Are You Taking Care of Yourself Bro?
In commemoration of Men’s Health Month
This guy that I know. He had called me several times on this particular day but I had been busy. I made a mental note to call him back later in the day but I forgot. I remembered a few days later and called back, only to hear his mother’s frantic voice. He had collapsed on the day that he tried reaching me and had to be rushed to the hospital. Thankfully, he was a bit stable when I called. His blood pressure had shot up to an abominably high level which rendered him unconscious. He was hypertensive but had stopped taking his medication. When I asked him why he had stopped, he said that he thought the doctor’s initial recommendation was a single-dose situation not realising that he was supposed to use his medication for as long as he was hypertensive. Coupled with all of the work and life stress he was going through, his body ended up shutting down temporarily. Thank God he survived it.
This is the story of many men but sadly, not all survive. For some, it is a cardiac event, for others, it is an emotional struggle. For most, it is a fight to be a man and not share one’s struggles because “men are meant to be strong and be able to deal with whatever life throws at them”. Many men are going through a lot but not many men are open enough to share their life struggles with other people.
This is the first time I ever heard that there is an entire month dedicated to men’s mental, physical, and emotional health. I know there is International Men’s Day but that seems more about reminding men about how to become better parts of society than about watching their health. I wonder if I am the only one who’s just heard about Men’s Health Month, is it a new development or has there been limited awareness about it before now? I am also not quite sure what the origin of this observance is, either way, it’s good to know that there is an opportunity to emphasise men’s unique health needs.
The aim of Men’s Health Month, observed in June of every year, is to raise awareness about health issues affecting men and boys whilst encouraging them to take a more active role in maintaining and improving their health. Men, like women, have unique health needs which deserve special attention especially as one begins to age. We all say health is wealth but I believe it is only when we begin to grow older that we understand exactly what this means. Sometime between the late 20s and early 30’s, and then 40’s, the average man realises that he is no longer Superman. Ironically, health conditions are no longer peculiar to older people now as many young people also experience health issues that were previously associated with older people. Let’s delve into some health issues that men should be mindful of.
Cardiovascular Issues: I cannot count how many times I have heard about a man who just slumped and died, or died in his sleep, or had a stroke. There have been many men, seemingly going about their daily lives, who have experienced a cardiac event. Some were even in the process of keeping fit: jogging, running, or exercising at the gym. Heart disease is a leading cause of death among men, especially black men. I read a report that stated that black men have a 70% higher risk of heart failure compared with white men. Scary isn’t it? Dear brothers, how often do you check your blood pressure? Have you been diagnosed with a cardiac issue or are you borderline hypertensive? Has a doctor prescribed blood pressure medication for you and do you actively use it? Are you watching your weight and keeping active?
Prostate Issues: every man has a prostate gland, a walnut-sized organ located under the bladder. The prostate is important in sexual reproduction as it helps men produce semen which transports sperm during ejaculation. As men age, the prostate begins to enlarge and this can present a problem in the future. When an enlarged prostate blocks the urethra, it can affect the urinary system which negatively impacts the ability to urinate. Prostate cancer is also another potential health risk. It’s been recommended that men over 40 must do a prostate exam annually. This could be a digital rectal exam which is a physical check of the prostate or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test which is done by testing a blood sample.
Testicular Issues: the testicles (also known jocularly as “balls” or “nuts”) are two small organs found in the scrotum that produce sperm in men. They are also responsible for producing testosterone. Men are usually advised to ensure that they wear loose clothing to enable their balls to remain cool because excessive heat can affect sperm production. Men can develop testicular cysts or even testicular cancer (more prominent in younger men) for a variety of reasons so ensuring testicular health is important. Every man must regularly feel his balls as a preventive measure: does it look like they are changing in size? (one testicle is usually larger than the other), does it seem like there’s a growth on one or both of the testicles? Any changes must be immediately reported to a urologist for examination.
Diabetes: yet another disease that is more prevalent amongst black people and from a few articles that I have read, no prizes for guessing it is most likely linked to the type of food that we eat. There are different types of diabetes but the most prominent one is Type II diabetes which affects how the body processes blood sugar. Identifying one’s risk factors, watching out for symptoms, and seeking medical intervention early on are very important in addressing this.
Sexual Health: sex is a great part of the human experience designed for reproduction and pleasure, however, some men are wont to indulge in it indiscriminately. This can expose one to sexually transmitted infections which if not detected and treated on time, can lead to greater issues such as impotence. Erectile dysfunction is also another issue that has become more widespread these days but not a lot of people talk about it. There are many reasons why some men experience it but admitting early and seeking help can hopefully address it.
Mental Health: this is one health issue that men are least likely to seek help about. Men are wired and have been conditioned to always be “the stronger one”, so when many men go through life issues, they find it hard to confide in others or seek help. This can ultimately affect their mental health. No man is an island and no one can do life by himself. Every man should have a group of other men they can be real with. It could even be just one person but having the opportunity to share your struggles in a nonjudgmental way is very important. Men should feel free to confide in one another whilst also being available to help others. And when interventions from the brothers can no longer help with specific issues, men should seek professional help.
Prevention is better than cure and if there is any message that men should hear this month, it is to be proactive regarding any health issue no matter how trivial it may seem. Getting and keeping fit is a good first step. As we get older, keeping active may be a challenge due to many reasons but as little as taking consistent daily walks can make a difference in our overall physical state. Watching what we eat is also key as it impacts greatly on our bodies. Knowing your numbers (weight, body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar level, etc ) is another good step. Comprehensive annual health checks are the crown to detect any potential issues across the body that may not be immediately obvious.
Dear brothers, remember to put yourself first sometimes. Dear sisters, remember to support your men and play a great part in ensuring that they manage their health. Dear people, be there for others and hopefully, others will be there for you when you need it. As always, this is the way I see things today.
