By Bro Maurice Dola
Feel like there’s an elephant sitting on your chest? It could be heartburn…or heart disease…………
Men are infamous for avoiding the doctor. More often than not they are too strong, too busy, or too scared to man up and face the person who can help them live a longer, more fulfilling life, the doctor. But when it comes to seemingly minor symptoms, trying to ignore them could set you up for major troubles down the road.
Men are nearly 25% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past year. So it’s no surprise they’re at a much greater risk of being hospitalised for serious health threats such as congestive heart failure and the long-term complications of diabetes.
Men prefer the “ignorance is bliss” approach to health. They like to be in control, and if they go to a physician, there is a chance they may receive information or feedback that is outside their control so they ignore symptoms hoping they will go away. But in this case, what you don’t know can actually kill you. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease don’t strike like a heart attack or stroke. They usually begin with a whimper—seemingly ordinary symptoms that can be mistaken for less threatening culprits.
TREAT YOUR BODY WITH THE SAME REVERENCE YOU SHOW YOUR CAR
Good health requires routine maintenance no different than what you would have done on your car. If you treat your health with that same level of care, your chances of an optimal quality of life increase dramatically.
Men over 40 should meet with their physician at least once per year, and more frequently if they have a chronic disease but getting to the doctor is just the first step. Doctors are not mind readers. The more information that a patient can provide, the better opportunity the doctor has of uncovering a health issue that might be life altering.
SIX SYMPTOMS TO THINK ABOUT
Excessive or loud snoring easily attributed to being a dude, being overly tired or being drunk Could be a sign of sleep apnea
If you wake up tired after a full night’s rest or your partner complains about you snoring loud at night, you could have sleep apnea. It involves either snoring all night long at a low volume level or intermittent snoring that’s very loud. When you have sleep apnea, you are decreasing the amount of oxygen in the body. That can put a lot of stress on vital organs but specifically the heart, which increases the risk of congestive heart failure.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Erectile dysfunction is easily attributed to a normal part of aging, too much alcohol or fatigue. No. It Could be a sign of heart disease. Being unable to achieve or maintain an erection has obvious sexual health implications, but Erectile Dysfunction (ED) could also be an early indicator for serious heart problems. It is important not to automatically throw a Viagra or Cialis at a man who is experiencing erectile dysfunction, because it could be a warning sign of heart disease. Being unable to get an erection is a matter of disruption of blood flow to the arteries of the penis, which are often the first to become clogged with plaque in the early stages of heart disease. Erectile Dysfunction could also be a side effect of certain medication.
CHEST PAIN, SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Easily attributed to heartburn or being out of shape, could be a sign of heart disease
As plaque builds up in the arteries of the heart, the body’s most important muscle can’t get the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function properly. The result is chest pain-Angina and breathing difficulties, which are warning signs of heart disease. Very often people mistake chest pain for heartburn, blaming it on spicy food, thinking everything will be fine
BEWARE: To tell the difference, pay attention to the pain itself. Heartburn causes a sharp pain with a burning sensation, Angina involves more of a pressure sensation, like an elephant is sitting on your chest
UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS
This is easily attributed to normal weight fluctuation and stress. Be careful! It
Could be a sign of Cancer, thyroid disease, or a nutrient deficiency Many men would rejoice after losing several pounds off the alcohol gut. But if you haven’t made any lifestyle changes and experience 10 to 15 kilos of weight loss in a fairly short period of time, something more serious could be at play. Unintended weight loss is the key element here. If you haven’t changed anything and suddenly your pants don’t fit, then you should see a doctor.
FREQUENT URINATION
This trend also attributed to a serious coffee habit, could be a sign of diabetes or enlarged prostate. When sugar builds up in the blood as a result of diabetes, your body flushes out the excess through the urine, causing more frequent trips to the bathroom. An enlarged prostate blocks the flow of urine and makes it more difficult to empty the bladder, which also causes more frequent bathroom trips. There will always be some residual urine in the bladder. But it should be a nominal amount, not enough to trigger you to return 20 minutes later to use the bathroom
BLACK STOOLS
Easily attributed to eating dark-coloured foods, could be a sign of Ulcer, colon cancer. When blood mixes with faeces, it turns black, signaling there is bleeding happening in the gastrointestinal tract somewhere between the mouth and the large intestine. You should never ignore black stools. It could be a blood vessel that has ruptured. It could be an ulcer that’s bleeding in the stomach or the small intestine. Or it could be a sign of colon cancer.