Men, how healthy are you – really?

June was Men’s Health Month, but it’s always a good time to talk about men's health. In fact, have you really considered your overall wellbeing? How healthy are you, from your head to your feet? Let’s dive in!

Heart matters

Blood pressure. Just hearing the phrase is probably enough to spike anyone’s blood pressure! Yet, regular blood pressure checks are essential. In fact, when was the last time you had a proper physical examination at the doctor’s office? And no, we’re not talking about checking your symptoms online. Hypertension is sometimes called a silent disease because primary hypertension develops over time without a specific, identifiable cause. It’s most often linked to your lifestyle. Then there’s secondary hypertension. This is typically due to an underlying condition or medication that impacts your blood pressure. The takeaway is simple: it’s vital to keep track of your blood pressure, as it can be high without obvious symptoms.

Cholesterol checks

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that’s created in your liver, and ideally, we have all the cholesterol we need, thanks to it being produced by the human body. The problem starts when we eat certain foods that also have cholesterol, and too much of the “bad cholesterol” increases our risk of health conditions. If your levels are too high, fatty deposits start to form in your blood vessels and as these continue to grow, it becomes a problem for enough blood to flow through to the arteries. There’s also the risk of a blood clot forming which could trigger a stroke or heart attack.

Blood sugar levels

With our increasingly unhealthy diets and fast-paced lifestyles, more people are developing diabetes, and more children are at risk of obesity. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be the end-game. You can do so much to lower your risk, simply by focusing on a more wholesome diet, getting regular exercise, and keeping on track with health check-ins. Left unchecked, diabetes can damage eyes, nerves, and limbs.

Mental health

Not all health issues are physical. Anxiety, depression, burnout; they don’t show up on a scale, but they can weigh down every part of your life. Asking for help is not weakness; it’s wisdom. Whatever your condition, there is help out there.

Start here: know your numbers

• The important numbers to keep track of: waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. These should be as familiar as your favourite sports statistics!
• Speaking of numbers, it’s not healthy to coast through on three to four hours of sleep a night. A restful sleep does wonders for your physical and mental health, so prioritise getting at least seven hours of sleep each night.
• How much time do you spend online, scrolling through social media, or watching TV? Make a concerted effort to reduce your screen time. Even just taking digital breaks from social media can go a long way to improving your mental health, soothing anxiety, and allowing you to spend time with people in real life.
• If you’re over 45, don’t skip regular physical exams and screenings for conditions, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and prostate cancer. Ideally, you should be doing these exams once a year. Remember, early detection increases the chances of successful treatment and can prevent future complications.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.