June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, which has been celebrated every June of the year since 1992 and founded by Men’s Health Network.
During this month several health providers and workers bring awareness to commonly overlooked health issues that men experience. With that, today your reliable McAllen pharmacists at Saenz Pharmacy will shed light on warning signs that men should look out for in regards to their health.
Listening to Your Body
According to menshealthmonth.org, men are dying an average of five years younger than women, mostly due to men being more reluctant to visit a health provider when they notice changes in their body.
Though there are physical changes that do not require immediate medical attention, there are others that men should not overlook and keep track of. The following is a list of warning signs that every man should pay attention to:
Urinary Habits
Getting up in the middle of the night to pee (or peeing more often as normal) along with a weak stream could be a sign of an enlarged prostate.
Pain or burning sensation could be a clear sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). If the burning sensation persists minutes after peeing, make sure to visit your health provider as soon as possible.
Tingling, Numbness, or Burning Sensation
Any sort of lack of sensation or burning in your extremities can often happen for daily activities like sitting too long or holding them upwards. However, this tingling happening frequently without apparent reason could be caused by circulation problems, and be early indicators for different health problems:
- Diabetes
- Anemia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Stroke
- Hypothyroidism
Skin Changes
Taking care of your skin is not only for aesthetics, but also to make sure there aren’t signs of possible health issues.
Any changes in your moles or birthmarks like bleeding, sudden enlargement, or color change should be seen by a dermatologist. These changes could be an early sign of skin cancer or a malignant melanoma.
Chest Pain
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American men and is the most common symptom of a heart attack. Pain that can be described as feeling pressure, squeezing or fullness in the chest, could be an indication of heart issues.
Though pain in the chest area can be caused by common occurrences like gas, a constant pain along with numbness, tingling, or nausea, could be enough reason to visit the emergency room.
Genital Area Changes
While it may be embarrassing for many, men taking care of their genitals can be life-saving. Men tend to hide symptoms that they may feel are shameful like erectile dysfunction (ED), but these symptoms can be signs for bigger health problems down the line.
The same way ED could be an early pointer for diabetes, any changes in the testicles could be a hint of cancer or injury. If there is redness, lumping, or swelling in the testicles, it is necessary to visit your health provider.
Feelings of Hopelessness, Tiredness, or Irritability
Though society tends to teach men to hide their emotions, certain constant emotions could be evidence of a worse ailment.
Finding yourself without any motivation to take on your favorite hobbies, jumping at small sounds or movements, feeling constantly irritable or out of patience, along with a permeating exhaustion, could be signs of depression and/or anxiety.
These are symptoms difficult to catch for everyone, yet men more often tend to ignore them. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men. In 2019, men died by suicide almost four times more frequently than women.
Get All Of Your Health Questions Answered when you visit Saenz Pharmacy
Health is important for everyone, and treating your symptoms is no sign of weakness. Taking care of your body and strengthening your health is of great importance for every man.
At Saenz Pharmacy, we care about your health and our trained staff can give you the right guidance you need.