The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of the top ten killers of American men. The first two (heart disease and cancer) do most of the work, and were responsible for more than half of all male deaths in 2003 (the most recent data available). But just because a health threat is lower on the list doesn’t mean you can ignore it.
- Diabetes. Approximately three percent of all male deaths in 2003 were caused by diabetes. Weight is a big risk factor for diabetes; complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Influenza and pneumonia. These infections were responsible for nearly two and a half percent of all male deaths in 2003. A yearly flu shot — especially if you are at risk because of other health conditions — can reduce your risk of influenza by ninety percent. The pneumonia vaccine can cut your risk in half.
- Suicide. Responsible for just over two percent of all male deaths in 2003. Depression is a major risk factor for suicide; talk to your doctor if you are experiencing fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and/or a loss of interest in your usual activities. Big, life-altering crises and changes can trigger a depression, too.
- Kidney disease. Sometimes a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure, kidney disease caused just under two percent of all male deaths in 2003. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly, and stay at a healthy weight. Smoking and abuse of painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen can also contribute to kidney disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease. The last spot on the list was responsible for one point five percent of all male deaths in 2003. Right now, there isn’t a way to prevent the disease, but there are things you can do to make sure you catch it early and get treatment.
Your risk level can vary based on age, race, family history, and a bunch of other factors. Talk to a doctor if you are concerned about your loved one’s health, and do all that you can to lead a healthy lifestyle. Making good health a way of life can help the men we love live long beyond the average life expectancy of 75.