Being physically inactive and mentally stressed increases health risks in men. What consequences can it lead to?

Our body needs proper care and support, and men often ignore health issues because of their busy lifestyle, lack of awareness, and unhealthy work lifestyle. This leads them to health issues like diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and colon & prostate cancer, which can be cured by regular testing and prioritizing health. 

Experts say that the number of challenges is increasing and goes unnoticed among men in India. This International Men’s Day, we prioritize men’s holistic wellness and encourage betterment. The ‘MendYourHealth’ campaign encourages men to care for their health through mindful activities, healthy lifestyles, and regular screening tests. 

A study found that 40% of Indian men don’t talk about their mental health openly because they think it's shameful to express emotions or take help. It's not their fault. Our society has created a background that makes men believe that expressing emotions is a sign of weakness. These stereotypes raise questions and severe health issues. 

Doctors say that awareness campaigns and education programs can break this stereotype and give men an emotionally happy life. Campaigns are undoubtedly a good way to break stigma and stereotypes, but you can start by talking and spending time with the men in your life to ensure their holistic wellness. 

Tele-Manas is a toll-free number launched in October 2022 to provide mental health services in India. This helpline data revealed that they have received over 3.5 lakh calls since its launch, among which the majority are young Indian men reporting major mental health concerns.  Most of the calls were regarding disturbed sleep patterns. However, the department also received calls regarding other health issues like stress, anxiety, and suicides, accounting for 11%, 9%, and 5%, respectively. 

A report by Tele-manas found that the majority of complaints are related to common mental disorders, where 72% of the callers fall within the age group of 18 to 45 years. This shows that young Indians are well aware of the importance of mental health and take preventive measures as needed. 

Men in India silently struggle a lot, especially because of the deep-rooted cultural norms, which make it difficult for men to express their emotions. These stigmas create a barrier and increase mental health crises among Indians. A report of Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India by the National Crime Records Bureau states that men make up 72.5% of suicide victims than women, which is one of the alarming scenes in the suicide rate among men in India. 

The year 2021 saw 73,900 male suicides, which exist among all age groups. However, men aged 18-59 contributed the highest, while suicides among daily wage earners saw a sharp rise of 170.7% between 2014 and 2021. This gives a clear perspective of mental health challenges faced by men. Despite these high rates, women lead in the higher existence of mental disorders like anxiety and depression. 

Studies found that women and men both go through mental disorders, where the former expresses it through depression and anxiety, while the latter describes it through aggression. Again, cultural and societal norms are a major reason behind it. 

This year, the International Men’s Day theme is ‘Positive Male Role Models’, encouraging more positive male influence in today’s generation, which uplifts people in the right way and stops the ongoing aggression among men. 

The National Library of Medicine found a connection between alcohol use and common mental disorders (CMDs) like depression, stress, and anxiety, which is twice as common as reported in people without CMDs. 

Alcohol drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are different; globally, 18.44% of adults drink alcohol, whereas 5.1% of people have an alcohol use disorder, illustrating that alcohol is the seventh leading factor for premature death and disability. 

Alcohol contributes a significant number to poor mental health among Indians, which creates a serious issue and leads to severe complications and emergencies. Studies found that 60% of the injuries reported in the emergency rooms and 18% of psychiatric emergencies are because of alcohol in India. 

Health Complications Among Men in India

Men’s issues are often linked with mental health conditions; however, being physically inactive also contributes to a majority of health complications. As per WHO, 45.4% of men in India were found to be physically inactive in 2022, a sharp rise from 22.4% in 2000. This gives rise to many health issues, like: 

1. Obesity- India stands third in obesity, where 38.67% of men in urban areas and 38.67% in rural areas are obese. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have the highest obesity burden, while Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have the lowest. Chronic stress leads to obesity, which increases the risk of health issues like hypertension, stroke, and diabetes. 
2. Prediabetes or Diabetes- Experts say that men are at a higher risk of diabetes than women, where 55.5% of men are at risk of developing diabetes from the age of 20. Currently, the prevalence of diabetes in Indian men is 1598 per 100,000 people. Men at risk of prediabetes can control it with lifestyle modifications, diet control, and regular exercise. 
3. Heart Diseases- The World Health Organization (WHO) found that heart disease is a leading cause of mortality among men in India, making it 1050 cases per 100,000 men. Also, experts and healthcare professionals say that men are at higher risk of catching heart disease than women because of excessive stress, anxiety, and alcohol consumption. 
4. Infertility- Infertility is not just common among women. However, 10-15% of men also have infertility in India. Factors like sperm quality, varicocele, and hormonal imbalance contribute to infertility. Seeking medical help and treatment options like IVF can aid in male infertility. 
5. Cancer- Healthcare professionals say that mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and stress may increase the risk of cancer. A study revealed that 60% of people are always stressed about getting cancer, which directly impacts mental health. Oral cancer is the most common cancer found among Indian men. However, 1 in every eight men is dealing with prostate cancer, making them vulnerable to psychological issues during the time of their diagnosis. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) found that the average male life expectancy has come down to 69.1 years because of an increase in diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, kidney issues, and liver damage. 

These health issues impact men's health drastically. Experts and healthcare professionals say attention to men’s mental and physical health with correct safety majors can prevent these issues. 

Redcliffe Labs, a purpose-driven diagnostic network in India, believes that quality diagnostics is the right of every Indian. Our awareness campaigns along with high-end diagnostic services, encourage people to take care of their health. 

This International Men’s Day, we encourage men to take care of their health by regularly screening, practicing self-care, and prioritizing holistic wellness. Explore redcliffelabs.com for health checkups and my health (our health blog) to stay updated about necessary measures for better health and well-being.