5 health concerns men should know.

Live a healthy life and avoid these five health concerns.

1. Heart Disease

Although men and women are both at risk for heart disease, the risk is higher for men over the age of 45, according to the National Institutes of Health. Keep your heart young by exercising 3+ times per week, minimize fried food and eat plenty of green leafy vegetables. By working to lower cholesterol and keeping your weight in check, you can lower your risk of heart disease. Anyone can be diagnosed with heart disease, and some individuals are born with this condition. However, age is a factor in developing heart disease.

2. Melanoma

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but can be treated if detected early. Regularly check for new moles or existing moles that may have changed in color, size, or thickness. Ask a friend of loved one to check areas like your back that you may not be able to inspect easily. When detected early, melanoma is often treated successfully. Early detection is key! Don’t wait until a regularly scheduled appointment to point out the mole to your doctor. Call and ask to be seen earlier. Due to the likelihood of men waiting before being checked out, white men over the age of 50 make up nearly 50% of all melanoma deaths in the United States.

3. Macular Degeneration

Also known as Age-related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, it's a common cause of blindness. The macula's located at the back of the eye at the center of the retina, enabling you to see what's directly in front of you and fine detail. It plays a vital role in helping you read, write, drive and perform other detailed tasks as well as recognize faces and see colors.

There are two types of AMD – “wet” and “dry”. Dry AMD is the most common form of the condition in which cells in the retina fail to function properly as you get older. This occurs very gradually over many years. Wet AMD often develops quickly and involves the growth of new blood vessels behind the retina. These new blood vessels are very fragile so may leak fluid or blood, resulting in scarring that causes rapid vision loss.
It's unclear what causes AMD. It becomes more likely as a person ages because over time, the cells in the macula become damaged and worn out.

With macular degeneration, both eyes are usually affected, although one eye may be affected before the other. The good eye usually compensates for the affected eye, which means that for many years you don't even know you have a problem, especially as there are no other symptoms such as redness or pain. Because it's central vision that's affected, patients retain some residual vision, but this is at the periphery of their field of vision where images aren't in focus.

4. Prostate health
Prostate cancer ranks fifth among the causes of death for men over age 45. After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among all men in the United States.
Early detection can ensure wider options for treatment and higher rates of remission following treatment. Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer generally don't show until the cancer is more advanced, therefore early screenings can be important.
Some symptoms to look for include, pain or burning when urinating, frequent urination, inability to urinate, and pain in the lower back or pelvis. These symptoms can be signs of other problems as well, so always consult your physician.
Those who have family members with prostate cancer are at a greater risk of having the same cancer, particularly if a close relative had it at an early age. Men over age 50 are also at a greater risk.

5. Suicide and Depression

Men are more likely to commit suicide compared to women, reports the MHN, which attributes part of the blame on underdiagnosed depression in men. Men are more likely to hide feelings and instead turn to other actions to mask the depression. These include anger, aggression, digestive problems, risk-taking behavior, and alcohol and substance abuse.

Loved ones, doctors, friends and men themselves need to understand that society’s model of masculinity – to ignore sad feelings – can work against men. Ignoring signs and symptoms can trigger depression. If you’re feeling pushed to the limits, ask for help.

Sources:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hdw/signs.html
https://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20090420/melanoma-detection-men-waiting-is-risky
https://www.menshealth.co.uk/healthy/symptoms-treatment/macular-degeneration-104551
https://www.menshealth.co.uk/healthy/symptoms-treatment/macular-degeneration-104551
https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Prostate-Cancer-Symptoms
https://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/healthinvestigations.asp?sid=18&title=Early-Detection-of-Prostate-Cancerhttps://members.mhn.com/web/public/default/Mayo/MC00041