{"id":3658,"date":"2022-11-17T17:35:19","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T17:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/touchmedicalmedia.com\/?p=3658"},"modified":"2022-11-17T17:43:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-17T17:43:00","slug":"international-mens-day-focusing-on-mens-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/touchmedicalmedia.com\/news\/international-mens-day-focusing-on-mens-health\/","title":{"rendered":"International Men\u2019s Day: Focusing on Men\u2019s Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

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International Men’s Day is an important day to consider men’s mental and physical health. It is a day to recognize how some health conditions can affect men and to raise awareness around some of the unique challenges men may face.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, many issues men face are symptomatic of more significant problems in modern society. For example, prostate cancer is often linked to diet and exercise habits, whilst heart disease can be closely tied to obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Men’s mental health has also been closely studied, <\/span>with links found between depression and low testosterone levels<\/span><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Part of the problem is that men are generally less likely to seek medical care than women \u2013 and therefore, less likely to visit their doctor for check-ups, even if they have potentially severe symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only way to better support men with these health conditions is to improve awareness of the facts and how the risks can be reduced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore nine of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Mental health<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Mental health is a topic that has been widely discussed in recent years, and it affects people of all genders. But there are some differences in how men and women experience mental health issues, which can sometimes lead to a lack of understanding about how men can best address their mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, men are more likely than women to use alcohol or drugs to cope with stress or pressure, which can lead to addiction. They’re also less likely than women to seek help for depression or anxiety disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sadly, this can lead to higher suicide rates among men \u2013 on average, male suicide is double that of women. It varies geographically, but in the United States in 2020, those rates were four times higher, meaning that while men make up 49% of the population, they account for an estimated 80% of all suicides yearly (<\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a><\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness around men\u2019s mental health is the first step in taking action \u2013 there are ways to support men that can help reduce statistics like these. It starts by changing our perceptions about what it means to be a man \u2013 and then encouraging friends and family members who need help with their mental health to seek professional support. This can involve taking some time every day for self-care activities such as exercise or meditation, or talking about their feelings with someone they trust, personally or professionally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Simon Hodes, a General Practitioner based in the UK, has this to say about mental health:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cFor many people, mental health problems come out of the blue. Others may be predisposed by family history. For others, significant life events may trigger problems (common triggers being relationship problems, bereavement, work issues or financial problems). Whatever the causes, if any, mental health can be mixed and complicated and can affect your thoughts, feelings and actions.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

He also highlights the issues mental health problems can affect, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c… your sleep, mood, appetite, energy levels and libido (sexual drive). Some patients get physical symptoms such as muscle or chest pains, bowel upset, headaches and skin changes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how Dr Hodes suggests addressing the problem:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIF IN DOUBT, PLEASE SEE YOUR GP because it can be very hard to tell mental health apart from physical illness at times.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The main advice I would have for any patient is to TALK. This may be to a friend, family member, work colleague, counsellor, therapist or GP. Just seek HELP.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Learn more about new and emerging treatments for mental health conditions.<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

2. Migraine<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

While women tend to be affected more than men, it is estimated that 9% of men regularly suffer from migraines.<\/span><\/p>\n

These painful headaches \u2013 arguably the most painful \u2013 also have wide-ranging effects on a man’s health. For instance, men who suffer from migraines tend to present with other health problems, like depression, insomnia, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Migraines may also be linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with a recent report suggesting migraines increased the risk of heart attacks in men by <\/span>42% and made them twice as likely to suffer an ischemic stroke<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Triggers can vary, from diet to the environment, so avoiding known triggers is often a common way to prevent a migraine episode.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Awareness of how to deal with migraines is also essential, especially for men, as Rob Music, CEO of The Migraine Trust, explains:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cOur research has found that there is a significant and often unspoken impact that migraine has on the lives of men affected by it. They must be properly supported by the healthcare system and feel comfortable and confident to speak about their health, whether it\u2019s to their doctor or loved ones. No one living with migraine should feel isolated as a result of the condition.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Learn more about new and emerging migraine treatments<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Stroke<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Stroke is a leading cause of death in men. In the United States, for example, men under 44 years of age are more likely to be hospitalized for certain types of stroke than women of the same age (<\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a><\/span>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Though the exact reason for this disparity is unknown, several factors are believed to contribute to it. A few of these include:<\/span><\/p>\n