Men's Health
Health tips for elderly men
While the life expectancy gap between women and men has decreased, there are several conditions that continue to greatly affect men's health as they age. Prevention is key: health risks such as heart disease can be prevented and treated effectively with an early diagnosis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are three of the top threats to men's health, and simple preventative measures to promote good health as a man ages.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the biggest health threat for men as they get older. The following are preventative measures:
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products, and avoid all contact with secondhand smoke
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fish and fruit, and cut back on fatty foods
- Regulate high blood pressure or high cholesterol if a diagnosis is given
- Exercise regularly
- If diabetes is evident, regulate your blood sugar level
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Control stress levels
Cancer
Preventative measures include:
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products, and avoid secondhand smoke
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid fatty foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Incorporate regular exercise into your schedule
- Limit your sun exposure and remember to use sunscreen
- If drinking alcohol, drink in moderation
- Have regular cancer screenings
- Avoid exposure to potential cancer-causing substances such as air pollution, radiation, asbestos and radon
Stroke
As with heart disease and cancer risks, there are stroke risk factors that are out of a person's control, such as age, family history and race. However, there are some ways you can reduce your risk of stroke:
- Do not smoke
- Limit saturated fat and cholesterol amounts in your diet, and avoid trans fats
- If diabetes is evident, keep blood sugar under control
- Exercise regularly
- Control alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight