There are several health conditions that affect men more often than women, but unfortunately, many men put their health on the back burner. Routine checkups and exams are necessary to help ensure that nothing is going on beneath the surface that could jeopardize your health and well-being. Just because you aren’t experiencing new symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing is wrong. A few conditions that are generally more prevalent in men include:
Heart Disease & Heart Attacks
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. Heart disease and heart attacks are more common in men than women, but there are certain things you can do to prevent them. These include not smoking cigarettes, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, choosing a healthy diet, reducing stress and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Kidney Cancer
Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with kidney cancer than women. Risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking cigarettes, old age, high blood pressure, exposure to certain substances in the workplace and obesity. Let your doctor know if you experience blood in the urine, pain in your back or side, unexplained weight loss or other troubling symptoms.
Bladder Cancer
Men are about four times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women. Like many other types of cancer, smoking is a significant risk factor. If you experience blood in the urine, frequent urination or painful urination, let your doctor know right away.
Hair Loss
While women can also suffer from hair loss, it’s more prevalent in men. You may be surprised to learn that low testosterone levels can contribute to hair loss, which is one more reason it’s important to get annual checkups.
Kidney Stones
While anyone can develop a kidney stone, they’re more common in men overall. Diets high in salt and protein can lead to kidney stone formation, so it’s important to limit red meat, salty foods, processed foods and sodas. You should also make sure you’re staying properly hydrated year-round.
At Arkansas Urology, our 10-point health checkups can help detect a variety of conditions that could lead to more serious problems if they aren’t treated. Our team can partner with your PCP to detect diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer in their earliest stages. We also screen for kidney function, sexual issues, liver function and more. If you’ve been skipping your routine checkups, don’t wait to see your doctor and get on track.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Do you need to schedule an appointment? Contact us today or book your appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon.
