Latest news with #menhealth
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
TV doctor shares the questions every man over 60 must ask their GP
Growing older comes with its challenges, and for many, seeking medical help for age-related issues often takes a backseat. Research from men's healthcare company Numan reveals that nearly two-fifths of men avoid going to the doctor due to appointment difficulties, while 31 per cent hesitate to seek help to avoid causing a fuss. The NHS offers a Health Check every five years for those aged 40 to 74 without pre-existing conditions. Regardless of age, it's crucial to consult a GP promptly for issues like poor sleep, unexplained weight loss, loneliness, persistent pain, high stress, low energy, and a diminished interest in usual activities. But there are many questions older men may have including about asking about aches, conditions that their father had that they could be diagnosed with, or struggling to get an erection. Dr. Punam Krishan, a regular on BBC Morning Live, advises regular check-ins, especially after 40 or 50, noting men's tendency to ignore or push through changes. "Men are a bit more likely to just ignore things or try to push through changes, and that's why we do encourage – especially after the age of 40, 50 – to have a regular check-in," says Dr Punam Krishan, who makes regular appearances on BBC Morning Live and competed on last year's Strictly Come Dancing. According to Dr. Punam Krishan, there are also questions you should specifically ask your GP when you are in your 60s: 'Is this just natural ageing? Or is something else going on?' 'Once we reach our 60s, the most important thing to do is not dismiss the changes in our bodies as just getting older,' says Krishan, a health expert for Stannah. ' One of the biggest things I encourage people to talk to their GP about is mobility. Are you finding stairs harder? Are you walking more slowly? Are you in pain? Are you needing to steady yourself on furniture around the house? 'Maybe you're avoiding carrying laundry. Are you being a bit more careful when the weather is bad? These might seem like small, insignificant things, but actually, often they're early signs your body's having to work harder.' There may even be a simple fix that could save you a lot of stress. 'Prevention is better than cure. There's a lot we can do to improve strength, balance and your confidence, especially if we can catch things earlier,' says Krishan. 'It might be that we need to refer you to physio, or think about supportive aids or occupational therapy. Sometimes it might be adapting things around the house.' 'I keep forgetting things – is it dementia?' We all misplace our keys sometimes, or forget why we walked into a room, but if you are concerned that you're becoming increasingly forgetful, or if loved ones have mentioned it, speak to your GP. 'Memory issues are always worth bringing up,' says Krishan. Family history can help flag your risk of diabetes and some cancers. 'If you saw your parents struggle with certain things in their 60s or 70s, it's worth being proactive and talking to your doctor about how to stay ahead of those changes,' encourages Krishan. 'I'm peeing more in the night/struggling to pee – should I be worried?' ' One of the most common issues I see in men is urinary symptoms, so getting up during the night, a slower stream, or needing to go more often. 'These can be a sign of prostate enlargement, which is a very normal manifestation for men as they get older,' says Krishan. 'Once we've diagnosed them, they're actually very easy to treat.' These symptoms can also be related to prostate cancer, so should always be checked out. 'I can't seem to get or keep an erection – what's going on?' 'Men really feel embarrassed about coming forward and speaking about erectile dysfunction, but it can have a huge impact on your relationships, your self-confidence, the way you show up in the world, and can actually be a trigger for anxiety and depression as well,' says Krishan. There are treatment options for ED, from medication to devices that may help. She adds: 'As men get older, problems down below are very common.' ' Heart health is an important area for men, so asking to have your blood pressure checked as a one-off would be great. You can ask your pharmacist,' says Krishan. 'All those kind of 'well man' things, like getting your height, weight and blood pressure measured, to look at your BMI and see, 'Is it high?' can be done at the pharmacist.' She says we often forget how important our eyes are too. 'Make sure you get your sight tested annually, because vision can be affected [by certain conditions],' explains Krishan. 'Cataracts are something that happens to us as we get older, but your optician's brilliant. People tend to think opticians are just for a vision check, but that's not the case. They can look for things like if there's any blood pressure-related changes. 'High blood pressure is a silent killer, and it can show up with changes at the back of the eye, which often opticians will pick up and say, 'Oh, I think you need to go to your doctor and get that looked at.' And it could be the early signs of cardiovascular disease, or even early signs of diabetes. Opticians are brilliant at picking those up.' Trying to secure a GP appointment during the 8am scrum can feel impossible sometimes, and other times you may put off calling because you're worried about putting your GP under unnecessary pressure – but don't. 'You are absolutely not a burden,' says Krishan, noting that systemic pressures on the NHS shouldn't 'impact the individual care that you need and deserve'. She says: 'The pressure on doctors is real, but if you are worried about a health problem, we want to see you. We want to be able to get to you, because actually, getting to you earlier means there's fewer complications later down the line, which is beneficial for both the patient and your healthcare workers.' And don't be embarrassed 'There's nothing ever to be embarrassed about,' says Krishan. 'Older generations especially worry about fear, embarrassment, shame, burdening the doctor and I would say, that is not an issue for us at all. There's nothing we've never seen or heard before. Our job is there to help you feel better. So don't put off that call if something's niggling you.' While it's not exactly a forum for general health questions, A&E is always open and there for acute things, be it sudden onset chest pain, then that's straight to the hospital. 'If you feel like you've got any problems with facial drooping, weakness in any part of your body, if you've got speech problems, anything like that, then it's urgent, go to A&E,' says Krishan. 'If you think, 'This cannot wait and I am feeling very unwell,' take that as a serious sign and call NHS 111 or 999.'
