What Health Issues Are Men Particularly Susceptible To?

Physical, mental, and social health is a vital part of everyone’s life, but we deal with these challenges differently. For example, men ages 15-65 are far less likely to pursue preventive health care and more likely to go to their doctor only when something’s wrong.

A lot of changes happen in men over the decades, and there are issues that men are more likely to deal with as well as issues unique to men that need to be addressed before they become problematic. 

Men living in the Beverly Hills, California, area trying to cope with health issues unique to them can get help from Dr. Shawn Veiseh and our dedicated medical staff.

Let’s explore these issues by looking at how men change medically as they get older and what things they’re likely to struggle with.

Changes in men as they age

The issues men deal with over time can be broken down into decades:

20s

In this decade, men deal with lifestyle issues like drinking and smoking, STD testing, developing eating habits that can lead to problems as they age, and a higher risk of injury from physical activity.

30s

In their 30s, men face managing stress, controlling weight, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure, as well as many of the problems from the previous decade.

40s

Once men hit their 40s, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) become bigger concerns, as well as risks of diabetes and colon cancer.

50s

Several types of cancer become higher risks around this age, prostate problems are more prominent, and it becomes harder to control weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

60s

Sight and hearing loss become greater risks, as well as cardiovascular problems and an increase in fall risk as they near their 70s. 

70s and older

By this time in a man’s life, the immune system gets weaker, bone density becomes a concern, and fall risk increases depending on the level of physical activity.

Vaccines are important at any age, but things like shingles and specific types of flu and COVID-19 vaccines are more of a concern for men 65 and older.

Common medical issues in men

Here are some of the medical issues men are most likely to struggle with:

Cardiovascular disease

This affects millions of people including nearly half of all American adults, with a range of issues including heart disease and stroke, which are the leading causes of death in men. 

Colon cancer

Colon cancer affects millions of people, is becoming more common in younger men, and can present a greater risk in both sexes if there’s a family history.

Skin cancer

Everyone is at risk for skin cancer if they’re overexposed to UV rays, but men are less likely to properly sunscreen themselves, increasing their risk of melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Diabetes

Millions of people struggle with this illness undiagnosed, and it affects over half a billion people globally, including millions of men. Left untreated, it can affect almost every part of your body, causing damage to your skin, eyes, liver, kidneys, and digestive tract, and increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)

This is a condition only men will deal with, as the prostate is responsible for nourishing sperm and producing fluid to carry it out as they ejaculate. This and prostate cancer start becoming more of a problem in the late 40s and early 50s.

Testicular cancer

This is another uniquely male problem, and the most common cancer in younger men (15-35), but it’s very treatable if caught early.

Any of these conditions can be managed if caught early enough, and we have options to help. If you’re a man struggling with health problems, make an appointment with Dr. Veiseh and our team today by calling our office or scheduling a visit online to get the treatment you need.