From the time they’re boys, men are trained to keep a stiff upper lip, grin and bear it, and otherwise avoid complaining, whining, or expressing their true feelings. In fact, according to men surveyed by the Cleveland Clinic, 41% were told as boys that “men don’t complain about health issues.”
That level of silence and avoidance leads to catastrophic health results for men, who live on average five years less than women do. Alex Lesani, MD, an expert urologist, encourages all men to pay attention to changes in the way they feel, look, and function, and to see their urologist annually.
Below we list a few symptoms that are easy to ignore, but could be warning signs for health conditions and diseases.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not necessarily a sign that your relationship has reached its expiration date. It’s also not an inevitable part of aging.
Chronic episodes of ED could indicate serious illness, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes. You’re more likely to have ED if you’re obese, or if your testosterone (T) levels are out of whack.
Suffering from ED may lead to depression and anxiety, but depression and anxiety can also trigger ED in the first place. If you have ED, Dr. Lesani evaluates your overall health — including your T level, mood, and underlying conditions — to restore your potency and confidence.
If you find yourself waking up multiple times in the night to go to the bathroom, you might not be drinking too much water. You may have an enlarged prostate that’s pressing on your bladder, increasing urgency.
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may affect the volume and flow of your urine, too. You may experience symptoms such as:
Though BPH is a benign condition, symptoms of incontinence or trouble urinating could also indicate a more serious illness, including prostate cancer.
You may notice temporary changes to the color and odor of your urine if you eat vegetables such as beets or asparagus. However, healthy urine normally is pale yellow and has a mild odor. Pay attention to symptoms such as:
Changes to your urine could be a sign of kidney stones, which may need to be dissolved or removed. They could also be a sign of kidney cancer.
Fatigue may accompany relatively benign conditions, such as BPH. However, fatigue also could be a symptom of:
If you don’t feel energized and vibrant, or if you have ED or urinary troubles, you don’t have to “man up” and keep silent. Get the answers you need to feel like yourself again by calling our Las Vegas, Nevada office today for a work-up at 702-470-2579. You can also book online.
