The most prominent of them is postponing the treatment of snoring and ignoring the problems of sexual weakness and abdominal obesity
Riyadh: Dr. Hassan Mohamed Sandakji
According to the results of a number of medical reviews and statistical studies, there are a large number of health errors that some people may fall into. But 6 of them remain common among some men, who may not realize their importance, although the interest in removing them can prevent the development of a number of important diseases during later stages of life.
Here are the errors…
Snoring and impotence
1- Postponing the treatment of snoring. Men are more likely to snore, compared to women. Snoring occurs when breathing air flows through lax tissues and narrowed breathing passages, causing them to vibrate and produce an abnormal sound. In addition to that snoring is annoying to the life partner, it may be the result of a health problem that requires treatment, such as; Obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, sinus infections, allergic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, “lying” sleeping, physical exhaustion, lack of sleep for a while, or taking hypnotic and sedative medications .
Snoring also has unpleasant consequences, such as daytime drowsiness and having to sleep during the day, feelings of depression or recurrent anger, difficulty concentrating, morning headaches, and an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
On the other hand, there are many medical solutions for snoring, but the start remains from a visit to the doctor. Mayo Clinic doctors say: “To diagnose your condition, your doctor will review your symptoms, signs, and medical history. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination. Your doctor may ask your partner some questions regarding snoring, to help assess the severity of the problem. Your doctor may order types of radiographs to check the structure of your airway and any disorders in it. He may also conduct a sleep study.
Reducing weight, sleeping on one side, changing the type of pillows, stopping smoking, or completing the treatment of nasal congestion and allergies can help stop snoring. Several medical devices are also available, which can reduce annoying snoring in some, including the Oral Appliance, which is suitable for the shape of the teeth, which, when worn in the mouth, helps improve the location of the jaw, tongue and soft palate, to keep the air passage open. Also, a mask can be worn over the nose or mouth while sleeping. CPAP, which directs pressurized air (from a small bedside pump) into the airway to keep it open during sleep. There are also effective surgical treatments for some cases.
2. Ignore ED. The shyness of presenting the problem of ED to the doctor, is the biggest reason for its persistence in men. Impotence is very common, says the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). You may find it embarrassing and difficult to talk to a doctor regarding ED, but urologists are trained to talk to people regarding many types of sexual problems. Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Mayo Clinic doctors say: “If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence, and contribute to relationship problems. It may be an indication of an underlying condition that needs treatment.” Such as diseases of the heart, arteries, glands, nerves, urinary and reproductive systems.
In many cases, erectile dysfunction occurs as a result of a physical cause related to the blood vessels that feed the penis, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Some types of medication may also cause this, such as antidepressants, antihistamines for allergies, medications for high blood pressure, pain relievers, or prostate medications. In addition to a number of diseases in the nervous system, depression, anxiety and relationship problems with a life partner, as well as low testosterone.
A medical exam, and answering some questions, is all a doctor needs to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend treatment in most cases. There are cases that require blood analyzes and ultrasound examinations to assess blood flow to the penis.
The first thing the doctor will do is to make sure that any conditions that might be causing or exacerbating a person’s erectile dysfunction are treated. Therefore, depending on the cause and severity of erectile dysfunction and any underlying conditions, several treatment options are available. These include oral medications, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). They are drugs that increase blood flow to the organ to stimulate an erection in response to sexual stimulation. That is, they are drugs that do not lead to an erection automatically. Other drug options and surgical options are also available.
Abdominal obesity
3. Keep belly fat. Abdominal obesity in men is one of the health problems that should be quickly eliminated. And the sooner a man gets rid of them, the easier it is. And Mayo Clinic doctors say: “Belly fat is no joke. Excess weight in the abdominal area can be dangerous. Belly fat is the most dangerous fat. Learn regarding the causes of belly fat, the health risks it causes for men, and what you can do to lose extra weight.
Regardless of the amount of total body weight in kilograms, an increase in the amount of fat in the abdomen increases the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, colorectal cancer, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and other health disorders.
