MENS HEALTH GUIDE

Male Physical Characteristics

Men and Women body are biologically very different from each other. An average man is taller and heavier than an average woman. Men have more bodily hair than women do, especially on the chest and extremities. Men are over 30% stronger than women, especially in the upper body. Men have larger hearts and lungs, and their higher levels of testosterone cause them to produce greater amounts of red blood cells. Men’s skin has more collagen and sebum, which makes it thicker and oilier than women’s skin. Some scientists believe that every organ in the body, not just those related to reproduction — has the capability to respond differently on the basis of sex. Like Bone, Skin, Heart and Brain therefore many diseases are expressed differently in men and women.

Male Health Care

Also most men need to pay more attention to their health. Compared to women, men are more likely to

• Smoke and drink 

There are also health conditions that only affect men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Many of the major health risks that men face - like colon cancer or heart disease - can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis. Most of the common diseases that affect men are potentially preventable, but one needs to know their enemy. Interestingly, the presence of some diseases increases the likelihood that another will occur. Many men stay closed-mouth about their health, be it an illness or weight gain or wacky sexual problem. It's important to get the screening tests you need.

Common Ailments & Diseases

Andropause / Male Menopause

Testosterone is the hormone responsible for male characteristics and sperm production in men. As men get older, the level of testosterone in the body and production of sperm gradually becomes lower, and they experience physical and psychological symptoms as a result of these low levels. Since men do not go through a well-defined period referred to as menopause, some doctors refer to this problem as androgen (testosterone) decline in the aging male, or what some people call low testosterone. Decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone with aging can also be due to conditions such as diabetes. Along with the decline in testosterone, some men experience symptoms that include fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual problems.

In women menopause hormone production stops completely but, in Andropause testosterone declines gradually. A healthy male may be able to make sperm well into his eighties or longer. However, as a result of disease, subtle changes in the function of the testes may occur as early as 45 to 50 years of age, and more dramatically after the age of 70 in some men.

Although symptoms may vary from person to person, common symptoms of men going through Andropause include:

• Make unhealthy or risky choices 
• Put off regular check-ups and medical care 
• Liver Cirrhosis - Cirrhosis of the liver is more common in men than women. There are a number of diseases that cause cirrhosis but the most common are hepatitis C and alcohol abuse. One of the problems with cirrhosis of the liver is that signs and symptoms may not appear until the disease is quite advanced. 
• Hernia- Information on the causes and types of hernia, how lifestyle changes can help and the other treatment options are available. 
• Inguinal Hernia- Around half a million men in America will require surgery for their hernia next year. Inguinal hernias are more than 10 times more likely to occur in men - because they are men. 
• Testicular Problems- Although testicular cancer is fairly rare it pays to examine your testicles around once a month. Testicular self-examination takes less than 5 minutes. Here's how it's done. 
• Epilepsy- Men are more prone to epilepsy than women. Despite the fact than 1 in every 200 people will experience a seizure at some point in their life there remains both fear and misunderstanding about the causes and implications of epilepsy 
• Osteoarthritis- Often thought of as a condition only affecting women, osteoarthritis is actually more common in men under the age of 45. 
• Athlete's Foot- Athlete's foot is an uncomfortable foot infection caused by a fungal growth. It can itch, lead to blistering and exposure of underlying tissues and cause both pain and discomfort 
• A lump on your testicle- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged from 20 years to 35 years. If you notice a lump or abnormality in your testicles, see your doctor immediately. Most testicular lumps are not cancer, but it is essential to have any abnormalities checked. 
• Varicocele- You've fathered one child but for some reason your partner can't get pregnant again? You think you can't be infertile but you may possibly be one of the 80 per cent of men in the same situation who also have a varicocele, one of the most common causes of infertility. 
• Prostatitis- It's common and it affects roughly half of all men at some time in their life. 
• Hypospadias- This birth defect affects roughly one in ten boys where the opening of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis. 
• Bigorexia (muscular dysmophia)- The quest for physical perfection is taking its toll on thousands of men just as much as women around. Bigorexia is sometimes called reverse anorexia and is just as difficult a challenge for men 
• Trouble urinating- When the prostate is enlarged, it can press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This can make it hard to pass urine, which can be a sign of prostate disease, including cancer. 
• Impotence- Most men have problems getting or keeping an erection (impotence) at some point. Generally, lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercise, can correct the problem. Some men may need medication such as sildenafil (also known as Viagra).Your doctor is likely to assess your general health because impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. 
• Low sex drive 
• Difficulties getting erections or erections that are not as strong as usual 
• Depression 
• Irritability and mood swings 
• Loss of strength or muscle mass 
• Increased body fat 
• Hot flashes 
• Lack of energy