The National
29-05-2025
- General
- The National
Best photos of May 29: Makeshift shelters in Idlib to crowds seeking aid in Gaza
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men. 2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash. 3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible. 4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key. 5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health Ministry sounds alarm as ED becomes silent struggle for most Malaysian men past 40
PUTRAJAYA, May 20 — Two out of three Malaysian men are at risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed today. He said that based on the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), 31.6 per cent of Malaysian men aged 18 and above were found to have moderate to severe levels of ED. 'Erectile dysfunction is a condition that is rarely discussed, but it is becoming a serious issue among Malaysian men. 'Data shows that 69.5 per cent of men aged 40 and above are currently experiencing or have experienced ED,' he told reporters after launching the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the Management of Erectile Dysfunction here today. ED is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Meanwhile, Lukanisman said the CPG was developed to ensure that ED patients receive the best possible care from healthcare practitioners equipped with relevant knowledge and skills, in line with the recommendations provided in the guidelines. 'This CPG was developed over the course of several years and has now been shared with clinical professionals, universities and associations as a reference for delivering comprehensive treatment for ED,' he said. He also encouraged individuals suffering from ED to seek treatment at Health Ministry (MoH) facilities promptly, noting that nearly 70 per cent of ED cases are believed to be a contributing factor in divorces. 'Men should not feel ashamed, and women also play an important role in learning about ED and supporting their partners in seeking help,' he added. Separately, Lukanisman said the MoH, through the Pharmaceutical Services Division, is currently working with e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok to monitor and restrict the sale of ED-related medications. 'I want to emphasise that ED is a medical condition that should be treated just like diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. 'Don't treat medications (sold online) as tools to enhance sexual performance or stamina,' he said. — Bernama
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
GP issues urgent warning over 'summer penis' phenomenon that could destroy intimate moments
British men may be enjoying a 'summer penis' thanks to warmer weather but doctors warn that as the mercury rises so too does risk of erectile dysfunction. Summer penis is a term given to the phenomenon where men find their manhood swells in size as the temperature climbs. This is a simple biological reaction to the heat with blood vessels in the member expanding instinctively to help cool the body. As a result, this can make the penis seem slightly larger or fuller than normal. However, Dr Donald Grant, a GP and senor clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, warned that warmer weather wasn't completely good news for men's nether regions. 'Across the UK, we've been blessed with some incredible spring weather as temperatures exceed 25C in some cities,' he said. 'While this is welcome news, the warm weather can also affect many health conditions, exacerbating symptoms. This includes erectile dysfunction (ED).' He explained that hotter temperatures can worsen impotency—which is where men are unable to get or keep an erection—in multiple ways. 'One of the main ways warmer weather can affect ED symptoms is through dehydration,' he said. 'When we become dehydrated, our bodies reduce blood volume, making it more difficult for men with penile issues to achieve and maintain an erection.' Dr Grant said another way the heat could ruin men's intimate moments was through simple tiredness and a lack of sleep. 'The warmer weather forces our bodies to work harder to maintain a safe internal temperature, which can often trigger fatigue,' he said. 'Poor sleep can have a direct impact on hormone production, limiting the amount of testosterone produced, which, in turn, worsens ED symptoms and makes achieving an erection more difficult.' He explained the combination has a knock-on effect on ED sufferers, increasing stress and worsening performance anxiety. Finally, while the warm weather may make some men crave for an ice-cold pint Dr Grant warned this will also make ED worse. 'When temperatures rise, so does alcohol consumption, as Brits make use of beer gardens and host get-togethers to enjoy the warm weather. 'However, alcohol can have an extremely negative impact on ED symptoms, lowering blood pressure and affecting blood flow to the gentile area. 'Long-term, unhealthy alcohol consumption can damage nerves and blood vessels, further impacting men with this condition.' Erectile dysfunction, also called impotency, is thought to effect about half of men over 40. While most cases of erectile dysfunction are isolated and nothing to worry about, repeated or sustained impotency should be checked out by a GP. It can be an indicator of serious health problems like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, diabetes, hormone problems and mental issues like depression and anxiety.
