Welcome to the Men's Health Guide

You've got a mortgage to pay, your oldest child's college education to think about, a spouse who could use some attention, a car in need of repair and a paycheck to bring home. You'll worry about those aches and pains later. And that funk you've been in lately? It'll pass. Besides, you don't have time to talk to a doctor, much less a counselor.

Men often overlook their emotional and physical well-being to keep up with the daily grind, but ignoring those aches and pains doesn't come without a price. It's up to you to examine your lifestyle, take control of your health and well-being and make positive changes.

There's a vast amount of useful information out there to help you take control, but who has the time to sift through it all and determine what's legitimate and trustworthy?

Men's Health Guide provides not only a concise overview of topics relevant to men's health and well-being, but also access to reputable Web sites if you need more answers.

Here, you'll find the resources you need to make the changes only you can make.

Aging

What changes will my body experience as I get older?

It’s true. You can’t turn back time. But you can age well. Men experience Aging Male Syndrome (AMS) between the ages of 35 and 65. Hormone levels — particularly testosterone — decline during this period. Check out the sites below for some tips on aging gracefully.

Alcohol Use and Abuse

What’s a “normal” and safe amount of alcohol one can consume?

Take a series of self-assessment tests at http://getfit.samhsa.gov/Alcohol/tests/default.aspx if you’re concerned you or a loved one has a drinking problem.

Youth and Family Services Counseling Center conducts Treatment Needs Assessments for anyone desiring to officially assess their current situation. Call (605) 342-4789 or dial 211 for contact information on treatment facilities near you.

Visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) online at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/ to view answers to frequently asked questions about alcohol.

Arthritis

My joints just ache lately. Should I worry about arthritis?

It’s inevitable. The older you get, the greater the chance of being diagnosed with arthritis. More women suffer from arthritis than men, but men are by no means immune from this disease that causes pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around joints. More than 100 conditions — osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and rheumatoid arthritis among them — fall under the definition of arthritis. Visit www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/default.asp for an A to Z listing of different types of arthritis or check out www.cdc.gov/arthritis/arthritis/index.htm on ways for arthritis sufferers to manage the pain and improve their quality of life.

Back Pain

My back’s killing me. What can I do to make the pain go away and avoid further injury?

Maybe last weekend’s football scrimmage with the guys was a little too rough and tumble. Or you woke up this morning wishing you hadn’t lifted all those heavy boxes.

Unfortunately, your back is vulnerable to injury because it’s so essential for every move you make.

But here’s some good news: Most back pain can be prevented and treated with a little TLC at home and some proper body mechanics at work and play. Visit the following sites for information on treating and preventing back pain.

Birth Control

How can I and my spouse or partner prevent an unwanted pregnancy or better plan a pregnancy in the future?

First things first. Birth control and protection against STDs are separate issues. But if you’re trying to avoid pregnancy, no shortage of contraception options exists. The key is finding a birth control method that best suits you and your spouse or partner. Be aware of the side affects — some permanent or more long-term than others — that may accompany certain decisions. Talk to your doctor or health care professional about what’s right for you. Visit www.vasectomy.com/ArticleDetail.asp?ArticleId=7&DoctorId= for a comparison of contraceptive methods or check out the FDA’s birth control guide at http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/1997/babyguide2.pdf. Still need more information? Try http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Birth-Control-Birth-Control-Methods.

Cancer Screenings

When should I get a screening?

Early detection of colorectal cancer, a cancer found in the colon or rectum, could save your life. Colorectal cancer is not only one of the more common types of cancer — it’s one of the deadliest. Men 50 and older should get regular screenings for colon as well as prostate cancer. Visit the Prostrate Cancer Foundation at www.prostatecancerfoundation.org for information on prostrate cancer, screening and treatment. And then check out the American Cancer Society’s recommended screening timelines for early detection of colon and prostrate cancers at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/
ped_2_3x_acs_cancer_detection_guidelines_36.asp or visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/.

Cholesterol

What’s the difference between LDL and HDL?

Cholesterol comes from two sources: your body and the consumption of animal-based foods. Cholesterol isn’t all bad. But it isn’t all good, either. So take some time to learn about “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and “good” cholesterol (HDL). LDL and HDL levels in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of heart attack. People with total cholesterol levels of 240 or more are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.


Want to control your cholesterol? Test your knowledge of cholesterol by taking the American Heart Association’s quiz at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3032767 or visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/.

Dental Hygiene

I’m too old for the tooth fairy. Why should I bother about my teeth?

