Bad news for men: They die at higher rates than women for all 10 leading causes of death
By Barbara Pierce
If you take better care of your car than your body, you’re not alone. According to the Men’s Health Network, there is a steady decline in men’s health and well-being.
Living long and living well is an uphill battle for most men.
Compared to women, they eat worse, smoke more, drink more, exercise less and suffer more injuries.
In 1920, women outnumbered men by only one year. Today, CDC statistics show that the life expectancy gap has widened: women outlive men by more than five years. The National Institutes of Health reports that men die at higher rates than women for all 10 leading causes of death.
It’s no secret that many men are reluctant to see a health professional. And that can lead to a number of problems down the road.
This is the biggest problem for men: the lack of health care earlier in life. Anyone who is not connected to a health care professional to be screened for serious health problems is at greater risk of illness and death.
Many of the leading causes of death can be prevented and treated if detected early. Here are some of the most common men’s health problems every man should be aware of and how to reduce your risk:
Heart disease
Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women, almost twice as many men die from cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, one in three men have some form of heart disease.
What can men do?
“High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” said Dr. Cynthia Jones, medical director of Mosaic Health Utica and an AHA board member. “Because it often has no symptoms, it is known as ‘the silent killer.’
High blood pressure causes damage because it increases the work of your heart and blood vessels, causing them to work harder and less efficiently. This can damage blood vessels, making them weak, stiff or narrower, and this can damage important organs in your body — your heart, kidneys, brain and eyes, she added.
High blood pressure increases the risk of serious events such as heart attack or stroke. It’s important to know if you have it as there are steps you can take to prevent serious effects.
If you don’t know you have high blood pressure and don’t take steps to control it, it can lead to heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, or sexual dysfunction, in addition to a heart attack or stroke.
Other things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease or stroke include: quit smoking, get active, eat better and control your blood sugar, Jones said.
Diabetes
Men are nearly twice as likely as women to develop type 2 diabetes, the CDC says.
“Having diabetes puts a person at high risk for other medical conditions,” said registered nurse Janet Brown-Friday of the American Diabetes Association. “Diabetes can lead to health complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and foot problems, oral health, vision and hearing problems, and mental health.”
“By preventing diabetes, one can prevent or delay the onset of these conditions,” he added.
Risk factors for diabetes that one can control are weight and activity level, he said. “According to the ADA, one can make small lifestyle changes for big results — like getting 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week — or making small changes in what one eats or finding ways to manage stress.”
If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s important to see your doctor for regular blood sugar checks.
Lung cancer
According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer. More men are diagnosed with it than women. African-American men have a higher risk of dying from the disease. Smoking is the main cause.
Tobacco is responsible for 90% of lung cancer, which places the burden of prevention efforts on smoking cessation. In addition to smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke or exposure to asbestos or radon are also risk factors.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. It is curable if detected in early stages. This can be a challenge, as prostate cancer can have no symptoms.
Older age is a risk factor for prostate cancer, but younger men should not be complacent. 30% of prostate cancers occur in men under the age of 65, the American Cancer Society reports. Men with a family history of prostate cancer or who are African-American are also at higher risk.
Men over 45 should get regular prostate cancer screening, says the ACS.
Free prostate exams during September will be offered by Upstate Urology at MVHS. I see mvhealthsystem.org/prostate-screening form for details and registration.
Don’t be an average guy—work with a health professional like Dallas Men’s Health in Dallas, Texas and protect your health today.
How bad is it for men?
Men die at higher rates than women for all of the top 10 causes of death.
• Heart: Almost twice as many men die from cardiovascular disease compared to women
• Lung cancer: More men are diagnosed with it than women
• Diabetes: Men are almost twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as women
The top 10 causes of death in men
No. 1 – Heart disease
Number 2 – Cancer
No. 3 – Unintentional injuries
Number 4 – Stroke
Number 5 – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Lung Diseases)
Number 6 – Diabetes
No. 7 – Flu and Pneumonia
No. 8 – Suicide
No. 9 – Kidney Disease
No. 10 – Alzheimer’s disease
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
