We spoke to doctors from The Online Clinic to seek advice on the most important symptoms for men to be on the lookout for.
It can be hard to know what health issues are really important to look out for with men’s health. The internet throws all kinds of signs and symptoms at us, and googling only results in permanent paranoia. To try and understand what we really should be keeping an eye out for, I’ve been speaking to doctors from The Online Clinic to highlight the most important health signs. They gave me information on the following top five health signs which should be a warning signal to men to go and get a check-up.
Urination
Be sure to keep an eye on your urine – as this is often the first sign that something is wrong with your prostate. If you have a poor stream or find there is hesitation when going to pee, this can be a strong indication of prostatic issues. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible and put your mind at ease.
Unexplained weight loss
Another sign is weight loss – if you are losing weight without intention, it’s a good idea to get this investigated. The doctors at The Online Clinic have said that it could mean you have a symptom of a metallic disorder such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or even cancer in the extreme cases.
Statistically, middle-aged men are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes than women, so it is important to rule this out. If you notice that you are beginning to lose weight, make sure you see a doctor ASAP.
Coughing
Coughing can be another sign of a more serious health problem – if you’re a smoker, don’t dismiss a cough that lingers for more than three weeks as just being a nasty cigarette side effect. It could be a sign of something much more serious, like a lung disorder – or even cancer. If you find that a cough does last longer than three weeks, be sure to get this checked as soon as possible. And, if you don’t smoke, a cough longer than 6 weeks could indicate the same thing.
Painful ejaculation
Pain when you ejaculate is unpleasant and can be distressing. If this happens make sure you take note and go to the doctors, however embarrassing it may be.
Regularly check for blood in your sperm or discharge from your penis. If you do find anything unusual it’s a good idea to go and get an STI test. These are all symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.
Pain
Lastly, it’s important to remember that pain, in general, is usually a sign that something’s wrong: listen to your body when it tells you that something is amiss and seek advice from a doctor.
Advice given by Dr Elizabeth Kershaw-Yates, GP and one of the medical team at TheOnlineClinic
