- Don't smoke or chew tobacco and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men, mostly due to cigarette smoking.
- Eat a healthy diet that’s rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fiber and fish. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help prevent prostate cancer and colorectal cancer, both of which are leading causes of death among men.
- Check your cholesterol and blood pressure. If they are too high, follow your doctor’s advice. Heart disease is a leading men’s health threat.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine – this helps to manage and reduce stress, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
- Maintain a healthy weight – losing excess pounds can help prevent Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes.
- If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation. Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and cause other health problems. Remember to designate a driver before you drink.
- Maintain mental fitness. Practice mental exercises, like puzzles and reading, and take steps to learn new things. These activities have been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
- Drive safely, follow the speed limit and wear your seat belt – the leading cause of fatal accidents among men is motor vehicle crashes.
- Limit your sun exposure. When you're working or playing outdoors, use sunscreen and wear a hat and long sleeves. The majority of people diagnosed with melanoma, the leading cause of death from skin cancer, are white men over age 50, and 5 percent of all cancers in men are melanomas.
- See your doctor. Get to it, get it done. Men seek medical care at a rate far lower than women. Having regular medical screenings is an important step to maintaining good health. While your health is in your hands, there are some projects that you may not be able to do yourself. Don’t be afraid to call an expert.
Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is...
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