British men are paying the price for neglecting their health: more than 100,000 men a year die prematurely. Don’t suffer in silence when there’s help at hand.
Here are five common health issues for men and the symptoms you should look our for.
Man Down
We can all go through a time of feeling unhappy or fed up, however when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or even months.
Depression is an illness with real effects on your work, social and family life. Men are less likely to have depression but because men are more reluctant to speak to someone and seek help suicide rates in men are higher.
What to look out for:
- lasting feeling of sadness and hopelessness
- losing interest in the things you used to enjoy
- feeling constantly tired
- bad sleeping pattern
- no appetite
If you experience any of the symptoms above, see your GP.
Learn more about depression on the NHS website
Blocked pipes
If you’ve ever had limescale building up in your pipes you’ll know what can happen if your prostate gets too big. When you try to open the tap it might come out slowly, take a while to get going or drip. Urine symptoms can occur with infections and bladder problems, so see your GP for advice.
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A testicular lump
If you notice a lump or any other abnormalities in your testicles it is important to see your GP. Most testicular lumps are not cancerous, however it is important to have any lumps checked.
Cancer of the testicles usually affects younger men between the ages of 15 to 49.
The most common symptoms are:
- A painless lump or swelling
- An ache in the scrotum
- A feeling of heaviness
If you experience any of the symptoms above, see your GP.
NHS: Find out what your testicles should look and feel like
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Impotence
Impotence is a common problem that affects men of all ages. Erectile dysfunction is the preferred medical term for impotence, meaning problems getting or keeping an erection. If you experience erection problems for several weeks you are advised to see your GP.
Loss of confidence or psychological reasons are really common but physical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure can be to blame.
Lifestyle changes, such as cutting down on alcohol, exercising and losing weight can correct erectile dysfunction.
Find out more about impotence on the NHS website
Moles
If you notice a mole, it is important to check it regularly and be aware of any changes in colour or size. Check these against a mole assessment tool like the one on NHS Choices. Take a photo if you’re not sure so you can spot any changes over time, but always get a rapidly changing mole checked by your GP.
Use the NHS mole assessment to check your mole.
If you would like to speak to a GP about any of the issues covered, find a GP near you today.
