Do you know a man who seems to think that he doesn’t need to see a doctor?

Does he think that he is indestructible? Well, many men do. However, it’s important for men to get checked for serious conditions like heart disease and prostate cancer. With the unusual aches, pains, and growths that men tend to blow off.

According to their article, “10 Symptoms He Shouldn’t Ignore“, Richard Laliberte and Gail Saltz note that “one survey found that a quarter of men who were sick or in pain would wait as long as possible to see a doctor, and 17 percent would wait at least a week.

They also note that “experts agree that not every symptom warrants a trip to the doctor, but some seemingly minor signs shouldn’t be toyed with (in men or women). We asked physicians to tell us the most serious symptoms that often go ignored—and why they shouldn’t be.”

1. Feeling tongue-tied – While a man might chalk it up to getting older, it could be a stroke caused by a clot, injury, narrow blood vessel restricting blood flow to the brain. Brain function and can make speech may become difficult. The words that are spoken do not make sense and such symptoms warrant an immediate call to the doctor or trip to the ER. Mini-strokes usually last only a few minutes and symptoms typically disappear within an hour.

2. Shortness of breath – A man may be thinking that it’s due to a lack of regular exercise but it could be an impending heart attack. Shortness of breath with exertion could indicate that the heart muscle isn’t getting enough oxygen, a common symptom for heart attack. For those men who are 55 and older, they are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

3. Persistent pain on one side of the abdomen – A man may think that it’s just a pulled muscle but it could be a kidney stone or tumor. One-sided pain that goes away probably is a side stitch or pulled muscle in which case nothing to worry about. However, a dull and persistent abdominal pain should be evaluated by a doctor. If abdominal pain lasts longer than three days, be sure to see a doctor.

4. Blood in the bathroom – A man might be thinking that it was just something I ate but it could be a kidney stone or bladder cancer if blood is present in the urine. On the other hand, it might be colon cancer if blood is present in stools. If blood is present after wiping, see a doctor to be tested for hemorrhoids, cancer, or an ulcer.

5. Trouble down below – A man may just think that a pill can take care of this problem but it could be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease. Laliberte and Saltz quote Dr. Miner saying “The latest studies find that men in their 40s and 50s with erectile dysfunction maybe two to five years away from a cardiovascular event like a heart attack. The first sign of ED is usually trouble maintaining an erection during sex or not having normal morning erection.”

6. Daytime fatigue – A man might be thinking that he ought to go to bed earlier but it could be obstructive sleep apnea. Spending more time in bed won’t help if fatigue is due to this condition, in which the airway narrows or is blocked during sleep, cutting off breathing and disrupting slumber five to 30 times an hour. Every person might have a night without sleep from time to time but if it persists, then a man could be at risk for a heart attack, arrhythmias, stroke, or even heart failure. Falling asleep while doing activities during waking hours is a sign of cardiovascular issues.

7. Constant grumpiness – Men tend to think that they are just under a lot of stress at work but it could be depression. Crankiness can be normal but it lifts within a few days. However, clinical depression can last for weeks at a time and affect a person to the point of not behaving like themselves, becoming less productive, or losing his sex drive. Therapy and medication can help with symptoms.

8. Frequent urination – A man may think that he is drinking too much coffee but he may have type 2 diabetes or an enlarged prostate. If a man seems to be getting up more at least twice a night, his body might be attempting to rid itself of excess blood sugar. He should get his blood sugar checked if he urinates more than he did 30 days prior or experiences increased thirst. A change in diet, exercise, and medication can work together to control diabetes.

9. Yellowish skin – Men may not even notice their yellow skin but it could be a sign of liver trouble including liver disease, gallstones, pancreatic cancer, or viral hepatitis infection, which causes swelling of the liver.

10. A new spot on the skin – He could be thinking that it’ll go away but it could be skin cancer or seborrheic keratoses — warty, waxy benign lesions that become more common in middle age. It’s always a good idea to consult a physician when a growth alters in size, shape, or color. Laliberte and Saltz state that “the differences in appearance between a benign growth and skin cancer—especially melanoma, the deadliest type—can be subtle. So your physician may want to take a biopsy to make a definite ID.”

Getting a man to the doctor can be challenging and maybe contributed to them wanting to feel manly. However, it can also be denial which can be linked to fear. Perhaps men think that if they ignore it, it will go away or not be so scary. Laliberte and Saltz suggest talking and emphasizing that regular check-ups can catch potential issues before they get worse.

Discuss his presence and role in his family. Perhaps making the appointment for him can help. It’s always a good idea to write down his questions and concerns for the visit. Take notes during the exam so that anxiety does not prevent you or him from hearing what the doctor has to say.

To learn more about the ten symptoms a man should never ignore, click here.

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