Jul 23, 2008 7:44 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Symptoms Men Should Never Ignore
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Many men think symptoms will just go away if they ignore it, but unfortunately that's not always the case.
CBS
Getting men to take care of their health isn't always easy.
Even if they're not good about keeping regular check-ups, there are five symptoms they just shouldn't ignore. Many men think the symptoms will just go away if they ignore it, but unfortunately that's not always the case.
Chest pain should be the last thing men ignore, but doctors say it happens all the time.
"We always talk about the pain that's like an elephant sitting on your chest, with nausea, vomiting, sweating, you know," Dr. Marrick L. Kukin, of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, said. "Don't pass, go directly to the emergency room."
Yet that wasn't the case for Leonard Neiman.
"Not everybody who has a heart attack has chest pains," Neiman said. "I didn't. I just couldn't sleep at night, but I wound up with pains in my pinkies."
A big belly may not be from overeating, but instead can signal low testosterone levels and is a risk factor for diabetes and coronary artery disease.
"A lot of men will sort of ignore it and change the belt position," Dr. Kukin said.
Frequent urination is also a red flag.
"They think it's a sign of aging – however, frequent urination could also be a sign of diabetes," Dr. Franklin C. Lowe, also of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, said. "It could also be a sign of undiagnosed prostate cancer."
A simple pill shouldn't be the first line of treatment for erectile dysfunction. The symptom could mean more.
"When somebody has erectile dysfunction, particularly if they're younger men, they clearly need to be evaluated for cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes," Dr. Lowe said.
If you find yourself short of breath, it may not mean you're out of shape. Lung disease, heart problems, and blood clots are among other possibilities.
In general, men have ostrich syndrome when it comes to medical care – they put their head in the sand and ignore al problems until they are really severe.
A yearly physical after age 30 is invaluable for both men and women.
In addition to routine screening, your doctor can update vaccinations and assess your risk of future medical problems.
It's crucial to maintain a relationship with your doctor in the event of serious illness.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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