June is Men’s Health Month, which helps foster awareness of and conversations about the health issues all men face. According to a survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians, 38% of men go to the doctor only when they’re extremely sick or when symptoms don’t go away on their own. While some symptoms may not be serious, it is important not to ignore symptoms that may be caused from something serious. Keep reading to learn more symptoms men shouldn’t ignore.
Chest Pain
While most people immediately link chest pain to a heart attack, it can also be a symptom of many other health issues such as heart disease, lung disease or gastrointestinal problems. Studies show that more than half of the patients that suffer from cardiac arrest experience symptoms days or weeks before the heart attack, but 80% of them ignore the symptoms. If you are suffering from chest pain, seek immediate medical care.
Shortness of Breath
While an intense workout or moving heavy furniture around the house can cause anyone to experience shortness of breath, frequent shortness of breath that is not caused by exerting yourself can be a bigger issue. Persistent labored breathing can often be a warning sign of heart attack, congestive heart failure or lung disease. If you have noticed shortness of breath, be sure to make an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss the cause.
Blood in Urine
Finding blood in your urine can be scary, and if there is enough that you can clearly see it, there may be reason for concern. Small amounts of blood in the urine can be caused by urinary tract infections or kidney stones, but can also be a sign of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate. Either way, medical attention is needed to properly diagnose and treat the problem.
Fatigue
Feeling tired can be caused from aging, stress or simply not getting enough sleep, but if it is a chronic issue, there may be something more going on. Excessive fatigue can be a symptom of certain types of cancer, congestive heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, infections and kidney or liver disease. Health problems like depression, anemia or a thyroid issue can also make you extremely tired. If you’re feeling more tired than usual, let your doctor know.
Memory Loss
Everyone forgets things from time to time or misplaces their keys, but if you are experiencing regular forgetfulness or confusion, it may be a sign of something more serious. Aging can cause a certain level of memory loss, but if the memory loss seems to be dramatic, there is more than likely a disease involved. Some common reasons for memory loss are Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, brain damage, infection, encephalitis, stroke and more.
Vision Problems
Worsening eyesight is common for aging individuals, but can also be a sign of other health issues. Regular eye exams are important to diagnose eye problems that you may not notice on your own. Besides worsening eyesight, blind spots, blurred vision, tunnel vision and halos can be signs of rather worrisome conditions. Your eye doctor can perform tests to detect glaucoma or diagnose conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Unfortunately, statistics show men have more health problems than women and are 1.5 times more likely to die from heart disease, cancer or lung disease. By recognizing symptoms that can signal something serious, men can be diagnosed early and have better treatment options available to them. If you or a man in your life is suffering from any of these or other symptoms, make an appointment with your physician or seek medical treatment immediately for emergency issues.