When it comes to mental health, men don’t always seek help when they need it. But maybe they should. June is Men’s Mental Health Month, so here are the most common mental health conditions men experience, the symptoms that may differ in men vs. women and what resources are available for those seeking treatment options. Common mental health conditions in men According to Mental Health America, the most common men’s mental health conditions are: Depression and suicide Anxiety Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Psychosis and schizophrenia Substance abuse “It’s a sign of strength to talk about these issues with your health care provider, counselor or a supportive family member or friend,” Piedmont Healthcare family medicine physician Dr. Siraj Abdullah said in a recent story. “As men, we tend to let stress build up until it affects our mental and physical health. Talking about your mental health is a way to take care of your body.” How men’s mental health symptoms may show up differently from women The reasons that mental health symptoms can be different for men and women are complex, according to Kathryn McHugh, chief of psychology at McLean Hospital in Boston. She noted in an article that “biology is not the only piece of the puzzle. There are also many social and cultural factors that play a role in mental health and wellness, such…  read on >  read on >

You’re due for a prostate exam, but you don’t know what to expect. So, what is this exam like? Regular check-ups are essential for maintaining your health, and a prostate exam is crucial to preventive care for men. Not only is it a screening test for early signs of prostate cancer, but it also helps detect other potential health issues. Here, experts walk you through what a prostate exam entails, when to consider scheduling one, how to prepare, and what the results might mean for you. So, dive in and learn more about this medical examination that every man should get at some point in his life. What is a prostate exam? Per the Cleveland Clinic, a prostate exam is a screening method to detect early signs of prostate cancer. Typically, the exam involves two main components: a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a digital rectal exam. The PSA blood test measures the levels of PSA in the bloodstream. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PSA is a substance produced by the prostate gland, and higher levels can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, it’s important to note that elevated PSA levels can also be caused by other prostate-related conditions and factors such as age and race. Medical procedures, medications, an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection can all…  read on >  read on >

Some short men really struggle with their lack of height, feeling that they are both literally and figuratively looked down upon by others. That’s why an increasing number of height-challenged men are turning to limb-lengthening surgery — an expensive, potentially painful, months-long procedure that will add a few extra inches to their frame. Limb-lengthening procedures have been around for decades, and have been typically used to correct illnesses and birth defects that cause one leg to be shorter than the other, said Dr. David Frumberg, co-director of the Yale Limb Restoration and Lengthening Program. “You basically convince the body that there’s a hairline fracture, and you allow the body to set up a healing response,” Frumberg explained. “Then you gradually distract [separate] the bone ends apart and stretch the healing response over the desired length.” Alfonso Mascolo, 64, of Wolcott, Conn., underwent the procedure in February to have his left leg lengthened to match his right leg. Polio had caused his left leg to be shorter since he was 6 years old. But new technology — in the form of a telescoping rod implanted inside the leg bone — has made it much easier to add inches to one or both of a person’s legs, Frumberg said. An orthopedic surgeon gently breaks a person’s leg bone in a way that maintains blood supply, and then…  read on >  read on >

Microplastic pollution is altering the gut microbiomes of wild seabirds and that could be a warning sign for humans, researchers report. Scientists from McGill University in Montreal, along with colleagues from around the world, found that tiny bits of plastic present in the gastrointestinal system of seabirds have modified the gut’s microbiome. The plastics are also reducing levels of advantageous bacteria typically found within the intestines. “Our discoveries mirror the conditions experienced by wildlife. Given that humans also ingest microplastics through environmental exposure and food consumption, this study should serve as a cautionary signal,” the researchers warned. Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. Scientists have long been concerned about microplastics, minute fragments of plastic about 5 mm in size found everywhere from deep in the oceans to isolated territories in Antarctica and in the fish people eat. “The gut microbiome encompasses the entire assemblage of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, crucially involved in regulating processes such as food digestion, immune system function, central nervous system activity, and other vital bodily functions. It serves as a pivotal indicator of overall health and well-being,” study co-author Julia Baak said in a McGill news release. She’s a PhD candidate in natural resource sciences at McGill. The research team analyzed the gut microbiome of two seabird species: the northern fulmar and the…  read on >  read on >

