Ten Health Fears That Men Shit Themselves About But Do Nothing To Address
If you’re a normal bloke then the chances are that at least some of you will have niggling health fears that you’ve been putting off addressing for ages. Why is that normal? Well, because that’s just what blokes do. However, the wedding might be just the thing to make you take your symptoms seriously – after all, you want to be in peak condition for one of the most important days of your life, don’t you?
If you’re worried about any of these conditions, even if it’s just to get it off your mind, go and see your GP, pick up the phone and book an appointment now. We loves our readers and, frankly, you’re all too valuable to just leave to die, so if one of these is on your mind, dial your doctor now and get it dealt with.
Trust me, I'm paid to dress up and look like a doctor.
10) Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with 30,000 sufferers every year, but it has a survival rate of around 75%. It has a low risk in men under 50, but it increases thereafter. Men with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer (that’s son, father or uncle) are at an increased risk, as statistically are West African and Caribbean men.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include a sudden need to pass urine, being unable to pass urine and blood in urine and semen. The cause for this may be the growth pushing against the uretha, or alternatively, you may just be diagnosed with a benign enlargement of the prostate, which can be easily treated.
Useful Links
Cancer Help UK
Prostate Cancer Society
9) Lung Cancer
The most common cancer amongst men in the UK is principally caused by smoking. Symptoms include shortness of breath, excessive coughing, a hoarse voice and fatigue as the early symptoms.
Useful Links
8) Depression
Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common form of mental disorder in the UK, and although woman are more likely to be treated for the condition than men, British men are three times as likely as women to die by suicide. There is still unnecessary stigma amongst men in the UK in regards to mental health in particular. Suicide is the most common form of death in the UK amongst men under 35.
Symptoms
Pervasive low mood, lack of control of emotions, pessimistic attitude towards the world, poor sleep, appetite, sex drive and concentration.
Royal College of Psychiatry
C.A.L.M (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
7) Impotence
Impotence occurs when a man can’t gain or sustain an erection for long enough for sexual intercourse to take place. It affects 1 in 10 men on average and is naturally a wedding night concern.
Symptoms
It’s fair to say this is one symptom that men will almost definitely notice. Impotence, which is much more common in older men, can be caused by either a lack of blood supply to the penis or by the complex link between the psychological and physical aspects of human sexuality. High cholesterol, blood pressure are also related issues, with links to diabetes.
As with any medical issue, but with impotence in particular, seek qualified professional advice (Dr Google doesn’t count) before investing in any remedy or scheme advertised online.
Patient – Erectile Dysfunction
Bupa – Impotence
6) Migraines
The cause of migraines, which are not fully scientifically explained are thought to be chemical changes in the blood flow to the brain. They have a variety of individual triggers and are common and treatable.
Symptoms
Migraines aren’t entirely dissimilar to headaches, but are represented with a more noticeably throbbing, pulsing pain and often lead to side effects such as nausea and dizziness. Triggers can range from food and drink to temperatures. Experts suggest noting the environment of your migraine is a useful exercise in avoiding future attacks, such as on your big day or stag do.
5) Stroke
Strokes generally occur among older men and usually due to a lack of oxygenated blood as part of a clot, or less commonly, internal bleeding. Strokes can cause permanent brain damage.
Symptoms
Symptoms include weakness in limbs, slurred speech and facial impairment. In the case of stroke victims, it is more likely that somebody will spot these symptoms as the sufferer is in a state of arrest. If you suspect a stroke vicitm, you can check for facial weakness, arm weakness and speech issues but call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.
4) Premature Ejaculation
Another potential wedding night concern and one of the most common issues (and taboos) in British male health, premature ejaculation occurs when a man has an orgasm sooner than he or his partner would want.
Symptoms
We’re sure we don’t need to elaborate on when this is occurring. But it can be avoided. We’ve already a very useful column on the condition here on Staggered, and the links and resources below have a variety of different ways to improve your staying power and sex life overall.
BBC Health
NHS – Premature Ejaculation
3) Weight Gain
A fifth of the adult population is now obese, and unsurprisingly so, with so many fattening distractions available to us all, especially in the midst of a decadent wedding.
Symptoms
You have gained weight, durr. Your GP can help you with a dietary plan, alternatively, there’s an entire weightloss industry available, starting with these handy links below.
National Obesity Forum
Anne Collins Guide
2) Baldness
As soon as you’re married, you’re free to embrace baldness as it should be. You’ve a 4 in 7 chance of getting the baldness gene and there’s only so much you can do from creams to herbal remedies to fashioning a wig.
Symptoms
You are notably shiner, if not softer.
Patient UK – Baldness
Baldness Wiki
1) Heart Issues, Attacks and Palpitations
It’s a complex little machine, the old ticker. And as resilient as it is, it’s pretty necessary to keep us all ticking over. There’s all sorts, major and minor, that can go wrong with your heart, and generally, it can be detected in advance. Once again, we extol the virtues of your doctor – check it out!
Symptoms
Pains, sweating, loss of breath, nausea are the close range red flags of heart issues but heart issues can range from palpitations (a noticeably different or stronger heartbeat) to arrhythmias (weird rhythms in your heart).
British Heart Foundation
BBC Health
Not to labour the point but if any of these health issues are concerning you, don’t just read up about them on t’internet, go and see someone who didn’t shirk their way through uni and actually knows about stuff i.e. your doctor. You know it makes sense.
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