Could being a tough guy become a fatal mistake?
Women live longer than men all over the world. In the United StatesMen live about 76 years, while women live up to 81 years.
Experts have been monitoring this trend for decades. Even with the decline in infectious diseases, other fatal health conditions, such as heart disease, affected men more than women.
So what happens?
There was a belief that men died more often than women, but they were generally healthier before they died. Women disproportionately suffer from non-fatal chronic conditions such as arthritis and depression.
But researchers found that this is not the case. It’s more about life span Social and behavioral differences Between the sexes.
“It’s about biology and behaviour. Men have biological vulnerabilities.” Dr. David Shustermanboard-certified urologist, founder of UroLongevity and a modern urologist, told The Post. “But the biggest problem is that men tend to practice reactive medicine. They wait until something is clearly wrong.”
Guys – is it manly to still be sick?
that Online survey from the Cleveland Clinic It showed that 72% of men would rather do household chores like cleaning the bathroom than go to the doctor. But why the reluctance?
Research shows Men are anxious about the visit itself and about a possible diagnosis, and prefer to try home remedies or fix the problem themselves first.
But perhaps most surprising is that they regard health assistance as weak.
One 49-year-old participant said: “As a man, I sometimes feel that seeking health care is a sign of weakness, which makes me more skeptical and hesitant to go.”
A survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic showed that 41% of men were told when they were children that men do not complain of health problems.
This ridiculous belief is so ingrained that it has real consequences — including that men are more so 30% less likely For preventive care compared to women.
“Ignoring symptoms is not tough, it is delaying diagnosis.”
Dr. David Shusterman
Man arrives and sees close!
Men are at early risk of cardiovascular disease, increased abdominal visceral fat, decreased metabolism, and hormonal changes that can affect muscle, energy, sexual function, and weight, Shusterman said. These hormonal changes include a gradual decline in testosterone production starting at age 35.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story – these issues may be common, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything about it.
Shusterman says the habit that frustrates him most is that men “naturalize” problems that can be addressed.
“They say, ‘I’m just getting older,’” he said. “Aging is real, but many of these changes are measurable and treatable.” The best way to know whether or not there is something worth worrying about is to talk to your doctor.
For example, erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of vascular disease. Urinary problems can indicate an enlarged prostate or bladder dysfunction. Fatigue can reflect sleep apnea, metabolic disease, low testosterone, or risk of cardiovascular disease.
He said: “Ignoring symptoms is not toughness, but rather delays diagnosis.” “My philosophy is that aging must be measured, understood and dealt with early. Men fall behind when they ignore the early signs.”
Do not wait for the wife to intervene
One of the main reasons why men die earlier than women is because they are less socially connected, according to a report by Harvard Medical School. Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and premature death, according to the report. Global Health Organization.
Having a partner makes a big difference. “The husband or partner may notice changes that the man ignores,” Schusterman explained. “Partners often push men to get an evaluation.”
Married men tend to live together Two years longer than their unmarried counterparts. But this does not mean that single men are doomed.
“Single men can do very well if they create structure around their health,” Shusterman said. “The key is not marital status alone. The key is accountability, routine testing, and not waiting for a crisis.”
How to bridge the gap
The first step, Schusterman said, is to stop treating health as an emergency response system. This means staying ahead of problems and seeing your doctor regularly. Stay up to date on the latest tests and screenings so you can catch any problems early.
He recommends that men see their doctors to:
- Annual physical
- Monitor blood pressure
- Cholesterol and diabetes screening
- Prostate assessment where appropriate
- Testing for testosterone and hormones when symptoms appear
- Sleep apnea screening
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Track your body composition
- Colon cancer screening
- Aggressive weight management and metabolic health
The goal is more than just increasing the time you live, but also increasing the quality of life.
“More good years in which a man is physically strong, sexually active, mentally sharp and metabolically healthy,” he said.