease. This condition can be experienced by anyone, even at least 5-9% of adults over 20 years experience this condition.

These health problems in men can be life threatening and cause death, because they occur suddenly and are asymptomatic. Therefore, it is important to carry out routine checks and avoid the risk factors.

2. Lung disease

Various lung diseases are more susceptible to men, especially those who have bad habits such as smoking. Both active and passive smoking can cause serious lung problems, from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung disease generally include a prolonged cough, frequent respiratory problems (flu and colds), shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing (wheezing), and fatigue.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of lung disease are often ignored until they reach severe conditions and are diagnosed too late. Whereas early detection can make this condition easy to cure.

3. Kidney disease

Kidney disease is very risky in people who are overweight (obese), drink less water, don't exercise, and eat lots of sweet and salty foods.

The onset of kidney disease can also be triggered by other health problems you experience, such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes.

4. Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a condition of abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth in the prostate gland, which is one of the reproductive organs owned by men.

This disease is one type of cancer that often occurs and causes the highest death in men.

Prostate cancer is more common in elderly people aged 60 years and over. However, it is possible that this condition occurs at the age of 40 years and under or younger.

Why are men vulnerable to these health problems?

Compared to women, men need to pay more attention to their health conditions. There are several factors that make men more prone to health problems, such as:

• Bad habits, such as smoking and consuming alcohol
• Doing activities that have a higher risk of injury and accidents
• Ignoring the signs and symptoms of the disease being experienced
• Postpone routine checkups (medical check up) to the doctor

Thanks to some of these bad habits, the data shows that the average age of men is 4-5 years shorter than women globally The World Journal of Men's Health .

This is further emphasized by data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency which recorded the life expectancy (AHH) of the Indonesian people in 2019, namely 69.44 years for men and 73.33 years for women.

Apart from the bad lifestyle, other factors such as economic status and access to health facilities also have an effect.

How to prevent male health problems?

Avoiding bad habits and changing lifestyle, can significantly reduce the risk of developing disease in men.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the following steps can make you avoid various health problems in men.

1. Avoid smoking

If you are an active smoker, you should stop smoking immediately. If you have difficulty, consult your doctor to determine which method is the most effective.

Passive smoking is also as dangerous as active smokers. As much as possible avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, and chemicals to prevent the risk of lung and heart disease.

2. Limit alcohol consumption

Based on recommendations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , adult men should limit to only 2 units of alcohol per day or no more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

If you can't stop drinking alcohol, it's better to follow the rules of safe alcohol consumption wisely. The dose for one unit of alcohol is equivalent to:

• 240-280 ml (one glass of star fruit or half a large glass) of beer with an alcohol content of 3-4 percent.
• 50 ml of wine or sake with an alcohol content of 12-20 percent.
• 25 ml of liquor such as whiskey, scotch, gin, vodka and tequila with an alcohol content of 40 percent.

Excess alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cancer, especially liver cancer. This bad habit can also increase blood pressure, so that you have a greater potential for having a heart attack or stroke.

3. Intake of nutritious food

Limit consumption of packaged foods that are high in sugar, salt, saturated fat, additives, and excessive calories.

We recommend that you set a balanced diet by eating nutritious foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain products, high-fiber foods, and protein sources such as lean meat or fish.

Some people also need to consider the consumption of daily multivitamins and supplements to maintain men's health. But before that, consider consulting a doctor or nutritionist to adjust to your conditions and activities.

4. Exercise

Besides being able to control your weight, exercise can also reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. Choose a sports activity that you like, for example jogging , futsal, badminton, and so on.

Take at least 75-150 minutes per week to exercise and strengthen your muscles.

If you've never exercised before, it's a good idea to do light physical activity, such as walking up and down stairs, stretching, or taking a leisurely walk.

5. Maintain ideal body weight

Overweight or obesity increases the risk of health problems in men, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Generally, body mass index (BMI) is used to determine whether a person is obese or not.

It is important to lose weight and keep it in ideal condition to reduce the risk of diseases due to obesity. One of the things you can do, such as maintaining food intake and exercising regularly.

6. Manage stress

Stress can be caused by problems at work, finances, relationships with partners, and so on. The body that responds to stress can have various health effects, such as affecting heart rate to brain function.

Do simple things, like choosing healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough rest to manage stress.

But if it is difficult to treat, try to consult a doctor or psychologist to determine the right stress management strategy.

7. Routine medical check up

Men generally ignore the health problems they experience. It would be nice to come immediately and consult a doctor if certain symptoms arise before the condition gets serious. This is especially important if you have problems such as painful urination because it could be a sign that there is a prostate-related problem.

Schedule for regular check-ups or medical check up to find out the condition of your body. Doctors generally will check cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other necessary medical tests.

After that the doctor will recommend lifestyle changes, medication, and other therapies related to your condition.

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