It is very easy for a person to know whether he has a clear increase in abdominal fat or not, by measuring the waist circumference while standing. By placing a tape measure around the exposed abdomen, directly above the hip bone, and making it fit properly around the abdomen, without pulling and pushing it into the skin. For men, a waist measurement of more than 102 centimeters indicates an unhealthy accumulation of fat in the abdomen and an increased risk of health complications.
There are two ways, which go hand in hand, to get rid of belly fat: a healthy diet, and daily physical exercise. As for abdominal muscle exercises, just practicing them will not rid a person of belly fat.
Mayo Clinic doctors point out the fact that: “Loss of belly fat requires effort and patience. To lose excess fat and prevent it from coming back, make it your goal to lose weight slowly and steadily. Consult your doctor to help you get started and stay on track.”
4. Lack of periodic follow-up. “Most men need to pay more attention to their health,” the NIH reports. Compared with women, men are more likely to postpone regular checkups and medical care. Even if you feel well, you should still see your doctor, for regular checkups. The purpose of these visits is…
Performing the necessary tests to detect common and easy-to-find medical problems.
Assessing how likely you are to have medical problems in the future.
Encouraging your practice of healthy lifestyle and behavior in your daily life.
Update your vaccinations.
This is the best way to avoid health problems in the future. For example, the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly, at least once every two years. You may not have any symptoms of high blood sugar and high cholesterol in the early stages. Simple blood tests can check for these conditions. Therefore, it is generally worthwhile to have a cholesterol and fat analysis done once every 5 years, and a sugar test every two years at least. All adults should also have one test for hepatitis C.
Also, it is worth going to the dentist once or twice a year for an examination and cleaning. And an eye examination every two years at least.
Skin and bladder
5. Poor skin care. The American Academy of Dermatology reports: “Men are used to keeping skin care simple. But for healthier, younger-looking skin, and to prevent skin diseases, it is worth creating a daily skincare routine and knowing how.”
“Dermatologists recommend the following tips…
The choice of skin care products depends on your skin type.
Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser and lukewarm water. And avoid regular bar soap, which often contain harsh ingredients that can dry out the skin.
If you suffer from razor burn or ingrown hairs, use a single or double razor blade instead of multi-blade razors. Before shaving, wet your skin and hair to soften them. Use a moisturizing shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth. And change the blade following 5 to 7 shaves, to reduce irritation.
Apply skin moisturizer to your face and body immediately following showering, bathing or shaving, that is, while the skin is still damp.
Check your skin regularly. New spots or moles that itch, bleed, or change color are often early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any suspicious spots, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
Put on sunscreen before going outdoors.
6. Neglecting bladder health. The NIA reports, “Men rarely talk regarding bladder health, but everyone is affected by it. With age, the bladder changes. Its usually elastic tissues may become stiffer and less stretchy. As a result, your bladder can’t hold as much urine as it used to, and it may make you go to the bathroom more often. The pelvic floor muscles may also weaken, making it difficult to completely empty the bladder and urine leakage.” She presented several steps that men take to prevent these future problems, which are…
Try to urinate at least once every 3 to 4 hours. Holding urine in the bladder for a long time can weaken the bladder muscles and increase the likelihood of developing a bladder infection.
Be in a comfortable position while urinating, so that the relaxation of the muscles around the bladder facilitates its emptying.
Take enough time to empty the bladder completely when urinating, because speeding up when urinating does not allow the bladder to be completely emptied. If urine remains in the bladder for too long, it may increase the likelihood of developing a bladder infection.
Urinate shortly following sex to reduce the risk of infection.
Do daily pelvic floor muscle-strengthening exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, to reduce the possibility of urine being trapped in the bladder, prevent urine leakage when sneezing or coughing, and avoid infections by strengthening the muscles that help empty the bladder.
Wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear to help dry the area around the urethra. Tight nylon underwear can trap moisture and help bacteria grow.
Drink enough water so that you need to urinate every few hours. And if you have a chronic disease, ask your doctor how much fluid is healthy for you.
