Top 10 male health worries (part1)

Men can be shy creatures when it comes to talking about health – especially if the problem is a bit embarrassing.
We look at the top 10 body worries for men and ask male health experts what a man can do to solve them?

Man boobs (gynecomastia)

Obesity and hormonal imbalances are largely to blame, with men now exposed to greater levels of oestrogen.

According to Nick Mitchell, personal trainer and founder of Ultimate Performance in London, man boobs are becoming a huge problem in the western world, particularly in the last 3 to 4 years.
Obesity and hormonal imbalances are largely to blame, with men now exposed to greater levels of oestrogen.

What can you do?

'You have to ask whether you are too fat or whether your fat is unevenly distributed,' says Nick Mitchell.
'If it's the first, you need to exercise more and diet. The key place where testosterone is converted into oestrogen is in fat cells. So the more fat you have, the more likely you are to have the feminising enzyme aromatase.'
'However if you're one of those men with skinny arms and legs but still have a problem with man boobs, you may need to look at doing other things.
'Strength training can promote testosterone levels, and you can moderate and decrease oestrogens with foods and supplements.'
Nick Mitchell recommends eating plenty of broccoli and watercress, fibre, taking a DIM (diindolylmethane) supplement – a compound found in cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli etc) – and avoiding tap water and microwaved or processed foods.

Skin problems

Skin problems are high on the list of issues many men feel embarrassed about says Peter Baker, with acne in particular an issue for younger men and often a cause of anxiety.

What can you do?

Consult your GP.
'Young men may not feel confident about going to the doctor. But there are many drugs available that can help,' says Peter Baker.
Mild acne can be treated with topical treatments – creams and gels – such as benzoyl peroxide, while moderate cases may need a combination of topical treatments and antibiotics.
If your acne is more severe, you may be referred to a dermatologist.

Receding hairlines

Thinning hair may be natural, but it can cause much anxiety.

'Hair loss and bald patches are something that happens to most men. But some men feel pretty anxious and depressed about it,' says Peter Baker, chief executive of the Men’s Health Forum.
'They feel less attractive, and see it as a sign that things are going downhill.'

What to do?

'There are various treatments that claim to halt and reverse hair loss,' says Peter Baker.
'Finasteride and minoxidil are two over-the-counter products that can also be prescribed privately by a doctor.
'Hair surgery is also an option – although an expensive one.
'My own view is that most of us are better off coming to terms with the fact we are going bald. There are lots of famous, important, attractive men who are bald, and we should take inspiration from them.'

Erectile dysfunction

'Erectile dysfunction is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom of an underlying issue – including serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease,' says Peter Baker.
'There's growing evidence that erectile dysfunction is an early indicator of heart disease – and might be a sign that a heart attack is on its way in three or four years.'

What can you do?

'Seek help from a doctor, and don't just lie awake and worry about it,' says Peter Baker.
'Men tend to delay visiting the doctor for as long as possible, but delaying can make a serious condition more difficult to treat.
'Other causes include depression, so you might need antidepressants or someone to talk to.
'Seeking help means the underlying condition can be treated as well as the erectile dysfunction.'

Beer bellies

Male waists above 37 inches are associated with a higher risk of health problems.

Beer bellies or pot bellies – where the belly protrudes excessively – are due to an excess of visceral fat that sits around the internal organs.
Visceral fat has been linked to serious health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, heart disease and diabetes.

What can you do?

'You need to rebalance your blood sugar levels,' says Nick Mitchell.
'Cut down on carbohydrates, processed foods and don't worry about eating fat from natural sources – such as meat, eggs and butter.
'I go along with the theory that beer bellies may also be related to gluten intolerance – and if that's the case, you should cut out gluten – which is found in wheat, and funnily enough, beer.'
Remember, male waists above 37 inches are associated with a higher risk of health problems.