JUNE IS MEN'S HEALTH MONTH

June is Men's Health Month and a great opportunity to look at how men can lower their risk factors for preventable diseases such as heart disease and cancer, as well as address male-specific problems such as low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: Heart disease remains the number one killer of men in the US, according to the CDC. Heart disease is often asymptomatic. Until there is an event of some sort, such as a heart attack, angina or an arrhythmia, people don't know they are sick. The following are the top 5 risk factors for heart disease:

1. High blood pressure

2. High cholesterol

3. Strong family history

4. Smoking

5. Diabetes

Many of these factors can be controlled, but men are often averse to changing their lifestyle.

PROSTRATE CANCER: Prostrate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men. Unfortunately, medical experts disagree on the importance of prostate cancer screening since treatment for prostate cancer can cause serious side effects, and this slow-growing cancer may never develop to a point where it affects a man's lifestyle. That said, prostrate screening saves lives. It is recommended that men begin getting screened at age 40, rather than age 50.

LOW TESTOSTERONE AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: Men naturally experience a drop in testosterone levels that starts at age 30 and continues throughout the rest of their lives, but levels should never be below normal. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency are depressed mood, lethargy, reduced energy level and lack of sexual desire. Blood tests can ascertain whether a man is suffering from testosterone deficiency, and the condition is treatable with hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone injections, patches or gels. Erectile dysfunction also increases with age, and by age 80 about 60 percent of men will experience it. One third of men reporting erectile dysfunction will also have a heart problem or hypertension, so the two are linked.

A prostate healthy diet is a heart healthy diet. If you eat right for your prostate, you are eating right for your heart. It is recommended that men take a one-a-day vitamin, extra Vitamin D, and calcium. Pay attention to your body, do what you should, and if you have a symptom, don't be macho, get it checked out!