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  • Alzheimer's caregiving
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continued:

Men's health: Preventing your top 10 threats

No. 6 — Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — affects the way your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Possible complications of type 2 diabetes include heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage. To prevent type 2 diabetes:

  • Lose excess pounds, if you're overweight.
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.

No. 7 — Flu

Influenza is a common viral infection. While a case of the flu isn't usually serious for otherwise healthy adults, complications of the flu can be deadly — especially for those who have weak immune systems or chronic illnesses. To protect yourself from the flu, get an annual flu vaccine.

No. 8 — Suicide

Suicide is another leading men's health risk. An important risk factor for suicide among men is depression. If you think you may be depressed, consult your doctor. Treatment is available. If you're contemplating suicide, call for emergency medical help or go the nearest emergency room. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255).

No. 9 — Kidney disease

Kidney failure is often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's treatment suggestions. In addition:

  • Eat a healthy diet. Limit the amount of salt you consume.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Lose excess pounds, if you're overweight.
  • Take medications as prescribed.

No. 10 — Alzheimer's disease

There's no proven way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, but consider taking these steps:

  • Take care of your heart. High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
  • Avoid head injuries. There appears to be a link between head injury and future risk of Alzheimer's.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Avoid tobacco.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
  • Stay socially active.
  • Maintain mental fitness. Practice mental exercises, and take steps to learn new things.

Your bottom line: Take health threats seriously

Health risks can be scary, but there's no reason to panic. Instead, do everything you can to lead a healthy lifestyle — eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, quitting smoking, getting regular checkups and taking precautions in your daily activities. Adopting these preventive measures will increase your odds of living a long, healthy life.

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References
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  2. Heart disease risk factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
  3. ABCs of preventing heart disease, stroke and heart attack. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035374. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  4. Prevention and early detection: Cigarette smoking. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Cigarette_Smoking.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  5. Cancer facts and figures 2008. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  6. Common questions about diet and cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Common_Questions_About_Diet_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  7. Prevention and early detection: How do I protect myself from UV? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1x_Protect_Your_Skin_From_UV.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  8. Poisoning [dlh1] in the United States: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/poisoning.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  9. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/PoisoningPrevention/PreventCOPoisoning/tabid/122/Default.aspx. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  10. Poison prevention tips - adults. American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/PoisoningPrevention/AdultTips/tabid/119/Default.aspx. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  11. Drunk driving. National Safety Council. http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/drnkdriv.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  12. Drowsy driving. National Safety Council. http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/drowsy_driving.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  13. What you can do to prevent falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/Falls_ToolKit/DesktopPDF/English/brochure_Eng_desktop.pdf. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  14. WISQARS: Details leading causes of death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/NCIPC/WISQARS/. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  15. Stroke risk factors. American Heart Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4716. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  16. Type 2 diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  17. How to prevent pre-diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/pre-diabetes/how-to-prevent-pre-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  18. Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  19. Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/suicide.shtml. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  20. Men and depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/men-and-depression.shtml. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  21. Kidney disease: Causes. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=83. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  22. Resources: Make the kidney connection. National Kidney Disease Education Program. http://nkdep.nih.gov/resources/make_the_kidney_connection.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  23. Risk factors. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_causes_risk_factors.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  24. COPD facts. American Association for Respiratory Care. http://www.aarc.org/klein/what_is_copd.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  25. Causes of COPD. American Association for Respiratory Care. http://www.aarc.org/klein/causes.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  26. Car safety. American College of Emergency Physicians. http://www.acep.org/patients.aspx?id=26110. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.

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Feb. 7, 2009

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