6 most common illnesses that affect men

Men are statistically proven to be less healthier than women. Matthew Hoffman, a practitioner of intensive care medicine at Emory University wrote in his article on WebMD, "Although the gender gap is closing, men still die five years earlier than their wives, on average." This is because they are more likely to put their health last on their list of priorities. It has been consistently observed that men are less likely to visit a doctor on a regular basis and usually have a serious condition if they do go. 

However, a little long-term planning may help you stay away from illnesses that are common in men. Take a look at the most common diseases to affect men and how you can avoid them.

Cardiovascular Disease 

Atherosclerosis, which is the blockage of arteries due to several reasons like high cholestrol and  blood pressure, leads on the list of diseases affecting men's health. The build-up of cholesterol forms a plaque in the arteries of the heart and the brain. If the plaque is too unstable, a blood clot forms and blocks the artery. This, in turn, prevents blood from reaching the heart causing a heart attack or stroke. Experts say that men have a higher chance of developing atherosclerosis naturally and thus must take steps to avoid it. 

How to avoid it? 
a) Starting at the age of 25, get your cholesterol checked after every five years. 
b) Do atleast 30 minutes of physical activity per day. 
c) Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet and reduce saturated foods. 
d) Reduce smoking and aim to quit it completely. 

 Lung Cancer 

Llung cancer is commonly found among men. It spreads early and fast and it is usually too late by the time it is detected. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in men. There are no effective screening tests available for lung cancer so it is very hard to detect it early. But, if it is detected early, it can be cured. 

How to avoid it? 

Quit Smoking: Although the ideal solution to this problem would be to quit smoking completely, it is rather hard to do so. But there are other plans and alternatives that will help you to reduce smoking and slowly wean yourself off it. 

Prostate Cancer 

Prostate cancer is another deadly disease that kills men. The prostate is a small gland behind the penis that secretes fluids important for ejaculation. As the age of men increases, the risk of prostate cancer becomes higher. It is the most common cancer in the world after skin cancer but it grows slowly and is unlikely to spread. 

How to avoid it? 
a) Go for a prostate cancer screening: This entails a digital rectal exam and a blood test for the prostate-specific antigen. 
b) Visit your doctor regularly: Experts say that the best chance of early detection of prostate cancer is regular checkups and open conversations with your doctor. 

Depression 

Depression is a mental illness that affects a large number of men. It not only affects your mind but also takes over your physical health, making you lethargic and weak. In a person affected by depression, brain chemicals and stress hormones are out of balance. Their sleep, appetite and energy levels are also disturbed.

However, the stigma attached to mental health prevents men from admitting to their depression. They are afraid of being seen as vulnerable and weak and hence they never speak up about it. However, this is dangerous depression can also lead to suicide. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death among all men. 

How to avoid it? 
a) Seek help: Do not be afraid to speak up about your mental health issue. It is as much a real illness as any physical disease. Going to a therapist may help you get better and improve your quality of life. 
b) Talk to someone: If you think you are depressed, reach out to someone like a close friend or family member. Talking to someone often helps provide a different perspective and it may be a good start to recovery. 

Diabetes 

Diabetes is a silent health threat that affects thousands of men. Over years, blood sugar levels rise and spill into the urine resulting in frequent urination and thirst. Excess glucose acts on blood vessels and nerves leading to heart attack, stroke, blindness and kidney failures. 

How to avoid it? 
a) Exercise combined with a healthy diet prevents type 2 diabetes. 
b) 30 minutes of physical exercise a day reduces the chance of diabetes by 50%. 

Erectile Dysfunction 

Erectile dysfunction is an effect of atherosclerosis and reflects on the poor health of the blood vessels in the body. Doctors consider erectile dysfunction as an early indicator of heart disease. Although not life threatening, it is a common problem among men.

How to avoid it? 
See your doctor: Home remedies and local treatments for erectile dysfunction are effective to make a fulfilling sex life possible but they don't cure the condition. In order to remove the threat of heart disease and other serious illnesses that develop as a cause of erectile dysfunction, seek professional medical help.