Morning Show Guy talk: Health Top 10 diseases that kill men Most of the common diseases that affect men are potentially preventable, but one needs to know their enemy. Interestingly, the presence of some diseases increases the likelihood that another will occur. Heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and dementia all share the same risk factors:smoking, high blood pressure,high cholesterol, and family history. 1. Heart disease Heart disease is the number one killer of men world-wide. 2. Cancers Prostate cancer, Colon and rectal cancers and testicular cancer. 3. Injuries Accidents happen and the key to minimizing the risk of death is to use common sense and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Simple actions like wearing a seatbelt while in a car, wearing a helmet when cycling, skiing, skateboarding, or other activities where head injuries occur help decrease risk of death in an accident. 4. Stroke (cerebrovascular accident, CVA) A stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]), occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted, causing brain cells to die. 5. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and both are most commonly caused by smoking. Due to the toxins in smoke, the lung tissue is damaged and loses its ability to transfer oxygen from the inhaled air into the blood stream. 6. Diabetes The pancreas makes insulin to help cells use glucose for energy. Diabetes describes the situation where insulin function in the body is abnormal. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people younger than 40 where the bodys immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. More than 80% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. 7. Influenza and pneumonia A healthy lifestyle and healthy body makes for a strong immune system that can fight common infections like influenza (flu). It is important to follow public health recommendations for routine immunizations to reduce the risk of contracting the flu, and its complications such as pneumonia. 8. Suicide Thoughts of self harm are not normal. They should not be ignored by a man, family, or friends, and should be considered an emergency situation. Depression can become overwhelming and potentially life-threatening. Men with depression may be able to function reasonably well on a day to day basis and may be reluctant to seek help. It may take a crisis situation to finally get a man to agree to get medical, psychological, and counseling assistance. 9. Kidney disease The kidneys filter impurities from the blood and dispose of them in the urine. They are also important in maintaining electrolyte balance in the blood. Even in healthy people, aging gradually decreases the efficiency of kidney function. Kidney failure is often a result of years of poorly controlled high blood pressure and diabetes. 10. Alzheimers disease Dementia and Alzheimers disease describes a gradual loss of cognition and intellectual ability including language, attention, memory, and problem solving is an otherwise healthy person. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. The checklist: How to stay healthy Stop smoking Maintain a healthy weight Engage in some type of physical activity every day Eat a heart healthy diet Maintain good control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes Get routine medical care and physical examinations Get recommended screenings for prostate and colon cancer Perform routine home testicle exams Keep mentally active Maintain close relationships with a circle of friends Seek help if you have symptoms of depression
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 05:28:55 +0000
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