Men's Health
The Age
Tuesday July 12, 1994
Barry is 34 years of age and has worked in an insurance office since he left school. One Friday, he and a few friends went out for a long lunch. They were only back an hour or so when Barry began to feel unwell. He stood up to go to the toilet and nearly passed out. After a while he felt better, but he decided to call into the surgery after work.
When I examined Barry, there was nothing much to find. I wondered whether he had a viral infection or perhaps eaten something that had disagreed with him. At any rate, no specific treatment was required.
However, I did note that his blood pressure was mildly elevated at 145/95. He was at least 10 kilograms overweight and was drinking four stubbies of heavy beer each night, and more on weekends. He was relieved that there was nothing acutely wrong with his health, and agreed to call back for a complete check-up in a few weeks. He said the same thing two years ago and didn't turn up. I hope he comes back this time.
MEN ARE probably not as careful as women when it comes to their health. They will see the doctor promptly if they fear they could be ill, especially if the bloke next door has a heart attack or someone at the office develops cancer. But a routine check-up is something that many men never really get around to.
Women have more reasons to see the doctor - for repeat prescriptions for the contraceptive pill, regular Pap smears, and common gynaecological problems. They are also more likely to be at the surgery with young children, and often take the opportunity to see the doctor at the same time. By necessity, women get used to seeing the doctor more frequently than men.
Many men just do not feel there is a need to see the doctor if they are feeling well. Some men eventually become a little frightened about seeing the doctor at all. It might be a fear that a serious illness will be diagnosed, or even a concern that the doctor will give them a lecture on smoking or their diet.
Why men seem to have a different attitude to their health is not completely clear. Maybe it starts in childhood with boys being taught to be tough and to take manly risks. Fortunately, some of these attitudes are starting to evaporate. However, in the meantime, there are certain areas of men's health that are of special concern.
Alcohol. The intake of alcohol among Australian men is about three times that of women. Similarly, deaths from alcoholic liver disease are also three times more common. Alcohol features prominently in domestic violence, crime and road trauma. It has always carried a heavy toll on the health of Australian men.
Smoking. Smoking among Australian men has dropped steadily from about 70 per cent in the 1940s to about 30 per cent today. A disproportionate number of younger men and women still smoke, but hopefully this will also gradually decline. Despite the encouraging trends, smoking is still the number one cause of preventable disease in our community.
Trauma. Road accident deaths are especially common in young men and often involve the familiar combination of speed and alcohol. Head injuries from car and motorbike accidents are also common. Working in casualty departments and head-injury rehabilitation units can give you the impression that some younger men are almost accidents waiting to happen.
Suicide is almost four times as common in men than women. There has been an alarming rise in suicide by Australian teenage males, doubling in the past two decades.
Coronary artery disease and heart attack are much more common in men than women, up to the age of about 60. Women are protected by their hormones until menopause, after which the difference gradually becomes less apparent.
Stress applies to both men and women. However, there have been different stresses that many men have had to cope with in recent years. Retrenchments, company restructurings and interstate relocations have affected many people in the public and private sectors. I have seen factory hands, storemen, accountants and managing directors all going through the same anguish and uncertainties.
Relationships with women can be another source of stress. With such a large proportion of women working outside the home, many men have had difficulty redefining their altered roles and responsibilities.
Male conditions such as cancer of the prostate and testis are also important. Men have taken a long time to understand that regular prostate examinations are a good idea, and that they should know how to examine their testicles for lumps. Sexually transmitted diseases and issues related to sexuality are also areas of concern for many men.
© 1994 The Age
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