Men are being called to take action and check themselves for health issues as they often overlook symptoms, leading to neglected conditions. A TikTok doctor who is known as MrDr_HQ online has spotlighted key health concerns UK men face.
Dr Ale Kaabneh, a GP with a special interest in men’s health, highlighted: “In the UK, the most common diseases amongst men are cardiovascular disease and this includes high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.” He also listed prostate cancer, testicular cancer, bowel cancer, and skin cancer as frequent cancer diagnoses among men.
He shared further details: “Third would be diabetes. It is heavily influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. Four would be mental health issues – depression and anxiety being the most common.” With rising suicide rates – the Office of National Statistics reports an increase to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 males in England and Wales for 2023 from 16.4 in 2022 – it’s a critical time for mental health awareness.
The Samaritans issued a statement highlighting the importance of recognising emotional well-being: “Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you’re not feeling okay. You might be feeling tired more often, be feeling emotional, and you might not want to do the things that you usually enjoy right now.
“Struggling to cope with everyday life doesn’t look or feel the same in everyone. We can’t generalise about how it’ll make you feel or act. Samaritans are here to listen. You can call us on 116 123, email us at [email protected] or write us a letter. You don’t have to feel suicidal to get in touch. Only one person in five who calls Samaritans says that they feel suicidal.”
Dr Ale highlighted that men could unknowingly be suffering from various sexual health conditions. He said: “This could be sexually transmitted diseases and erectile dysfunction. As men, it is very important that we get our health checked regularly and that is to ensure that we live longer and healthier.”
If you ever experience symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, pain, fever, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, or an unexplained change in bowel habits, among other issues unusual to your body, contact your doctor immediately. An NHS statement reads: “NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now. 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours).
“Depending on what you need, you might be advised to: call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, go to an urgent treatment centre, see an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP), book a call back from a nurse, get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems, contact your own GP surgery, see a pharmacist for help with a minor illness, or look after yourself safely at home.”