5 Shocking Health Statistics for Men Over 40
When you hear about men and aging, you tend to think of the normal health issues that may plague males as they get older–weight gain, balding and maybe even prostate issues. However, there are other health issues that affect men over 40 that may surprise you.
5 Shocking Health Statistics for Men Over 40
1. Accidents and Heart Disease.
Before age 44, accidents are documented as the leading cause of death for men. However, once you hit 45, that statistic changes and heart disease becomes the leading cause of death for men 45 and up.
2. Melanoma.
According to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma–the most deadly kind of skin cancer–is the fifth most diagnosed cancer for men, a higher diagnosis than for women. For older age ranges, men are twice as likely to get melanomas than women.
3. Blindness.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of severe vision loss, including blindness, in the over 40 crowd. According to US News, “macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that affects the sharp central vision you need for important activities like driving and reading. It is caused by damage to the macula, a part of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eyeball.” Although AMD is seen more in women, it is still a concern for men as they age.
4. Stroke.
Until age 75, more men have strokes than women–it is about 1.25 times greater in men than in women.
5. Male Menopause.
Andropause, sometimes called male menopause, is the emotional and psychological changes that some men experience with aging. Symptoms include reduced sex drive, mood changes, hair loss, lower energy, and loss of muscle mass. As men age, the incidence of andropause increases. According to Michael Werner, MD, the following age ranges showed symptoms of andropause:
- Ages 40 to 49: 2% to 5%
- Ages 50 to 59: 6% to 30%
- Ages 60 to 69: 20% to 45%
- Ages 70 to 79: 34% to 70%
- Over 80: 91%
RELATED: Low Testosterone Due to Health or Aging?
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jacqueline Wilson is a prime parent, wife, published author and freelance writer. She writes here, on Prime Parents’ Club, and on her observational parenting humor blog, WritRams.com: Writer Ramblings on Parenting Imperfectly. Follow her on Twitter as @WritRams and on her Facebook page. She recently wrote an e-Book on the REAL truth about how blogs make money. She recently started Project Purse Club, a support and networking group dedicated to changing the way women treat each other in business and blogging.Subscribe
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