Top 5 Men’s Health Risks Every Man Should Know

While it’s impossible to completely prevent getting a disease, incorporating better health habits can help avoid the leading causes of death in men. Here are some of the top conditions that affect men’s health and tips on how to reduce your risk.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, and the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 174,650 new cases by the end of 2019. Even though prostate cancer is a serious disease, the good news is that most men who are diagnosed with this disease do not die from it. Here are some prevention tips:

• Incorporate a diet that is low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables
• Limit dairy intake
• Keep a healthy weight
• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily

Heart Disease

While certain risk factors of heart disease cannot be changed, such as age and being male, adding the following to your lifestyle can reduce your risk:

• Develop healthy eating habits - fruits, vegetables and fish high in Omega-3s
• Participate in stress-reducing activities
• Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Quit smoking

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men. Smoking and exposure to hazardous materials, such as radon or asbestos, are also other risk factors. Lower your risk of lung cancer by developing the following habits:

• Quit smoking
• Have your home tested for radon
• Avoid exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
• Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet

Stroke

A stroke can happen when blood flow is cut off from a part of your brain. While factors such as being older in age or family history of stroke can increase your risk, there are some things you can do to prevent having a stroke such as:

• Check your blood pressure regularly
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol intake
• Exercise daily
• Make healthy food choices

Diabetes

Despite popular belief, sugar itself does not cause diabetes, but it can lead to obesity, which is one of the top risk factors. Reduce your risk of diabetes by doing the following:

• Limit intake of sugary and processed foods
• Exercise regularly
• Drink more water
• Keep a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Incorporate a diet high in fiber

If you would like more information about men’s health and reducing risks of disease, contact Parrish Healthcare today. Our team of doctors and caring staff are here to answer all your questions and ease your concerns.