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Men's Health Issues

Growing Awareness about Men's Health Issues

For a number of years female health conditions and diseases have enjoyed widespread community and government recognition and support. Quite rightly many campaigns have been staged to increase awareness and decrease incident rates for serious diseases and conditions which are specific to women.

Unfortunately this has not necessarily been mirrored in the field of men's health. Thankfully this is now changing. Awareness of the conditions and diseases specific to men is increasing because of the men�s health movement. This movement developed national momentum late last century and has now had a significant impact on some areas of male reproductive health.(1)

MELBOURNE GP and sexual health physician Dr Darren Russell has been honoured at the AMA national conference for his clinical and advocacy work on men's health and anti-discrimination issues.

Presenting the 2004 Men's Health Award, AMA president Dr Bill Glasson said Dr Russell's "strong sense of social justice at every level has led to his involvement in the sexual health treatment and public health needs of marginalised people".

Many of the stigmas of the past are decreasing. Issues that were previously never spoken about have come to the fore and raised the awareness of specific men's health conditions. The availability of oral erectile dysfunction therapies such as Viagra, increased awareness of the importance of testosterone and the suggestion that men�s fertility levels are dropping have created much debate.(2)

While reproductive health issues are only a part of men's health issues in general, the state of men's health and what actions need to be taken to improve this and general quality of life for men has led to the firm belief that there needs to be policy and practice put in place. Although the concept of men's health is becoming more accepted in the community, policy initiatives are still in very early stages.(3)

National men's health policy in Australia is in the formative stages. However, government funding has often been limited for these initiatives. The momentum of the men's health movement is still growing and this can only lead to greater recognition and further support from governments at all levels to ensure that the health needs of Australian men are met.

Thankfully most Australian men are now outgrowing the former mantra of "I�ll be right", and are proactively monitoring their health and seeking expert advice on men's health issues.

References

1. Pinnock CB, O�Brien B and Marshall VR (1998). Older men�s concerns about their urological health: a qualitative study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 22(3 Suppl): 368-373

2. Watson J (2000). Male Bodies: Health, Culture and Identify. Open University Press, Buckingham, United Kingdom

3. MacDonald J and Crawford D (2002). Recent developments concerning men�s health in Australia. Australian Journal of Primary Health. 8(1): 77-82

Fitness for Mature Men

Only around one in 10 Australians over the age of 50 years exercises enough to gain any cardiovascular benefit. Physical decline associated with older age may be due to reduced testosterone levels and also a lack of physical activity.

As you age you require adequate fitness levels to help you recover from illness and reduce your risk of disease. One significant problem in old age is loss of independence. Exercising regularly and attaining a reasonable degree of physical fitness would help an older person meet the demands of their daily routine. Various studies show that it is never too late to get fit. Strength and agility are important attributes for quality of life.

The human body responds to exercise, no matter what its age, and the health benefits are multiple. If you have not been exercising regularly it is a good idea to see your doctor before embarking on any new exercise routine.

Misconceptions

Many older people believe that exercise is no longer appropriate. Some of the common misconceptions that prompt older people to abandon physical activity include:

Older people are frail and physically weak.
The human body doesn't need as much physical activity as it ages.
Exercising is hazardous as older people may injure themselves.
Only vigorous and sustained exercise is of any use.

Benefits from regular exercise to the older body:

Muscle – Some studies suggest that the average body loses around 3kg of lean muscle every decade from middle age.

Bone – Exercise reduces the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercise, in particular, helps to keep bones healthy and strong.

Heart and lungs – moderate intensity exercise is most favourable: for example, exercising at about 70 per cent of the individual's maximum heart rate (220 beats per minute minus your age). Regardless of age, people are able to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness through regular exercise.

Joints – In particular, people with arthritis can benefit enormously from a gentle exercise routine that includes working joints through their full range of motion.

Body fat levels – carrying too much body fat has been associated with a range of diseases including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Regular exercise burns kilojoules, increases muscle mass and speeds the metabolism.

