June is Men's Health Month, and the American College of Emergency Physicians has suggestions for men to reduce risks and recognize when they need to go to the emergency department.
"Many men have a risky record of downplaying symptoms that could be medical emergencies," said Dr. Gillian Schmitz, president of the ACEP. "Men, and really everyone, can reduce their risks by focusing on prevention and promptly addressing any worrisome or unusual health issues."
Four of the most common reasons men require emergency medical attention are:
Stomach pain led to more than 3 million emergency visits in 2019 for men ages 15 to 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mild stomach pain can be treated at home. But when stomach pain is so severe it becomes hard to stand up or doesn't ease within 30 minutes, it's an emergency. It could be a sign of an obstruction or a dangerous internal tear. Continuous severe pain, or pain accompanied by unusual tenderness or stiffness, persistent vomiting, dizziness, or coughing up blood, can be signs of a life-threatening emergency.
Chest pain. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. However, many men ignore the warning signs of a heart attack or wait until symptoms become unbearable before seeking help. A heart attack is not always a sudden event, and delaying medical attention for chest pain can be incredibly dangerous. Warning signs include uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of the chest that lasts for several minutes or goes away and comes back. Less common warning signs for men include shortness of breath, nausea or dizziness, unexplained weakness or fatigue, heart palpitations, or cold sweats.
Back injuries. Men often overestimate their handyman skills or injure themselves during recreation or exercise. Common causes of back injuries include falls from rooftops, ladders and trees. Also muscle injuries after physical activity. Neck and back injuries should always be taken seriously because of the risk of paralysis or spinal cord damage.
Headache was the reason for more than a million emergency visits by men in 2019, according to the CDC. While most headaches can be relieved with over-the-counter medication or improving sleep, a "cluster headache" is one of the worst, often bringing intense pain behind one eye. Seek emergency care if headache pain does not subside with medication, if it's notably different from past headaches, or if it is accompanied by fever, confusion, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness, especially on one side of the body. A sudden severe headache with no known cause can be the sign of a stroke.
"This month is a good reminder for men everywhere to lean into self-care and healthy choices," said Dr. Schmitz. "But when there is any reason to believe a medical emergency is occurring, do not hesitate to seek emergency care."
Emergency physicians also advise regular check-ups, exercise, and routine cancer screenings, especially for prostate cancer, the most common cancer among men.