Men's Health Thread (incl. boys' health)

iptba

Men's Health is part of the remit of tGC.

I thought it might be better to keep it separate from the Men's Rights threads.

There is also this thread "Bill and Ben the Gym Men" which is a "general fitness thread for all sports/activities" http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057090195.

I've an item I'll now post in the second message to start this off.

iptba

From today's Irish Times:

The hidden problem of male anorexia

Male eating disorders are on the rise and ignorance about them only exacerbates the issues


[..]

“This is something I’ve been trying to draw attention to for 30 years,” says Dr Griffin. “The figure that is routinely given out is that only 10 per cent of all anorexia cases are male, but this is based on data from the 1970s.

“I would put that figure now at one in three.

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/the-hidden-problem-of-male-anorexia-1.1753391

py2006

I believe that eating disorders are a lot more prevalent among young men than we think. Probably even more so nowadays as a lot of teenage boys and young men are more body conscious, aware of eating healthy and attending the gym.

My own weight does be up and down and it depresses me greatly when I have an extra few pounds on me. Yet if I speak about my weight or general appearance I am laughed at because I am a man.

Pepe LeFrits

Also in the BBC yesterday: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26935687

H3llR4iser

Interesting topic, I just posted this:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057186323

About a poll that puts "thinness" and "flat stomach" as #2 and #3 things women look for in men.

Femme_Fatale

py2006 wrote: »

My own weight does be up and down and it depresses me greatly when I have an extra few pounds on me. Yet if I speak about my weight or general appearance I am laughed at because I am a man.

Wha?! What sort of goons would laugh at you for that?

iptba

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=23481

[Posted: Wed 09/04/2014 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]

Eating disorders seen as 'women's problems'

Some men may delay seeking help for eating disorders because there is a widespread perception that these are women's problem, a new study has found.

[..]

"Men with eating disorders are under-diagnosed, under-treated and under-researched. Our findings suggest that men may experience particular problems in recognising that they may have an eating disorder as a result of the continuing cultural construction of eating disorders as uniquely or predominantly a female problem," the researchers from the University of Oxford and Glasgow University said.

Dingle_berry

I am considering a trip to a GP for a checkup. It has me wondering what are others experiences of GPs?
I've been to 5 GPs in three surgeries over the last 4 years. Of them one advertised himself as having a special interest in cardiology and dermatology so I went to see him for a checkup and to check out a mole. I spent more time filling out my medical history than I did in with him. Nothing but the mole was checked. The outcome was referral to a consultant dermatologist to be told that it's benign. The first of the 5 GPs that I went to for a check up after >10 years not seeing a doctor told me that he doesn't believe in check ups (still charged me for one!). One of the GPs I went to with a persistent cough. He told me that it was viral, antibiotics wouldn't do anything for it, but here's a script for some anyway.
The returns from health insurance don't even cover the annual increase in premiums.
I'm hoping that I'm just unlucky. It's common knowledge that men don't seek medical advice soon enough - could this be a contributing factor? What are other guys experiences of going to a GP? A quick as possible precursory investigation of your complaint or does your GP do check-ups (BP, chest, physical exams, etc)?

shopaholic01

Dingle_berry wrote: »

I am considering a trip to a GP for a checkup. It has me wondering what are others experiences of GPs?
I've been to 5 GPs in three surgeries over the last 4 years. Of them one advertised himself as having a special interest in cardiology and dermatology so I went to see him for a checkup and to check out a mole. I spent more time filling out my medical history than I did in with him. Nothing but the mole was checked. The outcome was referral to a consultant dermatologist to be told that it's benign. The first of the 5 GPs that I went to for a check up after >10 years not seeing a doctor told me that he doesn't believe in check ups (still charged me for one!). One of the GPs I went to with a persistent cough. He told me that it was viral, antibiotics wouldn't do anything for it, but here's a script for some anyway.
The returns from health insurance don't even cover the annual increase in premiums.
I'm hoping that I'm just unlucky. It's common knowledge that men don't seek medical advice soon enough - could this be a contributing factor? What are other guys experiences of going to a GP? A quick as possible precursory investigation of your complaint or does your GP do check-ups (BP, chest, physical exams, etc)?

