Health Ministry Newsletter-June 2015 by Lisa Fleetwood

Men’s Health Facts

Percent of men 18 years and over in fair or poor health: 12.1%

Percent of men 18 years and over who currently smoke cigarettes: 21.2% (2010-2012)

Percent of men 20 years and over who are obese: 34.6% (2009-2012)

Percent of men 20 years and over with hypertension: 31.6% (2009-2012)

Leading causes of death are Heart disease, Cancer, and Accidents (unintentional injuries)

*Source CDC.gov

And some other scary findings:

According to a study conducted at Duke University, about 1/4 of all men have ZERO CLOSE FRIENDS. This study is significant because good health is closely tied to social support. In fact, a study at Brigham Young University found that social isolation is twice as bad for your health as obesity. Friends serve as our support structure when we are down. They encourage us to be our best and inspire us to more than we thought we could achieve.

Read Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The average man watches three hours of television PER DAY! Think about spending nearly a full day watching TV per week. We often lament that we are too busy to accomplish important activities that lead to better health, things like exercise, food preparation, or socializing. Clearly, we are busy, we are just not making the best use of our time. Identify your priorities, shave off a little couch time and substitute some healthier habits. 

*Source Bureau of Labor Statistics

Two out of three men spend less than 20 minutes to finish dinner, according to a study at Columbia University. That’s bad news because men who eat quickly are 84% more likely to be obese that those who take their time.

Men spend an average of 101 minutes driving every day according to research conducted at the University of California, Berkeley. Why does it matter? Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that city driving is more stress inducing than skydiving and that stress is linked to a rise in cancer and obesity. Driving may well be one of the most unhealthy habits you have! Consider a carpool, walking, or riding your bike when you can.

*Source Men’s Health

What should you know?

Heart Disease is the number one killer of men yet half of all the men who die from the disease didn’t even know they had a problem. Your risk doubles every decade after the age of 45 and those with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease are more susceptible. Knowing the signs and seeking help early can help you live a longer, healthier life.

Signs of Heart Attack

• Squeezing, pressure or pain in the chest
• Sudden pain in either or both arms, your back, shoulder, jaw, or neck.
• Sudden shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat.
• Sudden cold sweats or nausea.

Prostate Health

If a man doesn’t know what his prostate is or what it does, he is not alone; most men don’t! Knowing some basics could save your life. Besides skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, 220,800 new cases are diagnosed each year. That’s one in seven men diagnosed during their lifetime (1 in 38 men will die from the disease). Know the symptoms and when to seek medical treatment.

 Problems passing urine or the need to urinate more often, especially at night.

 Blood in the urine

 Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones.

 Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.

Talk with your doctor about early screening methods like the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test or a digital rectal exam.

*Source American Urological Association

Mental Health

While depression affects nearly 6 million men in the United States, many still go undiagnosed. A potential reason for this may be that men express symptoms of depression differently than women. While depressed women express sadness, men tend to display irritability, hostility, or become withdrawn. While women can feel anxious or scared, men may become suspicious and guarded. Some men even experience unexplained physical pain like frequent backaches, headaches, or stomach pain. Depression may be triggered by stress at work, marital or money problems, or a recent death. It is important to recognize the symptoms of depression as it can have devastating social and physical effects. Depression is a medical condition and requires professional intervention. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk honestly with a friend, family member, or doctor. Once correctly diagnosed, there is plenty you can do to successfully treat and manage depression. For more information, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Mental Health Association of Indiana at 1-317-638-3501.