Men’s Health
Men in the 1920s had an average life expectancy of one year less than women. Today, the gap between men and women’s life expectancies is six years, according to the Men’s Health Network. The reasons for this gap are many, and include men’s less frequent trips to the doctor, lower rate of health insurance coverage, and greater likelihood of working in dangerous industries. Use this guide to learn how to stay healthy and keep an eye out for health problems unique to men.
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Email ThisMen’s Wellness
Men can stay healthy by exercising regularly, eating well and seeing the doctor for routine checkups. In this section, learn about men’s nutrition needs, exercise suggestions and essential health screenings.
Dulcinea's Insight
- To learn more about fitness, see the findingDulcinea Fitness Web Guide. Besides general fitness information, there are additional guides on weight training, running and swimming. In the findingDulcinea Sports Web Guide, find other activities, such as golf, hunting and tennis.
- If you smoke or use chewing tobacco, stopping can significantly improve your health. To learn more about it, visit the findingDulcinea Quit Smoking Web Guide.
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For a wellness overview …
MedicineNet.com
has an overview of how men can live a healthy lifestyle. Learn the importance of exercise and a healthy diet, and how men can protect themselves from accidents and manage stress to have a healthy life.
For nutrition …
Mission Hospitals
in Asheville, N.C., gives an overview of the different parts of our diets—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and water—and what men should know about them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has produced a five-page brochure called “why do fruits and vegetables matter to men?” Learn how much fruits and vegetables men should be eating each day, broken down by age range. There are also tips for getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
To learn more about general nutrition, see the findingDulcinea Nutrition Web Guide.
For fitness …
InteliHealth
is a consumer health site run by the insurance company Aetna. This page has an article called “Men: Stay Fit As You Age” that explains how to adapt your exercise routine as you age. Also learn “10 Manly Tips For An Aging Workout” and “Age-Appropriate Exercises For Men”, that includes a table describing how fitness changes, and suggests safe exercises and modifications for all age groups.
To learn about health screenings …
Mayo Clinic
shows when you should get different types of screenings done, based on your age and gender. A 35-year-old man, for instance, should have a blood pressure reading every two years, a cholesterol test every five years, and have two eye exams between the ages of 30 and 39.
Men’s Reproductive Health
Reproductive health is important for men and women alike. Untreated conditions can lead to infertility and other problems. Even if children aren’t in your future plans, the reproductive system is like other systems in the body: it needs to be healthy in order for you to stay healthy.
Dulcinea's Insight
- To learn more about the reproductive system, see the findingDulcinea Reproductive System Web Guide.
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For erectile dysfunction …
The National Library of Medicine
has an interactive, illustrated tutorial on erectile dysfunction. It explains the anatomy of the penis, the many causes of ED and the treatments available. The tutorial is also available in PDF form.
For fertility …
For prostate problems …
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
has a guide to benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate. This guide explains what the prostate is (a gland that helps make semen), why it enlarges, and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
The American Urological Association
describes the different types of prostatitis, a condition in which the prostate gland is infected by bacteria. This page also addresses treatment.
For sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs) …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has a fact sheet about syphilis for men who have sex with men. Learn about how the infection rates have grown recently, and possible reasons why.
For STDs and teens …
TeensHealth
says adolescents are at a higher risk for getting some sexually transmitted diseases. Left untreated, the diseases could potentially cause fertility issues or even kill you. Find out why it’s important to see the doctor for any condition you may have.
For testicular cancer …
Health Issues for Men
No matter how healthy your lifestyle may be illnesses can still occur. This section discusses health problems men commonly face, such as diabetes and hair loss.
Dulcinea's Insight
- To keep up on the latest news concerning a condition you’re interested in, use your favorite news Web sites to create alerts. Alerts are usually free, and are e-mailed to you when a story that contains keywords you’ve selected is published.
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For cardiovascular disease …
For diabetes …
For hair loss …
For osteoporosis …
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
explains that osteoporosis isn’t a “women’s disease” as many people think. In fact, 6 percent of men over 50 will fracture a hip because of osteoporosis. Another 5 percent of men in the same age group will fracture a vertebra.
For stress …
For strokes …
Mental Health and Men
Everyone, no matter his or her gender, is susceptible to mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five families in America is affected by mental illness. Most mental health issues have a variety of treatments. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor and get a referral to a mental health specialist if you think something is wrong.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The specific disorders listed in this section aren’t necessarily unique to men, but are what men commonly face.
- In 2004, men accounted for 78 percent of all suicides in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though women are more likely (on average) to attempt suicide, men are more likely to do it.
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For anxiety …
For bipolar disorder …
For depression …
The National Institute of Mental Health
has a guide to men and depression. Every year, more than six million men are estimated to suffer from depression.
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