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Males suffer specific health concerns just as much as any other group. Unfortunately,  a lot of men continue to avoid seeing a doctor even as they age and these issues get worse.  Even if they think something might be negatively affecting their health, it’s common for men to ignore symptoms or find their own solutions. 

Men might make up excuses and neglect the fact that many health issues are pointing to a preventable serious condition that needs the attention of a physician. Having an awareness of these common issues, recommended medications and dangerous drugs for men can help us keep a handle on health issues, even in the most stubborn cases.

dangerous drugs for menCommon Health Concerns for Men

If you are a male above the age of 40, an important change to note is that your body is producing less testosterone. You are also more at risk of developing:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes

The development of heart disease occurs in men about 10 to 15 years earlier than in women. It is one of top health threats to males, alongside cancer and unintentional injury.

Smoking and drinking to excess are also common concerns, although these apply across different genders and demographics. There are also various prescription medications that can be a problem for males specifically, which we’ll explore in the next section.

Dangerous Drugs for Men

In addition to the fact that many men neglect their general health by skipping trips to the doctor or self-diagnosing, there are also various drugs, devices, and supplements that make this trend even worse. Dangerous drugs for men can prevent loss of control of health issues, either because they bring on unexpected side effects or offer a false sense of security.

These are some of the other drugs that can affect men adversely:

Lipitor

You can take Lipitor to lower your cholesterol. It will lower the bad LDL-C levels and help your HDL-C or good cholesterol at the same time. Lipitor can help patients with conditions like:

  • chest pain who have heart disease
  • lower the risk of a heart attack
  • lower the risk of a stroke
  • and help when you have certain surgeries

If you have heart disease in the family, are at risk due to age, smoke or have high blood pressure in the family, your physician may use Lipitor to catch any health problems early.

Some side effects of Lipitor include: upset stomach, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain or changes in your blood tests. You should not take Lipitor if you have a liver problem or are allergic to the drug.

Taxotere

Taxotere is given to men who have active prostate cancer. Your physician may prescribe Taxotere as a chemotherapy treatment to control pain, gives you a better survival chance and quality of life. You may also be given Taxotere for the early stages of;

  • stomach
  • lung
  • pancreatic
  • bladder
  • or colon cancer

As an intravenously administered drug, Taxotere can be given in a higher dosage every three weeks, or as a lower dosage each week. The major problem with the higher dosage is that men complained of severe tiredness.

You may find that the lower dosage is more tolerable, but the tiredness may last longer. You may also see signs of weight gain or your feet and legs swelling. This may mean that you are retaining fluids. You should tell your physician.

Other side effects that your physician will keep track of is your low red-blood cell count. This may cause anemia, but medications can take care of the problem. Your white blood cells will also be checked. If they become too low, it may impair your immune system or you may get infections. If they become low, medications can help correct the problem. Your physician will keep a close eye on all your side effects.

IVC Filter

IVC or inferior vena cava filter, is a device used to block blood clots. Physicians used these to stop blood clots from traveling into the lungs, heart or brain.

If you have had a recent surgery and are bedridden for a long period of time, your physician may have used an IVC filter for clots. These devices are not meant to stay in place for long periods of time. They need to be removed, but many men do not go back to their physicians to have them removed. This can cause serious health problems.

Adverse effects of IVC filters include:

  • Headaches and confusion
  •  Shortness of breath
  • DVT or deep vein thrombosis
  • PE or pulmonary embolism
  • Chest pain
  • Tearing of the inferior vena cava
  • Internal bleeding or hemorrhaging
  • Death

The removal of the IVC does not take long and new devices are making it easier for their removal.

Invokana

Invokana is a prescription given to you by your physician to lower your blood sugar. It is given to people with type 2 diabetes. If you are a male, you could experience a yeast infection of the skin around your penis.

Symptoms include:

  • redness, swelling or itching of the penis
  • foul-smelling discharge coming from the penis
  • pain of the skin around the penis
  • or a rash around the penis area

Make sure you tell your physician about any kidney, liver or urination problems you are having before taking Invokana.

There are various negative effects associated with Invokana. You may become dehydrated and lose too much water from your body. This may cause you to feel faint, lightheaded, weak or dizzy. You would be at a greater risk of dehydration if you are also taking medicines to lower your blood pressure or already have low blood pressure.

The health concerns of mature male patients are just as important to monitor as those of women, children, and seniors. Men should schedule yearly checkups so physicians can catch the early stages of heart and cholesterol problems, address bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking, or any mental health issues you may be facing. You also have a tendency to take risks like driving faster and drinking more alcohol. These are preventable habits and with the proper help can be changed to enhance your life.

Men should schedule yearly checkups so physicians can catch the early stages of heart and cholesterol problems, address bad habits like smoking and excessive drinking, or any mental health issues you may be facing. Statistically, men are also more likely to engage in extra lifestyle risks such as driving dangerously, experimenting with drugs, or drinking to excess. These are preventable habits.

With a proper health routine, awareness of dangerous drugs for men and regular visits to a doctor, male health improves and the results inevitably enhance overall quality of life.

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