15 Health Issues Men Should Be Aware of As They Age

As we age, our health needs change but for men, this can be a difficult topic to discuss. Health issues are always a hot topic as most men are taught to stay quiet when something feels wrong, to ‘tough it out’. The thing is, not everyone has the ability to just tough it out especially if they need medical help.

Some issues become more common in men as they age, and prevention is one of the most important things to focus on. Being informed is the first step to taking control of your health, and staying active and strong is only a part of it. So, here are fifteen health issues every man should be aware of as they age.

1. Hair loss

Male pattern baldness is a very common and yet very difficult condition to deal with. It’s one of the earliest and most visible signs of aging for many men. Male pattern baldness typically starts with a receding hairline, and thinning at the crown of the head. This is a condition caused by genetics and hormones, affecting around 50% of all men by the time they turn 50. Hair loss may not necessarily affect physical health (though there are some conditions that can cause fall out), it does affect mental health, and a FUE hair transplant can make all the difference. The right treatments can stave off hair loss for as long as possible, and these are usually minimally invasive procedures. The results can be more natural looking, and because your hair is your own, it’ll grow and behave like the rest of your hair on your head. If hair loss is something you’re experiencing and it’s bothering you, get some help from your healthcare provider.

2. Heart disease

Are you taking care of your heart? How much exercise are you doing? Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in their 40s and above. It doesn’t always show early warning signs but it can build silently over the years. As men get older, arteries can and do become narrowed and they can become clogged with built up plaque. You can do better with your heart health, however, if you are aware of your risk factors early. It takes years for heart disease to build up, but if you deal with high blood pressure, you’re a smoker, you have a poor diet and you don’t exercise, you’re at higher risk. This can all be turned around by eating a diet rich in good food, giving up smoking and exercising regularly. It’s not always easy to do this but with the support of your healthcare provider, it can be something you avoid.

3. High blood pressure

It’s something that often goes unnoticed because high blood pressure doesn’t have a particularly clear list of symptoms! Hypertension – or high blood pressure – can damage your heart, kidneys, artery and brain over time. It’s known as a silent killer for a good reason and it’s something that tends to rise with age. Many men don’t even realise that they have high blood pressure, and many won’t get checked for it. The best thing to do is get your blood pressure measured at least once a year, reduce salt in your diet and stay as active as possible. If your blood pressure rises too high, your doctor may be able to recommend medication alongside healthy lifestyle changes.

4. Type 2 diabetes

Unlike Type 1, which is something people are born with, Type 2 diabetes happens when your body cannot produce insulin properly. If you find yourself dealing with increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision, then it’s important to get checked with your doctor. Blood sugar levels should stay relatively normal but when life gets in the way, things can change. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious issues including kidney failure and nerve damage. It’s often a preventable condition, however, which becomes more manageable with better eating and lowering your weight to more manageable levels. 

5. Issues with your prostate

As only men have a prostate, it’s something that should concern all men! The prostate is a small gland and it plays a heavy hitting role in male reproduction. As men age, the prostate can enlarge and this is known as a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. When symptoms of BPH are ignored, or brushed over, men are at a bigger risk of prostate cancer. Have you noticed you’re urinating at night? You’re dealing with a weak urine flow? Well, you need to get your prostate levels checked and the prostate gland itself examined. Regular prostate screenings don’t usually start until after age 50 but that doesn’t mean that you’re exempt from prostate issues before this time.

6. Low testosterone

As men age, testosterone levels will naturally fall and this is especially common in men over 40. Low testosterone is usually obvious in low energy or fatigue, decreased muscle mass, reduced sex drive and trouble sleeping. If you notice these symptoms are starting to affect your daily life, all you need is a simple blood test and that can help with checking your hormone levels. From here, you can seek the help of your doctor and get additional help and therapies.

7. Erectile dysfunction

The reason men should be aware of this being a problem? No man wants to get to 40 and find that he’s struggling to keep himself healthy in the bedroom. You want to maintain an erection to enjoy a healthy sex life, and if you notice a difficulty or two in your performance, then you could find that issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and even heart disease are the cause. Erectile dysfunction is not just about your sexual performance, as there could be an issue with poor blood flow or nerve function. Lifestyle changes and medication can help, but so can counseling if the issue is psychosomatic.

1. Obesity

The ‘middle aged spread’ is a very real complaint among older men. Think the beer barrel belly. Excess weight increases the risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, joint pain, sleep apnea, certain cancers, even. With small and consistent changes to your eating habits and activity levels, you can make a big difference to your health and bring your weight right down. 

2. Colorectal cancers 

Did you know that this is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men? Usually, it starts with small and usually unnoticeable polyps, but these polyps – when left unchecked – can lead to cancer. Screenings and colonoscopies can catch it early and you should start attending screenings as soon as they become available to you. Early symptoms of colorectal cancers include abdominal pain, blood in the stools and changes in bowel habits that are unusual for you. You shouldn’t wait around for these screenings because polyps can become a big problem.

3. Osteoporosis

As you get older, your bones can weaken and become more likely to break. It’s more common for women to experience osteoporosis, but men can, too. It’s also more common in men who deal with low testosterone and long-term medication use. Bone loss usually happens without symptoms and then a fracture occurs and you’re off work. This then leads to further issues, such as depression and weight gain, which has a bigger effect on other issues that affect men’s health.

4. Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea causes a brief pause in breathing during sleep and that can lead to poor sleep, fatigue and heart issues. If your partner that you sleep beside complains of loud snoring, that you’re gasping for air during sleep and you’re feeling tired even after a full night, speak to your doctor. It’s more common in men who are dealing with obesity and you’ll need a sleep study to diagnose.

5. Depression

As much as physical health is something you should be aware of, mental health is just as important. Unfortunately, many men try to ‘push through’ their mental health issues because the patriarchal standard in which we live tells them that men should hide their emotions. Unfortunately, other men purport this issue and that becomes the lesson. The only way to end this cycle is to ensure that we’re teaching our sons that their emotions are okay to be felt. Feeling sad and dealing with feelings of hopelessness can be difficult so if you’re losing interest in things you previously enjoyed, it’s time to seek help.

6. Hearing loss

With a trip to the audiologist, you can get on top of any hearing loss you’re experiencing. Hearing loss is often so gradual that we don’t notice it happening until it’s too late, and it’s more than just a nuisance. It can affect communication and relationships and it can even impede brain function. 

7. Eye issues

Vision problems happen to us all as we age but men may notice cataracts, glaucoma, presbyopia and macular degeneration. Routine eye exams can help you to catch these issues early and with the help of an eye specialist, you can protect your eyes and get the right support necessary. 

8. Skin cancer

Working in the sun for tradies often means that skin issues and cancers are fairly common. If you notice any changes, new moles and new blemishes, then getting some help is the best thing that you can do for your health.