If I was treated like that by a GP I would refuse to pay for the consultation. Maybe ask for a GP recommendation in the relevant regional forum?

pwurple

Did you ask first GP for a heart screening? Taking a detailed medical history and dealing with your specific complaint seems reasonable.

Loads of the insurers cover screenings. My husband just had a detailed heart screening done by laya.

The persistant cough one is ludicrous. That should be taken seriously. Gp's tread an awkward line though, often people are appaulled when they come out without an antibiotic prescription.

Gael23

Dingle_berry wrote: »

I am considering a trip to a GP for a checkup. It has me wondering what are others experiences of GPs?
I've been to 5 GPs in three surgeries over the last 4 years. Of them one advertised himself as having a special interest in cardiology and dermatology so I went to see him for a checkup and to check out a mole. I spent more time filling out my medical history than I did in with him. Nothing but the mole was checked. The outcome was referral to a consultant dermatologist to be told that it's benign. The first of the 5 GPs that I went to for a check up after >10 years not seeing a doctor told me that he doesn't believe in check ups (still charged me for one!). One of the GPs I went to with a persistent cough. He told me that it was viral, antibiotics wouldn't do anything for it, but here's a script for some anyway.
The returns from health insurance don't even cover the annual increase in premiums.
I'm hoping that I'm just unlucky. It's common knowledge that men don't seek medical advice soon enough - could this be a contributing factor? What are other guys experiences of going to a GP? A quick as possible precursory investigation of your complaint or does your GP do check-ups (BP, chest, physical exams, etc)?

Yes I think any Doctor will tell you men don't pay enough attention to their health.
I have recently had to leave the most fantastic GP I have had, ever. I have some health concerns so would have sen him every 3 months at minimum for follow up and whatever prescriptions I needed. He would ask me every so often how was I feeling and did i need him to do anything else but generally he never screened for anything in the absence of symptoms. I have a medical card due to my health issues so that covers the cost but would probably not go as often as I need to if I didn't.
I didn't leave him through choice and by the time we get to the end of this year I will most likely have changed GP 4 times which, with my medical history is a big deal. I do believe in looking after your health but with what I've been through with GPs the last 3 months, I don't really trust them anymore.

mfceiling

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Interesting topic, I just posted this:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057186323

About a poll that puts "thinness" and "flat stomach" as #2 and #3 things women look for in men.

That's me fcuked then...

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Some people say that the Irish Government doesn't fund groups that highlight men's health problems in the same way they do with women's health problems, but I don't see any truth in it.

I mean, sure, women have:

http://www.breastcheck.ie/
http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/

But men have..

http://www.testicularcheck.ie/
http://www.prostatecheck.ie/

I think it's all just men whinging tbh.

iptba

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

Some people say that the Irish Government doesn't fund groups that highlight men's health problems in the same way they do with women's health problems, but I don't see any truth in it.

I mean, sure, women have:

http://www.breastcheck.ie/
http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/

But men have..

http://www.testicularcheck.ie/
http://www.prostatecheck.ie/

I think it's all just men whinging tbh.

http://www.activelink.ie/content/irish-links/health/womens-health-council
One example: there's a women's health council but no men's health council:

The Women's Health Council

The Women's Health Council is a statutory body set up in 1997 (under statutory instrument No. 278 of 1997) to advise the Minister for Health and Children on all aspects of women's health. Its mission is to inform and influence the development of health policy to ensure the maximum health and social gain for women in Ireland. The membership of the Women's Health Council is representative of a wide range of expertise and interest in women's health.

Background
In 1995 the Department of Health held a nation-wide consultation with women aimed at defining a framework for women's health policy. Out of this process came the Women's Health Plan. The Plan recommended the setting up of the Women's Health Council, a permanent body to ensure effective and appropriate policy for women's health care. The work of the Women's Health Council is guided by three principles:

Equity based on diversity - the need to develop flexible and accessible services which respond equitably to the diverse needs and situations of women

Quality in the provision and delivery of health services to all women throughout their lives.

Relevance to women's health needs.

Mission Statement
The Women's Health Council exists to influence the development of Health Policy at regional, national and international levels in order to ensure the maximum health and social gain for women.

iptba

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

Some people say that the Irish Government doesn't fund groups that highlight men's health problems in the same way they do with women's health problems, but I don't see any truth in it.

