WELCOME TO THE MEN`S HEALTH AREA OF OUR WEBSITE
We at How Healthy is your Business? believe you can’t ignore the differences between genders when encouraging behaviour change and tackling health inequalities. In plain English, to encourage men and women to improve their lifestyle sometimes requires very different approaches. As an introduction, why don’t you try out the men’s health quiz below?
The National Men’s Health Forum (NMHF) takes the National lead on promoting, influencing policy, researching and improving men’s health (a link to their two websites are below). We worked with the NMHF in 2008 to deliver a conference for workplace representatives at the Middlesbrough FC Riverside Stadium. After some excellent presentations from Health professionals including Prof. Alan White, we asked the delegates in workshops what their male staff wanted in terms of health information and how they wanted to access services. The response we received has directed all of our development work since that time.
Since that conference in 2008, we have completed the following task (listed below with links to more information):
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• Developed and distributed a new ‘Local Men’s Health Services’ Leaflet
• Delivered Men’s Health Toolbox Talks to hundreds of males in workplaces across the Tees Area
• Developed a Weight MANagement service with our colleagues in community weight management. This is a male friendly weight loss programme at the Men’s Health Drop in.
• Continued to make the Men’s Health Tools for Life resources available for Workplaces.
• Developed the South Tees Men’s Health Network – An electronic network that anyone can join to stay ‘in the loop’ when it comes to our activities in the area.
• Led on an annual steering group to arrange and promote activities, themed and delivered around the Annual National Men’s Health Week each year.
If you are interested in getting involved in Men`s Health Week 2012, you can get involved by contacting Richie on 01284 284451.
• Worked in partnership with Middlesbrough FC in the Community delivering a range of services for a Monthly Men’s Health Drop in. See below for more information.
We want to be able to do so much more, but we can’t without support to our service. .
Are you thinking, how do I promote or access these services? The best place to start is by registering for the network by calling Richie Andrew on 01287 284451 or e-mailing him on richie.andrew@nhs.net.
Men often consult their GP when their symptoms have been present for some time, resulting in late diagnosis of potentially life threatening diseases, which if treated earlier could have been prevented or less servere.
If you experience any of the following syptoms, you should consult your GP. They may well not be a sign of anything serious but should be checked out!
1. Chest Pain - if it`s ongoing see your GP - sudden onset, severe crushing central chest pain that doesn`t go away at rest could indicate a heart attack - you should call 999.
2. Indigestion - if it persists for a few weeks and if associated with weight loss and lost of appetite.
3. Poor Urine Flow - although common as you get older, it should be checked out.
4. Abnormal Changes e.g. Lumps or growths - particularly a lump in the testicle. Be familiar with your body and know what is normal for you.
5. Skin Changes - changes in size, shape, colour, to freckles or moles.
6. Weight Loss - particularly if lost over a few weeks or months when appetite is normal.
7. Depression - can range from sleep disturbance, anxiety, poor appetite and low sex drive to feelings of self harm or suicide.
8. Bleeding from the Back Passage - athough common and usually a result of piles, if it`s new for you, get it checked.
9. A change in Bowel Habits - lasting for more than 2 weeks - go and see your GP.
10. Persistent Cough - lasting over a month, sooner if your coughing up blood, or accompanied by chest pain or breathlessness.