Heart Disease
With obesity on the rise and more people leading an inactive lifestyles, it's not surprising that the leading killer of both men and women is heart disease. And men tend to die earlier from heart disease than women.
Take these steps to reduce your risk of developing heart disease:
· Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean meats.
· Get 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least five days a week.
· Maintain a healthy weight.
· Don't smoke. If you already smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit.
Cancer
The most common causes of cancer death in men are lung (31%), colorectal (10%) and prostate (9%) cancers. While it is not fully understood what exactly causes cancer, there are certain factors that put you at greater risk. These factors include using tobacco (smoking causes 90 percent of lung cancer deaths), obesity/overweight, sun exposure, excessive drinking, inactivity, environmental factors and heredity. While there's little you can do about your genetic predisposition, you can take important steps to avoid other risk factors related to lifestyle.
Stroke
While you can't control some risk factors for stroke-such as your family history, age and race-you can prevent the leading causes, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and BMI) and keep them in check. Don't smoke, or quit smoking if you already do. Studies have found that 5-15 years after you quit, your risk for stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Manage your diabetes. Limit your alcohol consumption to two drinks per day. Reduce stress.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body regulates blood sugar (glucose). The most fatal consequences of diabetes include heart attack and stroke, which are two to four times more likely in people with diabetes. Overweight and obesity are among the leading causes of the most common type of diabetes (Type II). Many men are not aware they have the disease until they experience complications from it, including erectile dysfunction, loss of vision, kidney disease and nerve damage to the hands or feet. To prevent diabetes, maintain a healthy weight, exercise at least 30 minutes a day most every day of the week, eat a healthy diet, have your blood sugar tested regularly and talk with your doctor about your family history of diabetes.
Kidney Disease
Causes of kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure and overuse of certain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen. To avoid kidney disease, be sure to drink plenty of water each day, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, don't smoke, maintain a healthy weight and know your numbers. Take medications only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist and limit the amount of pain relievers you take.If you want to know the symptoms of chronic kidney failure, you may read this article: Are You Aware of Those Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Women.
