Prosperity Life

What is Men’s Health Week?

International Men’s Health Week (IMHW) is an international week that is celebrated the week preceding and including Father’s Day to focus on issues surrounding men’s health. The movement started at international level in 2002. A decision was made that awareness periods had to be coordinated around the globe.

Prevalent men’s health issues

One can sometimes see observers of the event wearing a blue ribbon as a symbol of their support in the fight against prostate cancer. However, problems stretch much farther than that of commonly recognized ailments. Physicians and activists mark IMHW with awareness campaigns focussing on diabetes, osteoporosis, family health, workplace accidents, and men’s higher likelihood of suicide or being a victim of homicide.

Men’s health in Namibia

Lung cancer and prostate cancer are predominant in Namibian men. Lung cancer is moslty caused by smoking and the best way to reduce your risk is to quit. There are many smoking cessation aids and groups which you can find with a simple internet search. The prostate gland is a small gland located behind and below the bladder of men. It might enlarge with age. However, what you think of as the occasional difficulty in urinating might be a sign of cancer so go for your checks every year.

Additionally it has been found that while don’t prioritise health the begin with they are also prone to have misinformation about HIV.

10 Health Checks Every Man Must Do Today

1. Monitor Your Mood
Studies and common observation show that men are less likely to report any symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. For mild to moderate depression all that may be needed is regular exericse.

2. Check Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is known as the ‘silent killer’. Knowing your numbers could save your life. The only way of knowing whether you’re affected is to be tested every three years after the age of 40, or yearly if your blood pressure is high or someone in your family has high blood pressure.

3. Get Your Eyes Tested
Have regular eye checks, especially if anyone in your family suffers from glaucoma.

4. Scan Your Body For Skin Cancer
Check your moles regularly and see your GP straight away if there are any changes in size, shape or colour.

5. Measure Your Cholesterol
Another silent killer. Even if you are fit and (otherwise) healthy you may have hereditary high cholesterol.

6. Know Your Waist Size
It’s all about the numbers. Waist size is directly linked to disease as belly fat is the ‘dangerous’ fat as it sits around your organs. Losing just 4 cm from your waist will slash your risk of early death by 60%.

7. Test For Diabetes
Diabetes can cause a variety of complications. One of them being blindness. Obesity is by far the biggest trigger for type two diabetes.

8. Beware of Bowel Cancer
You can cut your risk by reducing alcohol and red and processed meats consumption.

9. Be Prepared For Prostate Cancer
It’s advisable to get your prostate checked regularly. The intervals should become more frequent as you age.

10. Testicular Cancer Check
If you suffered from an undescended testicle as a boy or a member of your family has had testicular cancer you should be on the lookout for swelling, lumps or texture changes.

How you can spread awareness

To help with spreading awareness you can wear blue for men’s health. The Friday of IMHW has officially been named “wear blue day.” Organizations and individuals can host a wear blue day to raise awareness and money for education about men’s medical needs. This includes men’s need to get regular check ups, testicular cancer education, prostate cancer education, or other health issues that affect men. (Cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, gout, and more.) The whole point of the week is to raise awareness about the importance of male health and to encourage men to live longer and healthier lives.

There has even been a hashtag growing over the years #ShowUsYourBlue. Use it on social media and start a conversation!

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