Continued from last month’s newsletter (Highlight on Men’s Health, part 1), this is the conclusion of the most common health risks men face today, and how to stay healthy. Click here to read last month’s issue.

The fourth most common form of disease for men is cerebrovascular disease. The term cerebrovascular describes blood flow to the brain. Often, statistics for cerebrovascular disease are captured under heart disease since blood vessels and arteries are involved and many of the risk factors are the same for both. However, immerging studies of brain conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are starting to link existing cerebrovascular disease to increased risk of developing a degenerative brain disease. Stroke can be defined as an abrupt interruption of constant blood flow to the brain that causes loss of neurological function.

There are several different ways a stroke can occur. The main categories used to identify the type of stroke include ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attack. During an ischemic stroke, one of the main arteries to the brain becomes partially or completely blocked. The blockage can be either a blood clot or plaque. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by failure of a blood vessel in the brain. Blood flow is not only interrupted, but bleeding in or around the brain causes pressure inside the skull which usually requires surgery to relieve. According to a report written by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, “A hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by hypertension, rupture of an aneurysm or vascular malformation, or as a complication of anti-coagulation medication.”

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a mini-stroke. There is usually no permanent brain damage because the blockage is temporary. Symptoms can be mild such as dizziness and loss of balance, but more serious symptoms may include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion and trouble speaking or understanding, trouble seeing out of one or both eyes, and a severe headache with no known cause. Symptoms may persist from only a few minutes to several days.

Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure and other forms of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, heavy drinking, smoking, use of illicit drugs, and inactivity. There is also some indication that having cancer or being a cancer survivor increases your risk of stroke due to blood coagulation associated with cancer; further research on this is being conducted.

Reduce your risk of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease by removing or limiting processed foods, eliminate refined sugars and artificial sweeteners, limit alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and increase your activity level.

Believe it or not, men are more prone than women to be seriously injured or die in an accident. That is to say, more men are involved in accidents than women. The reasons for this are probably obvious to most. Men typically take more risks than women. Unintentional injuries could happen just about anywhere but more commonly occur while driving, likely too fast or impaired, may result from a fire, or complications of a fall. Included in the statistics for injury or death from accidents is the fact that men are less likely to seek medical attention immediately, if at all; they also may be less likely to take prescribed medication or follow the doctor’s recommendation for treatment.

Alcohol plays a major role in the occurrences and severity of accidents. Men tend to drink more alcohol, and more often, than women which is one of the reasons that unintentional injuries are on the list for health risks for men. Alcohol lowers inhibition making one more likely to take a risk, and alcohol also slows reaction time and coordination which increases risk for injury.

Statistically, more men than women die from accidental poisoning from both prescription and illicit drugs. Also, more men than women die annually from firearms. Unfortunately, over half of the deaths attributed to firearms is from suicide. The rate of death by homicide is much lower.

The last health risk for men highlighted here is intentional harm. The National Vital Statistics Report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) entitled Deaths: Final Data for 2009 shows that 4 times more men than women died from suicide. Part of the reason for the greater number of male deaths due to suicide is that men are simply more successful at it. More women than men attempt suicide, but men tend to choose more deadly methods, such as firearms.

Many of the reasons that attribute to suicide attempts are depression, abuse of alcohol or drugs, and feeling helpless or hopeless following a recent life crisis. Male depression is often unrecognized and goes untreated. It is important to be open with your doctor, as well as your family when life becomes overwhelming. It is also important to learn how to manage stress.

The key to lowering your risk factors for disease is to foster a love of life. This includes eating healthy, wholesome food while avoiding the chemically altered, wrapped in plastic, and filled with ingredients too difficult to pronounce, interacting with nature (including pets), getting your body moving (doing something you love), and getting a good night’s sleep. All of these things will help you better handle stress but there are additional things that you can do, as well. Breathing exercises, meditation, and aerobic or strength building exercises will help you to relax and feel more calm. Herbs such as rhodiola, ashwaganda, and holy basil are helpful to take during stressful times because they are adaptogens. Adaptogens have the unique ability to meet the body’s needs by working with your body to bring it into balance.

Combining these things with a positive outlook on life will enable you to live life to its fullest potential, with energy and stamina to fulfill your goals and realize your dreams. Go out and enjoy life!

References

Cerebrovascular Disease. (2005, December). Retrieved from American Association of Neurological Surgeons: www.aans.org/PatientInformation/ConditionsandTreatments/CerebrovascularDisease.aspx

Harrison, P. (2012, November 12). Cancer Boosts Stroke Risk. Retrieved from Medscape: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/774283

Hoffman, M. M. (2008, September 10). 6 Top Health Threats to Men. Retrieved from WebMD: www.webmd.com/men/features/6-top-health-threats-men

Kochanek, K. D., Jiaquan, X., Murphy, S. L., Minino, A. M., & Kung, H.-C. (2011, December 29). Deaths: Final Data for 2009. Retrieved from National Vital Statistics Report: www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr60/nvsr60_03.pdf

Staff, M. C. (2015, October 25). Symptoms. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/dxc-20117265

Top 10 Causes of Death In Men. (n.d.). Retrieved from Illinois Department of Public Health: www.idph.state.il.us/meshealth/healthtreats.htm#3