I mean, sure, women have:

http://www.breastcheck.ie/
http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/

But men have..

http://www.testicularcheck.ie/
http://www.prostatecheck.ie/

I think it's all just men whinging tbh.

Oops, realise now you're being sarcastic as the last two don't exist (and there are no screening programs for them).

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

iptba wrote: »

Oops, realise now you're being sarcastic as the last two don't exist (and there are no screening programs for them).

No bother, did the same myself yesterday

Interesting post about the Health Council.

Reminds me of Pat Kenny interviewing the guy who ran the Equality Authority, and him saying that 99% of their work was for women and think Pat, on the back of men texting the show complaining about their experiences in the family courts, asked him why and he said that basically Equality is an issue for women and not men Direct from the horse's mouth

Dingle_berry

iptba wrote: »

(and there are no screening programs for them).

There are no screening programmes as there are no suitable markers for these cancers, as yet. The best marker is self knowledge of what is normal (testicular exam, sensation of urination, etc) to detect what is abnormal. It is not fair to blame the HSE or government for men not being vigilant of their own bodies.

iptba

Dingle_berry wrote: »

There are no screening programmes as there are no suitable markers for these cancers, as yet. The best marker is self knowledge of what is normal (testicular exam, sensation of urination, etc) to detect what is abnormal. It is not fair to blame the HSE or government for men not being vigilant of their own bodies.

Well, certainly in many countries, much more of taxpayers' money is given by state agencies to breast cancer research than for prostate or testicular cancer. If similar amounts of money had been invested, we might well have tests that could be used in screening programs for prostate or testicular cancer.

Gael23

Dingle_berry wrote: »

There are no screening programmes as there are no suitable markers for these cancers, as yet. The best marker is self knowledge of what is normal (testicular exam, sensation of urination, etc) to detect what is abnormal. It is not fair to blame the HSE or government for men not being vigilant of their own bodies.

I think young guys should be shown how to examine themselves properly by their GP if possible. I know young males in that age group probably don't go to their GP too often but it's something that should be discussed. Even to just explain effective technique and what to feel for.
Similarly it can't be hard to have an annual PSA blood test for men over 60, and then physical exam if required.

Dingle_berry

ryanf1 wrote: »

I think young guys should be shown how to examine themselves properly by their GP if possible. I know young males in that age group probably don't go to their GP too often but it's something that should be discussed. Even to just explain effective technique and what to feel for.
Similarly it can't be hard to have an annual PSA blood test for men over 60, and then physical exam if required.

You answered the testicular cancer problem yourself, I never attended a GP myself as a teenager and to date still have only been examined once by a doctor, I'm nearly out of the risk category now
The PSA blood test sounds great. But it is crap. Absolute crap. It is useless without knowing your normal baseline, it can be raised in inflammation, benign hyperplasia, etc as well as malignancy. Or worse - may not be raised in malignancy. Also there are too many different tests available with no established correlation between them. A result of 5 with your GP in Wicklow could give a result of 15 in Beaumont hospital (figures estimated not based on scientific data)
Your safest bet as a man is to insist on physical examinations and to hope that the person doing the exam has sufficient experience to spot abnormalities. Even the physical exam can't discriminate between benign hyperplasia and malignancy. So if there is something abnormal you're looking for a biopsy procedure that carries a higher risk of complications than a breast biopsy ( such as infection, incontenance, etc)

Yeah research is good. Assigning funding sounds great, really progressive. But what do we actually research? Breast & ovarian cancer was easy; the stats showed an age difference which led researchers to a hormone difference. Cervical cancer was linked to sexual activity which was linked to HPV infection. Testicular cancer is a heterogenous group of diseases. Pathologists differ in the strategies employed to diagnose prostate cancer. Most elderly men (<70?) at autopsy were shown to have some degree of prostate cancer that did not contribute to their death. What if you over treat these men - kill them early?

iptba

(October 26 article)

Eating disorders: They afflict men too
http://www.hayspost.com/2014/10/26/eating-disorders-they-afflict-men-too/

iptba

December 12 article on a recent study:

Could a '10 to 6' working day help you sleep better?

[..]

The research team was looking for reasons why some people sleep less than others. They highlight that sleep is essential for memory consolidation and alertness, while lack of sleep is linked with poorer health.

Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – it also shortens your life expectancy.

[..]

Working multiple jobs was linked with the highest chance of sleeping less than six hours a night on weekdays.

Self-employed people were less likely to be short sleepers compared to private sector employees.

Short sleep was consistently linked to the following factors:
being 25 to 64
being a man
having a high income
being employed

continues at: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/12December/Pages/Could-a-10-to-6-working-day-help-you-sleep-better.aspx

iptba

(December 12 piece)

Self-harm hospital admissions among children 'at five-year high' By Sima Kotecha

BBC Radio 4's Today programme
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30414589

This raises the issue of boys self-harming and of them being unlikely to report it.

Based on the stats, a lot more girls than boys self-harm so even if there is more under-reporting in boys, there's a good chance that overall more girls do it. But still useful to raise the issue that it can affect both genders.

Pawwed Rig

Interesting analysis of suicide stats here
http://www.rte.ie/iu/suicide/

iptba

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Interesting analysis of suicide stats here
http://www.rte.ie/iu/suicide/

A new report has come up with a different conclusion regarding the effects of the recession:

Suicides of more than 470 men in Ireland linked to recession
In 2008, the trend of falling suicide rates started to reverse and self-harm among both men and women has also been rising.
http://www.thejournal.ie/suicide-recession-2-1994514-Mar2015/

iptba

Good news

March 14 article:

Doctors Announce World's First Successful Penis Transplant

http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/doctors-announce-worlds-first-successful-penis-transplant

cantdecide

My means are very limited at the moment and will continue to be so for now so budgeting is everything. I've had some capital expenses over the summer and things have been tight. Clothes and holidays and the like are very low on the list as are anything luxury in nature.

However, I've almost finished my motorbike project. I had to sell another bike to fund this project so I'd have one working bike which would allow me to indulge my passion but in a more manageable way but I hit a potentially serious snag. It's not rideable now and the cost of fixing the issue could range from €100 to about €800 depending which would make my eyes water. In searching for info, a Boardsie offered to perform a service to help diagnose the problem and he'd do it at a bargain price. The project was gone way over budget and I was running out of money but I decided to hit the credit card and sort it out.

Meanwhile, I've had some health concerns; nothing serious but affecting my quality of life. I think I'm having some stress related digestion problems which can knock me out and I've always had problems with my sinuses and nasal passages and have had surgery in the past but it's been worse than ever this year.

When I started seeing my cash for the month dwindling I decided to clamp down on all unnecessary expenditure but when the bike problem cropped up I jumped at the chance to get the bargain job done. Both my digestion and sinus problems flared up again a week or so ago and I decided 'if it doesn't improve again by pay day I'll go to the doctor'. Then the obvious thing hit me- I'm strapped for cash but I've just decided to prioritise my motorbike's health over my own... which is the probably the most stereotypical blokey health thing you could do. So I booked a doctor's appointment and the bike will get fixed some other time.

Gael23

Anyone ever had an intimate exam by a female doctor? Things like that are the reason why any GP I've seen since my teenage years has been male but I was with a Junior Doctor in an outpatient clinic and I didn't have a chance to object.
Wasn't that bad if I'm honest and I know a Doctor has seen it all before and all that but I still feel like some things are best dealt with man to man.

uck51js9zml2yt

Gael23 wrote: »

Anyone ever had an intimate exam by a female doctor? Things like that are the reason why any GP I've seen since my teenage years has been male but I was with a Junior Doctor in an outpatient clinic and I didn't have a chance to object.
Wasn't that bad if I'm honest and I know a Doctor has seen it all before and all that but I still feel like some things are best dealt with man to man.

You've obviously never been in hospital and needed a bed bath or helped shower!

Pawwed Rig

Wouldn't bother me whether man or woman. There is nothing in an intimate exam that is different for a doctor than any other type of procedure.

Gael23

Marshall Most Streetlight wrote: »

You've obviously never been in hospital and needed a bed bath or helped shower!

Not as a grown up anyway!

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Wouldn't bother me whether man or woman. There is nothing in an intimate exam that is different for a doctor than any other type of procedure.

As I said, I know well a doctor has seen it all before and that but I just feel more comfortable dealing with certain things with another man. Bowels, Testicles and such for example.