Men are well-known for not looking after themselves and their health. While women will typically go to the doctor when they notice signs that something might be wrong, many men are capable of putting things off for years with the result that minor health problems often turn into something much more serious and potentially life-threatening before they ever get checked up.
The truth is that men are, in general, not all that good about looking out for their health. However, there are some areas that men tend to neglect more than others, and the following three problems rank among the most neglected. For this reason, it is imperative that all men and their spouses are aware of the following dangers and know what signs to look out for. This way, you can give yourself the best chance of living a long, happy and healthy life.
Depression and Mental Health Disorders
It seems that one of the major reasons that men don’t seek help or treatment for potential health problems relates to society’s views on manliness. From a very young age, boys are taught that a real man doesn’t show weakness. This view can be especially problematic when it comes to mental health issues like depression as many guys are afraid of being viewed as weak or unmanly. However, it is important for men to remember that depression and other mental disorders are diseases, which means that the only way that they can be treated is to seek professional help.
The Centers for Disease Control notes that more than 6 million American men a year are diagnosed with depression. If left unchecked, these feelings of depression could wreak havoc on a person’s work life, personal relationships and family. Even worse, the condition could potentially lead to suicidal thoughts. This makes it essential that every man is aware of the signs and potential dangers of depression.
Anorexia, Bulimia, and Eating Disorders
Although eating disorders tend to be thought about as mostly something that occurs in females, statistics show that approximately 10 million American men will suffer from a serious eating disorder at some point in their life. The problem is especially prevalent amongst gay men, but eating disorders also commonly strike heterosexual men.
Anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders are all serious problems that can pose a huge health risk without proper help and treatment. The roots of eating disorders are typically psychological, which is why it is important that you seek out treatment and counseling from a facility like Center for Change to get assistance in overcoming your condition before it negatively affects your overall health and well-being.
Skin Cancer
Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer can be incredibly deadly, which is why it is important that everyone does what they can to limit their exposure to the sun and protect their skin against damage through the use of sunscreen. Skin cancer contributes to the death of approximately 10,000 Americans a year, and men account for two-thirds of these cases.
The fact is that men tend to spend more time out in the sun than women, and it seems that men simply aren’t as diligent about protecting their skin for whatever reason. As men are much more likely to die from skin cancer, it is essential that all men begin taking this problem seriously and become more diligent about protecting their skin from sun damage.
Although men tend to ignore a wide range of different health conditions, the three conditions on this list rank amongst those that guys pay the least attention to. Of course, in reality you should really be paying attention to your overall health and monitoring it for any changes. Nonetheless, watching out for and protecting against these three conditions is at least a good place to start.