Getting active – Suggestions include:

If you are over 40 years, obese, suffer from a chronic illness or have been sedentary for some time, see your doctor before you start a new exercise routine. Choose activities you find interesting. You are more likely to keep up with an exercise routine if it's fun, rather than a chore. Exercise with friends to make it sociable.

Safe, easy and comfortable forms of exercise include walking, swimming and cycling. Weight training can dramatically increase your muscle mass in a comparatively short space of time. Always warm up and cool down thoroughly and through a full range of movement. This will reduce the risk of soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains. Start off slowly, and aim for small improvements.

Don�t overdo it:

Check your pulse frequently.
Choose appropriate clothing and safety gear.
Don't let yourself dehydrate.
Don't exercise in hot weather.
Don't exercise immediately after meals.

Choosing a Fitness Centre

There are different types of fitness centres, gyms and health centres, and choosing the right one for you requires some homework. This article offers a range of suggestions to help you make an informed decision. If you haven't exercised in a long time, are overweight, aged over 40 years or have a chronic medical condition, see your doctor before embarking on any new fitness program.

Is a fitness centre the right choice?

Does this scenario sound familiar?
Peter wants to lose weight and get fit, but thinks exercise is boring. To help motivate him, he buys a gym membership. However, he never set foot inside the gym again, which means he is out of pocket for nothing. If you're bored by the activities offered at the fitness centre – for example, if you hate the idea of lifting weights or doing aerobics – don't join up. Instead, concentrate on finding physical activities that are fun and convenient. Be imaginative. You may enjoy golf, bush walking, swimming or playing a team sport like cricket.

Key Selection criteria

Location The fitness centre should be conveniently close. If you have to drive too far, you might be tempted to skip workouts. Don't assume that a fitness centre located near home would be most convenient. If you only have time to exercise at lunchtime, for example, consider joining a fitness centre near work.

Activities and equipment Make sure the fitness centre caters for the kinds of activities you like – for example, free weights, aerobics classes, swimming pool and so on. Remember that boredom sets in if you don't have enough variety in your exercise program. Ensure that the fitness centre has a variety of equipment. Take a close look at the equipment for wear and tear. See if the change rooms and other amenities are clean and well maintained. Check the timetables to find out whether you can attend the classes you want. Enquire about their routine fitness screening. This should include a suggested exercise program designed to suit your needs. Regular reviews should be available. Consider the importance of other facilities – for example, onsite child minding, availability of parking or coffee shop.

Cost Stick to your budget. Be sure to find out if any extra charges apply. A reasonable annual fee is between $500 and $800. Does the centre offer a variety of payment options?

Image It's important to be comfortable with the atmosphere of the fitness centre. Would you feel relaxed and at ease while working out there, or self-conscious and embarrassed? Factors to consider include: The age spread of the other members. The predominance of one sex or the other; The general fitness level of the other members; What everyone else tends to wear – for example, stretch tights or tracksuit pants; The type of music played. The sorts of posters or pictures on display.

Code of practice The fitness centre should operate in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Business Practice developed by industry and government. Check with the manager/owner, but code features should include: Reasonably priced shorter term membership options; Maximum memberships of one year; Fully detailed membership agreement; A cooling off period after purchasing the membership, just in case you change your mind; FIA registered staff. Choose a reputable centre The fitness industry has at times experienced a high number of business failures.

As a member, you will protect your investment by joining a centre that is reputable and financially sound. Factors to consider include: Find out how long the fitness centre has been running. Be wary of ultra-cheap membership deals, as these often flag financial problems for the centre. To reduce the odds of losing money should the centre unexpectedly shut down, choose short term memberships.

Membership You should expect to get clear and detailed information on the various membership deals on offer. Ask questions. Find out if you can freeze or transfer your membership. Some fitness centres offer discounts – for example, to concession holders or for members who want to train in off-peak times. Make sure the fitness centre has adequate insurance in case you are involved in an accident. Try before you buy Don't join up yet – take a casual class (or two) during the times you plan to attend. Are there long queues? Are there enough staff? Are they friendly?