10 health threats for men

10 health threats for men
The Straits Times

According to health website www.webMD.com, the following are the 10 top health threats for men. Dr Chang Tou Liang of Chang Clinic said that many of them can be detected with early screening, which is key in effective treatment.

1 Heart attack
While 'cardiac arrest' is simply a fancy name for saying that the heart has stopped, a heart attack is when the blood flow to the heart muscles is interrupted, so the heart muscles undergo damage which may lead to cardiac arrest, said Dr Chang. Risk factors for a heart attack include being male, smoking and obesity.

2 Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is due to the body not producing sufficient insulin and Type 2 is due to reduced insulin sensitivity. Susceptibility to both types does have a genetic component, but the onset of

Type 2 can be slowed through a healthy diet and exercise.

3 Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men, and the second cause in women. Common symptoms would be coughing, shortness of breath and weight loss.

4 Colorectal cancer
It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is done via colonoscopy.

5 High blood pressure
'Many men often don't realise that they have high blood pressure,' said Dr Chang. However, having high blood pressure could lead to an increased risk of heart attack, kidney disease and stroke.

6 Prostate disease
The prostate gland is located near the bladder of the male, and produces seminal fluid. In later years there is risk of inflammation and cancer.

7 Stroke
A stroke happens when blood supply to the brain is cut off, said Dr Chang. There are two types of stroke: ischaemic stroke where a blood clot blocks blood flow; and haemorrhagic, where a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Both types of stroke can lead to paralysis.

8 Testicular disease
The testicles, which produce sperm and testosterone, are subject to swelling, inflammation and cancer. However, this has one of the highest cure rates among cancers if detected early.

9 High cholesterol
Being obese, not exercising and having high blood pressure increase the risk of someone with high cholesterol having a heart attack or stroke, said Dr Chang. High cholesterol can be controlled through a carefully monitored diet and medication.

10 Depression
Depression is serious, as it may lead to suicide, the eighth most common cause of death in men. Clinical depression is also likely to be genetically related.

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Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in men

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on May 7, 2008.