Author: Louise

Information to Encourage or Motivate You

Did You Know?
A man’s waist circumference [belly button level] should be less than or equal to 37” inches.
At present, only 48% of men engage in regular exercise.
People who are obese at 40 can lose up to 7 years of their lives.
If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day you will save over €3,100 each year if you quit.
Men on average wait 14 weeks between spotting a symptom of testicular cancer and seeking treatment.
An apple will give you more long term energy than a cup of coffee.
If every one walked for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week, 37% of heart attacks could be prevented.
Men who smoke are more likely to get a heart attack 10 years earlier than those that don’t.
Smoking has killed more people then both world wars put together.
Did you know that for over 50’s there is a blood test to check for possible prostate cancer.
The average life expectancy for men is 77 and for women is 81. The Traveller Health Study 1987 research showed that men in the Traveller community died 10 years younger than those in the settled population.
Prevent Skin Cancer by wearing a hat and sun screen.-
Any changes in bowel movements or passing blood need to be checked by your doctor to rule out bowel cancer.

Making Changes
Each little change in lifestyle that you make can make a big difference to your health.
If in doubt, visit your doctor.
Start getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Cut down on food portions and cut out fatty foods.
Give up smoking save the money in a separate jar and use this money to treat yourself
With any of these changes, be sure to
Take one day at a time
Mark your progress on a chart or the calendar
Have somebody to support you if you feel you are getting nowhere or feeling down
Have contact phone numbers of support services to call on if needed in making changes
t phone to call on if needed in making changes

Further Information From
Men's Health Development Officer Health Service Executive Navan Road, Kells, Co. Meath Tel: 00 353 (0)46 9280644.
WEBSITES:-
Men’s Health Forum in Ireland - www.mhfi.org Health Promotion Unit - www.healthpromotion.ie Cancer Society - www.cancer.ie Male Health Website UK - www.malehealth.co.uk

Supported by MHFI

Meath Primary Health Care Project for Travellers
2 Cannon Row, Navan, Co. Meath.
Tel: 046 9071679

MPHC—May 2010

Meath Primary Health Care Project for Travellers

Health Facts for Men

Information Leaflet

In November 2009 we completed a questionnaire with some of the Traveller men in our community. The information we collected has been used by ourselves and the Men’s Health Promotion Officer, HSE Dublin North East, to develop this leaflet.
The leaflet is supported by the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland

The Importance of Looking After Your Health

Knowing the Possible Challenges

The Importance of Lifestyle Choices

Visiting Your Doctor
By having regular checks with your doctor you can prevent problems from happening. You get to build up a relationship with your doctor so you can feel more confident in discussing your concerns with him/her.
You get good and up to date advice and treatment.
Have a health check up.
Get the facts about illness or prevention of illness.
You might be worrying over nothing.
S/he can diagnose and give appropriate advice and treatment.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your doctor or to question their answers.
Fact:- Early Intervention = Early Help = More Success
Stress - Signs and Management
Stress can be the start of a lot of major health problems and must be dealt with early. A lot of stress can be caused at home or at work. It can affect men’s health in different ways and everyone has their own way of handling stress. Signs and symptoms of stress include:-
Tips on tackling or preventing stress:-
Maintain good vitamin and mineral levels by eating a balanced diet.
Exercise regularly.
Talk about things.
Laugh plenty and often.
Focus on what you can change, not what you can’t.
Fact:- Being active can help work off stress and increase the feel good hormones in your body.

Make and Maintain Connections

Sleeping less/more	Excess use of alcohol
Poor memory	Eating less /more
Drugs misuse	Low self esteem
Mood swing or anger outbursts

Build On
Your
Strengths

Heart Disease
While heart disease can and in some cases does run in families, it is good to be up to date on health information available. A few simple diet and lifestyle changes can increase your life span by least 7 years. Controllable risk factors include:-
Being overweight or obese.
Diabetes
Cholesterol
Lack of exercise
High blood pressure
Smoking
Alcohol misuse
Diet (food types & volumes)
Let your doctor know of family history of heart problems. If the doctor gives medication it is important to take it as it is ordered. Look after your heart with proper exercise and eating the right foods.
Fact:- Men tend to get heart attacks 10 to 15 years earlier than women.
Detection & Prevention of Cancers
Along with general cancers, men are also at risk of testicular and prostate cancer. Early detection is the key for treatment and lifestyle changes are the key to prevention.
Testicular Cancer - is the most common cancer in young men age 15-45. If you can feel a small lump or swelling on either testicle or you experience dull aches in the groin go to your doctor. Learn how to examine yourself to prevent testicular cancer. Most men can still have sex and children after treatment for testicular cancer.
Prostate Cancer - If over 50 years any changes in waterworks need to be checked by your doctor as it may be the early signs of prostate cancer.

Healthy Eating
Exercise
To promote and maintain health, build up at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 days a week. Smoking and Alcohol
Since the 1970s there has been a huge increase in deaths from chronic liver disease amongst men aged 35-44. This is because of alcohol misuse. The current maximum recommended weekly intake of alcohol for men is 21 standard drinks [units]. 6 or more standard drinks on any one occasion is binge drinking. Liver disease is linked to alcohol mis-use.
You can see the benefits of stopping smoking in a short space of time. Get help from your GP or pharmacist to stop smoking. Passive smoking is also dangerous for health.
Fact:- Lung cancer is preventable - it is almost entirely caused by smoking, (95% of cases).

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Average 1.5 hours each to clear your system

[ie 1 unit]