(ThyBlackMan.com) These are the worst of the worst — the 10 most dangerous diseases for men. Every man needs to know what he’s up against. The good news? Many are preventable.
1. Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest in Men
You might assume that a heart attack or cardiac arrest is something you only need to worry about when you’re older. But sad to say, heart problems are all too common in younger men. After accidents (such as car crashes), heart disease is the most common killer of men between the ages of 35 and 44. In men 45 to 54 years old, it’s number one.
How can a heart attack or cardiac arrest be prevented?
The goal of heart attack and cardiac arrest prevention is to avoid clots and the build-up of plaque in your arteries called atherosclerosis. If you can keep blood flowing smoothly through your body, your risks of having problems are much lower.
Plaque builds up gradually. The good news is that you don’t have to worry that a single order of fettuccine alfredo will suddenly plug up your arteries.
The bad news is that decades later, your arteries may still show some ill effects of all that crap you ate in high school and college. Almost no one has significant coronary artery disease at the end of college, although the process starts in childhood. It accelerates markedly around age 50 to 60.
So how do you reduce the build-up of plaque? You probably already know the answer. It’s all the stuff you should be doing (but maybe aren’t). You can reduce the build-up if you do the following:
• Exercise for at least half an hour most days of the week.
• Eat right — preferably a diet low in saturated fat (less red meat) and high in fruits and vegetables.
• Lose weight (if you’re overweight).
• Don’t smoke — smokers are two to four times as likely to develop plaque in the coronary arteries.
• Reduce emotional stress.
2. High Blood Pressure in Men
Typically, blood pressure increases with age. Risk of high blood pressure begins to climb when men hit 45, although it can occur in younger men. African-Americans tend to develop it younger and have more severe hypertension. Obesity or a family history of high blood pressure also increases risk. One in every three adult Americans – about 65 million people 
– have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Many more are at risk of developing it. Over half of all Americans 60 and older have it, and over a lifetime, the risk of developing high blood pressure is 90 percent.
Despite these gloomy statistics, however, high blood pressure is not inevitable. There is plenty you can do to prevent, delay, and treat high blood pressure:
How can you prevent high blood pressure?
To prevent high blood pressure, first consider your diet. A healthy diet can go a long way toward preventing high blood pressure. At the same time, cut down on salt (sodium chloride), which can raise blood pressure. The National High Blood Pressure Education Program recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day. The ideal is even lower ? only 1,500. For the average man, who consumes about 4,200 milligrams a day, that requires a big change. But studies show that the lower your salt intake, the lower your blood pressure.
Along with a healthier diet, it is smart to be as active as possible to prevent high blood pressure. The more active you are, the lower their risk of developing hypertension. A few other changes can also keep your blood pressure in check. Both excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can raise blood pressure. Men who drink alcohol should stick to no more than two standard drinks a day. And if you smoke, the advice is obvious: Get serious about quitting.
3. High Cholesterol in Men
High cholesterol, also called hypercholesteremia, puts men at increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease. For many men, the risk of high cholesterol starts in their 20s and increases with age.
How can high cholesterol be prevented?
For most men, the most important change to reduce high cholesterol is to cut back on the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. That means cutting back on meat and poultry — either by eating smaller portions or eating them less often — and choosing skim or low-fat dairy products.
If you are overweight or obese, losing even just a few pounds can help lower your cholesterol level. There is no magical formula for weight loss, of course, but reducing portion sizes and cutting out things you can easily live without, such as sweetened beverages, is a good place to start. Regular exercise — as little as a brisk 30-minute walk most days — raises HDL and may also slightly lower LDL, a life-saving combination. Exercise is especially important if you have high triglyceride and LDL levels, and more than your share of abdominal fat.
4. Strokes in Men
Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in men, yet most guys can’t name one stroke symptom. Here’s how to recognize and prevent them.
How can you prevent stroke?
Hemorrhagic strokes are best prevented by controlling high blood pressure. The less pressure there is on the walls of your blood vessels, the less likely they are to burst.