You never outgrow visits to the dentist. But take good care of your pearly whites now and you’ll avoid additional trips later. Sure, life is hectic, but take a few minutes to brush and floss daily. The alternative is cavities, gum disease or tooth loss – and a nice dental bill to take care of what could have been prevented. One more thing. If you want your kids to practice good dental hygiene, lead by example.

Depression

How do I get out of this funk I’ve been in lately?

People suffering from clinical depression can’t just snap out of it. Compounding the problem is a pervasive hesitation to seek help. Treatment, however, is critical because depression not only affects the depressed person. It impacts their family, friends and co-workers. Read about the basics of depression at www.depression.com/ and then visit www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm for additional information.

Diet and Exercise

My abs don’t need to look like Fabio’s. I just want to feel good about my overall health and nutrition.

We can’t all be Adonis. But improving one’s fitness and maintaining a healthy weight don’t have to be an exercise in futility. You don’t have to purchase a pricey gym membership or expensive meal plans. Remember: Physical fitness can’t be purchased. It must be earned. So earn it by starting with small bursts of physical activity and working your way up to at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Walk Fido. Pull some weeds. Rake the leaves. Play tag with your kids. Don’t drive around for five minutes looking for that prime parking spot to open up. Park in the boondocks and hoof it. Watch portion sizes — it’s you, and not a small army, that you’re feeding. Grab an apple to snack on or add a dollop of peanut butter to your toast for a quick shot of fiber or protein.

Check out www.mypyramid.gov/ to determine how much you need to eat and how to make better food choices. Then head on over to www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/Exercise.htm for ideas on how to incorporate smart eating and exercise into your daily routine.

Hair Loss

The fact my teenage son just got his license can’t be the only reason I seem to be losing more hair lately.

You can thank grandpa for it. Male-pattern baldness, the most common cause of hair loss among men, is attributed to heredity, among other factors. Talk to your doctor about treatments for thinning hair. The FDA has approved two hair-loss treatments: Propecia, a pill taken once daily, and a topical lotion known as Rogaine.

Hearing Loss

Can you hear me now?

There’s a difference between selective hearing and hearing loss — one is under your control and the other requires testing. How often do you ask people to speak up? Do you turn the TV up so loud the volume puts the neighbor kid’s car speakers to shame? A hearing aid won’t cure hearing loss. But it can help you hear better. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from tuning in.

Impotence Or Erectile Dysfunction

What’s wrong with me? What do I tell my spouse or partner?

You’ve seen the ads. A once taboo subject is now the subject of cheesy drug commercials. But don’t rely on a 30-second TV spot to quell all your questions. It’s important to note most men experience erectile dysfunction (ED) at some point in their lives, particularly after they hit 40. An occasional episode of ED doesn’t mean you’ll experience it again or that it’s a permanent condition.

Physical and psychological factors can both contribute to a man’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or that of his partner. Whatever treatment you choose, don’t leave out a crucial element: Be up front and honest with your partner about your condition.

Parenting

My child should win an Oscar for best dramatic role in the full-length feature otherwise known as life.

You never stop being a parent. That’s why plenty of parenting resources are at your fingertips to get you through the long haul. Below are some sites that offer guidance on how to successfully raise, praise, discipline, teach and love your child.

Sleep Disorders

What I would give to sleep through the night.

Catching your Zzzzs shouldn’t be a luxury. Your overall health depends on it. If you struggle to fall and stay asleep, nod off at inappropriate times or sleep excessively, you may have a sleep disorder. Take a sleep test at www.sleepnet.com or visit www.sleepfoundation.org for a comprehensive “A to Zzzzs” look at sleep and the factors that can prevent or promote a good night’s rest.

Stress in the Workplace

Everything stresses me out at the office.

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear that lingers. Not knowing or recognizing the source of such uneasiness often adds to one’s distress. About 130 million people take some form of medication for stress-related symptoms, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control.

Tobacco

What kind of assistance is out there if I decide to quit?

Medicine and counseling are available to help you kick the habit, whether it’s cigarettes or chew. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. If you use chew tobacco or snuff, don’t assume you’re in any better shape than a smoker. Some of the same harmful materials in cigarettes are found in spit.

Make a plan and set a quit date. Tell your family, friends and co-workers you’re quitting and ask for their support. Visit the South Dakota QuitLine at www.healthysd.gov/QuitTobacco.html for some online support. Below are other sites that merit a visit:

 

 

 

 

Youth & Family Services Youth & Family Services Youth & Family Services

For more information, contact:

Burke Eilers
Youth & Family Services
PO Box 2813
Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 342-4789