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that attacks the central nervous system and leaves patients suffering from a host of symptoms, and now new research finds life stressors can make those symptoms even worse. Poverty, abuse and divorce in childhood and adulthood can significantly impact the level of disability someone with MS experiences, according to researchers from Michigan Medicine. “MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults, and additional research is needed to identify these external drivers of disability that can be addressed or prevented, including stress, to improve functional outcomes,” said study co-author Dr. Tiffany Braley. She is director of the multiple sclerosis/neuroimmunology division and multidisciplinary MS Fatigue and Sleep Clinic at University of Michigan Health, in Ann Arbor. “This knowledge is needed to inform MS research as well as clinical care. Referrals to resources, such as mental health or substance use support, could help reduce the impact of stress and enhance well-being,” Braley added. For the study, the researchers used survey data from more than 700 people with MS. While the findings showed impact from both childhood and adult stressors on relapse after the start of the pandemic, the impact of childhood stress on disease lost significance when further accounting for experiences in adulthood. Studies on stress and MS that don’t focus on the whole life span may miss…  read on >  read on >

You’ve been diagnosed with depression. What’s next? The cornerstone of treatment remains antidepressants, so it’s likely your doctor will prescribe one for you, but which one might be best? You will join millions around the world who struggle with how to treat the mental health disorder. An estimated 3.8% of the global population experiences depression, according to the World Health Organization. The numbers are staggering, but when depression is left untreated, it can impair daily functioning, raise the risk of suicide and lower quality of life. Fortunately, there are many different types of antidepressants available, each with unique mechanisms of action, benefits and potential side effects. Here, experts will explore the most commonly prescribed depression medications, how they work and their common side effects. Depression medications Dr. Abid Nazeer, founder, chief medical officer and medical director of Advanced Psych Solutions in Naperville, Ill., stated, “If you don’t treat depression, there’s a risk that you may get through the day, but it will feel like a struggle. If it’s been adequately treated, you can have a much better day.” Meanwhile, Pardis Khosravi, a psychologist and clinical director at Children’s Health Council in California, said, “Depression is not something you can ‘power through’ or think your way out of with positive thoughts. It is a medical illness that left untreated can have a profound impact on your…  read on >  read on >

Be cautious when heading to Florida’s beaches this summer, an expert warned, as a 5,000-mile floating mass of sargassum seaweed has begun washing up on the state’s shores. It can be low risk in some instances, but it also has the potential for triggering serious respiratory health issues. “The sargassum itself is not dangerous. It can have different jellyfish and sea creatures in it that could be a source of sting,” said Dr. Sarah Shafer, medical toxicologist and an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. However, “once the sargassum washes up on the beach, in 48 hours it will start to break down and lose toxic gasses. As it decomposes, we have to worry about potential exposure to humans.” Sargassum can decompose in one of several ways. It can release ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic, she explained in a college news release. Even at low levels, hydrogen sulfide can produce the smell of rotten eggs. Yet when the gas reaches a certain level, humans can become “nose-blind” and not smell it. “At low levels, it smells like rotten eggs in the air. This happens in natural hot springs, like at Yellowstone. It can cause some irritant effects,” Shafer said. “In high levels, it can cause sudden death.” This can be a concern in closed-off…  read on >  read on >

Heavy users of marijuana might face an increased risk of bipolar disorder and depression, a new study suggests. The analysis of more than 6.6 million Danish individuals found that having cannabis use disorder doubled or even tripled the odds for most forms of depression or bipolar disorder. When it came to bipolar disorder in particular, “cannabis use disorder was associated with higher risk for psychotic than non-psychotic subtypes of bipolar disorder,” the researchers noted. These results, however, cannot prove that marijuana use was the cause of these conditions, the investigators said. “Our results are compatible with the idea that cannabis may increase the risk of developing depression or bipolar disorder, but we cannot prove this for certain, since we are working with observational data,” explained lead researcher Dr. Oskar Jefsen, from the psychosis research unit at Aarhus University in Denmark. “Unequivocal evidence would require a randomized controlled trial, but this would be unethical.” Still, one expert noted that while the study can’t prove that cannabis was the cause of bipolar disorder or depression, it adds to growing evidence that the drug is not harmless. “This is a powerful and well-conducted study that adds to the emerging evidence of the added risk of cannabis regular use to the development of serious mental health disorders,” said Beatriz Carlini, director of the Cannabis Research and Education program and…  read on >  read on >