by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
One of the saddest facts about COVID-19 is that although the same number of men and women become infected, men are more likely to develop severe infection, and to die from it.
In one large Chinese study (April 2020), 70% of those who died, were male. The World Health Organisation (WHO, May 2020) also reported that 63% of COVID deaths in Europe, were in men.
Although the reasons are not well understood, doctors suggest this may be because heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver disease are all more common in older men. There may also be differences between the male and female immune system.
Men are worse at accessing health care
Men are also so much worse than women at coming forward for health care. The National Pharmacy Association report that men visit the doctor an average of 4 times a year, compared to women who visit 6 times. Men visit a pharmacy 4 times a year compared to women who visit 18 times. 9 out of 10 men say they hate to bother the doctor.
Staying healthy as you age
Calling all men! Now is the time to actively start looking after yourselves. At age 50, men can reasonably expect to live for another 30 years, but so often, these precious years are cut short by diseases that could have been prevented.
Prevention is always better than cure. And early detection also gives you a chance of a much better outcome. It’s time to get real, and start being proactive about your health. Are up to date with all your healthcare appointments? Are you looking after yourself the very best you can?
Medical check-ups
- Free NHS check – A 30-minute appointment, for those aged 40-74 years, to check your height, weight, BMI, and blood pressure, plus test your urine for diabetes. Book yours at your GP surgery today.
- Bowel screening – For those aged 60-74. Ask your GP surgery for a home testing kit called a Faecal immunochemistry test (FIT) test – an easy way to test for blood in your stools.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA ) screening – An AAA is a swelling of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. It usually causes no symptoms, until it ruptures, which is catastrophic and usually fatal. Aged 65 or over? Ask your GP surgery for AAA screening.
- Do you have any prostate symptoms? – No need to be embarrassed. If you have difficulty passing urine, a poor stream, a flow that’s stops and starts, having to get up at night to pee, or pain passing urine, go and see your doctor. These are all symptoms of prostate trouble. Go and chat this over with your doctor.
Healthy lifestyle
Adopting a healthy lifestyle has so many benefits for your health. For details of how to seek further help, see Table 1 below –
- Stop smoking – This is the single best thing you can do to improve your health. Have you heard of the drug varenicline (Champix) which blocks nicotine cravings? NHS Smokefree offers free advice and support to help you stop smoking.
- Reduce alcohol – Drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week? If so, you would benefit from cutting down on your alcohol intake. Alcohol is full of calories, and causes high blood pressure, and liver disease.
- Healthy Diet – Your body needs a nutritious, well-balanced, varied diet, full of fresh food, fruit, and vegetables. Reduce our consumption of red meat. Avoid processed foods – often high in saturated fat and salt. One good option is to follow the Mediterranean Diet.
- Lose weight – Your weight is crucial to your health. Try and keep your BMI between 21-25. If you need to lose weight, find a sensible calorie-controlled diet, and get started. See your GP to discuss.
- Exercise – Take at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise. This means around 30 minutes per day of exercise sufficient to make you feel hot, sweaty, and slightly out of breath. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming are good examples. You can do 3 x 10-minute bursts.
- Sexual function – Are you having problems in the bedroom department? If so, make an appointment and go and chat it over with your GP. You’re not alone. Around 50% of men in their 50’s are having problems with erectile dysfunction (ED). There is so much that can be done to help, but you need to go and get the conversation started. ED drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra) have saved many marriages!
- Depression – This can seriously affect your quality of life. Do you feel low? Do you find you are withdrawing socially? Are you having trouble concentrating? Is this affecting your ability to cope with work? You could be depressed. Again- it’s time to see your GP.
Table 1 – Adopt a healthy lifestyle –
For more information
- Find your local NHS Stop Smoking service – https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/
- Reduce your alcohol intake – Call the NHS Alcohol helpline on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9 am – 8 pm, weekends 11 am – 4 pm).
- The Mediterranean Diet https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/what-is-a-mediterranean-diet/
- Start the NHS Weight Loss plan https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/start-the-nhs-weight-loss-plan/
- Take more exercise – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/
- Erectile dysfunction – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
- Depression https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/
