No. 1 — Heart disease
Heart disease is the greatest health threat to men in the United
States today. It was responsible for the deaths of nearly
345,000 men in the year 2000. According to the American Heart
Association, men have a greater risk of heart disease and
have heart attacks much earlier in life than women do.
All men need to take this disease seriously and understand
that this number one killer can often be prevented. The following
healthy habits can reduce your risk of heart attack:
- Not smoking
- Exercising
- Eating a healthy diet
- Eating less saturated fat and cholesterol
- Controlling your weight
- Talking with your health care professional about taking a daily
dose of aspirin
- Following the recommendations of your health care professional
- Heart-healthy foods: Weapons in the war on high cholesterol
- Supplements for heart health
- Aspirin: From pain relief
to preventive medicine
No. 2 — Cancer
In 2000, cancer killed about 286,000 men in the United
States. According to the American Cancer
Society (ACS), the most common
cause of cancer death for men is lung
cancer, and 90 percent of these deaths are linked to cigarette
smoking.
Prostate
cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer
death among
men. The ACS
estimates that 189,000 men were diagnosed
with prostate cancer in 2002. About one-third of all cancer deaths are related to nutrition
or other controllable lifestyle factors. Do all you can to reduce
your risks:
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet
- Avoid excessive sun exposure
- Limit alcohol
- Have regular preventive health screenings
- Know your family medical history and review it with
your health care professional
No. 3 — Stroke
Nearly 65,000 men in the United States died of stroke
in the year 2000. Stroke is not only the number three
killer of men, it's
also one of the leading causes of disability in the United
States. High blood pressure, smoking, lack of exercise,
and a diet high
in fat and cholesterol are risk factors you can control.
Certain risk factors for stroke, such as family history,
age, sex
and race can't be controlled. Steps you can take to prevent stroke include:
- Don't smoke or use any tobacco product
- Know your risk factors
- Get your blood pressure checked.
If it's high, follow your health care professional's
recommendations.
- Lower your intake of cholesterol and saturated fat
- Eat a healthy diet
- Control diabetes
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Talk with your health care professional about taking
a daily dose of aspirin
No. 4 — Accidents (unintentional
injuries)
Accidents killed nearly 64,000 men in 2000. The leading cause
was motor vehicle crashes. About twice as many men (28,352)
as women (13,642) died in traffic accidents. To reduce your
chances of a fatal car crash:
- Use your seat belt
- Keep your speed down
- Don't drive while sleepy or under the influence of
drugs or alcohol
-
The second-leading cause of fatal injury to men was
poisoning—about
9,000 men died of poisoning in 2000. To reduce your
risk of poisoning:
- Monitor the air quality in your home
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected each
year
- Store household products in their original
containers
- Read and follow label instructions for
household products
- Turn on a light when giving or taking
medicine and follow label instructions
- Ventilate areas in which you use
chemical products
- Post the poison control number (800-222-1222)
by each telephone in your home
No. 5 — Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an overall term
for a group of chronic lung conditions including emphysema
and chronic bronchitis. The main cause of COPD is smoking,
and it's strongly associated with lung cancer, the number
one cause of cancer death in men.
In 2000, about 60,000 men in the United States died of COPD.
A smoker is ten times more likely to die of COPD than a nonsmoker.
The quality of life for someone with COPD diminishes as the
disease progresses—it becomes increasingly more difficult
to breathe and engage in physical activities. Eventually you
may only be able to breathe with oxygen or a ventilator.
To reduce your risk of dying of COPD, don't smoke.
No. 6 — Diabetes
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the way your body uses blood sugar
(glucose). Of the 17 million people in the United States who have diabetes,
almost 6 million don't know they have it. In 2000, nearly 70,000 people died
of diabetes and almost 32,000 of them were men.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure but may be preventable.
Many people first become aware of it only when they develop
one of its life-threatening complications. Advanced diabetes
can cause blindness, kidney disease and severe nerve damage.
People with diabetes are also two to four times more likely
to have heart disease and suffer from stroke. The most common
form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset
or noninsulin-dependent diabetes). This form of diabetes generally
develops after age 40 and is linked to obesity. Type 2 diabetes
is now occurring at younger ages.
To reduce your risk of developing the disease:
- Exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
To slow the progression of the disease:
- Exercise
- Eat a healthy diet
- Control your blood sugar
No. 7 — Pneumonia and influenza
Influenza and pneumonia killed almost 29,000 men in 2000. When
associated with other chronic health conditions, pneumonia
and influenza can be life-threatening. People with COPD, asthma,
heart disease, diabetes and conditions that suppress the immune
system are at high risk. Because both pneumonia and influenza
affect the lungs, smoking increases the danger of pneumonia
and influenza.
Your risk of pneumonia and influenza can be reduced by immunizations.
A yearly flu shot can be up to 90-percent effective in preventing
influenza in healthy adults. The vaccine can reduce your risk
of getting pneumonia by 60 percent to 70 percent. Stay healthy—get
those shots.
No. 8 — Suicide
Men commit suicide four times more often than women do. Men 65 and older have
the highest suicide rate. In 2000, about 24,000 men in the United States killed
themselves. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,
almost all men over 65 who kill themselves suffered from depression. Men are
more likely than women to use deadlier means—such as guns—when
they attempt suicide.
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Moodiness
- Social withdrawal
- Life crisis
- Personality change
- Depression
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Aggression
- Thoughts or comments about ending one's life
If you notice these feelings in yourself, talk with your health
care professional about your concern that you might harm yourself.
In an urgent situation, an emergency room or crisis center can
help. Friends or family members may notice these changes in
your behavior, even though you may attribute them to something
other than depression. Take their advice and seek help.
No. 9 — Kidney disease
Kidney disease killed nearly 18,000 men in 2000. According to the National
Kidney Foundation, more than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease
and more than 20 million others are at increased risk. More than 378,000 Americans
with kidney disease need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
To maintain good kidney function:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain your proper weight
- Don't smoke
- Get checked regularly for diabetes and high blood pressure
- Minimize analgesics
- Take medications only as directed
No. 10 — Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis killed about 17,000
men in the United States in 2000. According
to the American Liver
Foundation, alcoholic liver disease and
chronic hepatitis C are the leading causes of cirrhosis,
sending about
300,000 people
in the United States to the hospital each
year. Cirrhosis is the scarring that results when liver
tissue
is
destroyed by
infection, poison or disease. Cirrhosis
is
serious and irreversible. There's no cure for cirrhosis.
Diseases of the liver often
cause no symptoms and can be caused by hepatitis,
certain
inherited
diseases and alcoholism. Excessive drinking
can cause a condition known as fatty liver—liver
cells swollen with fat globules and water—and
can eventually lead to liver disease, cirrhosis and
liver failure.
The most effective treatment
for liver failure is a liver transplant. To reduce your risk:
- Don't drink alcohol to excess
- Be careful and take precautions when
using possibly hazardous chemical substances
- Practice safe sex
- Avoid illegal drugs
- Take medications only as directed
- Get a hepatitis B vaccination, and a hepatitis A vaccination
if you're at risk.
- If you develop viral hepatitis, remain under the care of your
health care professional until you've recovered.
Leading a healthy lifestyle, getting regular checkups and paying
attention to your environment can help you reduce your risk
factors for many of these conditions.
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