In a world that praises youth and beauty, it’s not uncommon to find people who fear ageing. People aren’t always scared of the wrinkles and grey hair, but are scared of losing their body, their sexual desires and developing various conditions and diseases. But the truth is, many of these conditions can affect young men too. Here are just a few misconceptions that men have when it comes to ageing.
Impotence
Although erectile dysfunction is becoming less taboo, many men still think the inability to achieve an erection (also called impotence) is an old man’s condition. However, impotence is actually very common among younger men. Despite its common occurrence, many men do not get it checked out, which is concerning as erectile dysfunction is usually a symptom of an underlying condition like heart disease. Smoking, heavy drinking, poor diets and obesity also increases your risk of becoming impotent no matter how old you are.
Dementia
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, jokingly called “old-timer’s”, is very common in the elderly, but may start to develop in younger men. This is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and it usually starts in people between the ages of 40 and 50. There’s no known reason why it happens in younger people, and diagnosing it isn’t easy. If there is a history of Alzheimer’s disease in the family, make sure you speak to a neurologist and go for screening tests.
Incontinence
Can’t hold your pee in and accidently let loose a little urine before reaching the toilet? This is incontinence. While more common in older men, it can be found in younger men, too, though it’s usually a symptom of another disease, rather than a disease itself. If you do suffer from it, it’s best for you to see your GP or a Urologist.
Hair loss
Losing your hair isn’t always a sign of ageing; many men lose their hair at young age while others still have long locks way into their golden years. Alopecia, more commonly known as hair loss, is becoming more common in men, and has a habit of appearing at a younger age. Why? There are many causes for alopecia, such as stress, diet and smoking, but the main cause is believed to be genetics. If you have male family members who are a little light on hair, chances are you will be too. There is no cure for the condition, but the good news is, there are effective treatments on the market.
So you see guys, not every disease is an old man’s disease. If any of these things are happening to you, and you’re not sure why, come speak to our doctors about it. Subscribe to our Hello Doctor service today, and you’ll get professional advice whenever you need it. Our doctors are online every day and ready to answer your call! Visit our subscription page for more information.