The more common ischemic strokes are caused by blood clots — the same villains responsible for heart attacks. To decrease the risks, you need to keep your arteries clear of plaque — the gunk that builds up in them and leads to clotting. Ways to do this include:
• exercising for at least half an hour on most days of the week
• eating right — preferably a diet low in saturated fat (such as that in red meat) and high in fruits and vegetables
• losing weight (if you’re overweight)
• not smoking — smokers are twice as likely to have a stroke
5. Diabetes in Men
Type 2 diabetes, often called non-insulin dependant diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 90% – 95% of the 12 million men with diabetes. Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds — and it’s never too late to start:
• Get more physical activity
• Get more fiber
• Eat plenty of whole grains
• Lose extra weight
• Skip fad diets and make healthier choices
6. Lung Cancer in Men
It’s still the leader in cancer deaths, and many young men continue to smoke. But lung cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers.
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Try to avoid secondhand smoke by avoiding restaurants or bars where people smoke. If you live with smokers, insist that they light up outside only. And encourage them to quit.
• Whether you smoke or not, avoid exposure to radon. Radon can collect in homes, especially those that are highly insulated for cold weather and thus retain gas that may leak up through the foundation. An inexpensive and easy-to-use kit that accurately measures radon levels is available in most hardware stores.
• Exercise and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. These healthy habits will lower your risk of several forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.
7. Colorectal Cancer in Men
The bad news: It’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. The good news: It’s often preventable — and men may benefit from earlier screening than women.
How can you prevent colorectal cancer?
The good news for your colon, and your rectum, is that colorectal cancer is usually preventable. The number one way to prevent it is to get screened. Most men should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 50. If you have colorectal cancer in your family or other risk factors, tell your doctor. You may need screening at a younger age.
Several screening methods are proven to reduce colorectal cancer rates:
• Colonoscopy: You’ve probably heard of this procedure. The downside of it is that a flexible tube about the thickness of a finger is inserted into your anus. The plus side is that it can save your life. Your gastroenterologist (gut doctor) can usually see and remove polyps or cancer before it spreads. If your colon is “clean,” you probably won’t need another colonoscopy for several years.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: This scaled-down version of a colonoscopy is another reasonable option.
• Fecal Occult Blood Test: This involves you smearing stool on a paper card and bringing it to your doctor each year. Your gift is then checked for blood, because colorectal cancers often bleed. Blood in your stool usually earns you a colonoscopy, to look for cancer.
8. Prostate Disease
What is this troublesome gland, the prostate? How often do you need the dreaded rectal exam? Here’s a look at prostate health problems: prostatitis, BPH, and cancer.
How can you prevent prostate problems?
In some ways, prostate problems, particularly BPH, are a natural part of growing older. Still, there are specific steps you can take to keep your prostate healthy.
• A diet low in saturated fat and high in fruits and vegetables may lower your risk of developing BPH. Research is ongoing to identify who might benefit from early treatment to prevent BPH.
• According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of prostate cancer can’t be prevented. This is because prostate cancer’s causes are still unknown. As with BPH, however, experts recommend eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• No herbal supplements have been proven to prevent prostate cancer. Studies of selenium, a mineral that has shown some promise, are underway. Trials for drugs to prevent prostate cancer are also ongoing.
• No activity or drug is known to prevent prostatitis. Experts recommend good hygiene, including keeping the penis clean. Most men will never develop prostatitis.
9. Testicular Disease
It is the most common cause of cancer in young men — and usually curable. Get the lowdown on testicular cancer and other testicular diseases.
What can you do to prevent testicular disease?
There is no proven way to prevent testicular cancer. This is why early detection is so important. Experts recommend that all young men perform a testicular self-exam monthly. There also is no recommended method to prevent varicoceles, hydroceles, or testicular torsion. Epididymitis can sometimes be prevented by practicing safe sex and avoiding heavy lifting or straining with a full bladder.
10. Depression in Men
Depression in men is serious; suicide is the eighth most common cause of death in men. And because we may exhibit different symptoms than women, it often goes untreated. Here’s what you should know.
How can you prevent depression?
There is no known medicine, supplement, or herb that prevents a first episode of depression. After one episode of depression, most people will experience recurrences. But you can prevent or reduce these relapses by:
• Taking antidepressant medicines consistently as prescribed. Taking medicine for six months to a year after an initial bout of depression prevents depression from coming back.
• Learning and practicing cognitive therapy techniques. Done properly, these techniques may work as well as antidepressant medicines in preventing recurrences.
• Getting regular exercise and sleep.
• Avoiding alcohol and drug use.
Written By Brittany Gatson
