5 things men should know

When it comes to health, men usually follow in their fathers’ footsteps. They like to tinker on cars and take care of the house. But if something needs fixing with their health, they neglect to take steps to make the repair. So, we’ve compiled a list of five things all men should know.

1. Men over 40 should get an annual checkup.

Several screenings are recommended annually for men, including skin and oral cancer checks, balance testing, and bone density. They should also monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and PSA levels for prostate cancer.

2. Prostate cancer tops the list of cancers that afflict men.

Nearly 300,000 new cases are diagnosed, and more than 35,000 deaths are attributed to prostate cancer each year in the United States.

3. Erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign for other conditions.

The inability to achieve an erection can be physical, psychological or both. However, erectile dysfunction may signal underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hormone imbalances, or neurological disorders, though not dangerous itself.

4. Male-pattern baldness is treatable.

Most men will have some hair loss by age 35, and by age 50, about 85% will have significantly thinning hair. Two FDA-approved products have been clinically proven to stop or prevent hair loss: Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine).

5. Work-life balance is important.

For optimal health, men should find the right balance between their job, their family and their own personal time. Being overworked and under stress is an imbalance that can lead to numerous health issues.

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