Nov162022
Advice

As professionals within a male dominant industry and in support of men’s health awareness month, we thought we would discuss the importance of looking after our mental and physical well-being in the only way we know how…by comparing it to our trade! It is important to service and repair the human body just like the heating and plumbing system in your home, otherwise it might cost you more overall!

The human body has long been compared to a complex machine. Like real machines, the human body consists of multiple parts that work together to perform certain functions. In the case of our bodies, the primary function is to keep us alive. You can think of your doctor like a plumbing and heating engineer whose job it is to find the broken parts and fix them!

Book in a service

Similar to servicing your boiler, it is best to check in with our mental health regularly and catch any problems early before they escalate.

Everyone responds differently to the curveballs that life throws at them. Everyone feels worried and overwhelmed at times and looking after our mental wellbeing is just as important as caring for our physical ailments. Just because the symptoms are not obvious, it does not mean we should ignore them and hope they go away.

The stresses and strain of daily life get the better of all of us at some point, and that is why it is important to seek reliable, expert information to help us cope with life and live happier, healthier, longer ones – no matter what life throws in our direction.

Sometimes it is tricky to spot when someone is struggling. Check out this useful sign spotting advice for info on how to help a friend in need. Plus, there is always support available, here are some useful local resources for men’s health.

Prioritise vital components

Think of the skeletal system of your body like the frame of a house that is designed to hold everything together and encase all the treasured components. The system protects your organs to prevent injury. Think of your ribcage and brain like your boiler cupboard (protecting the most vital components). Prioritise fixing all your vital components first.

Your cardiovascular system is as simple as plumbing to understand:

  • Plumbing is all about getting the water to where it is needed. The blood is the water in our cardiovascular system. You need your blood to carry oxygen around your body.
  • As with the pipes in a plumbing system that provide the passage for water to get everywhere it is needed, your blood vessels are the pipes in your cardiovascular system.
  • Guess what the pump is? You’ve guessed it…the heart! Water does not go anywhere without a pump and your blood is the same. Your heart fills up with blood and then pumps to force the blood out and into the blood vessels.
  • Don’t forget the pressure. Too low and you will have an unsatisfying shower. Too high and the showerhead might come off! Your water pressure works in the same way within your cardiovascular system. The costly and dangerous problems in plumbing come when the pressure is too high, and your cardiovascular system can blow too and result in a heart attack or a stroke.

According to bhf.org.uk there are around 7.6 million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK: 4 million men and 3.6 million women. If you have not had one in a while, make an appointment with the doctor for a full MOT. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

Unblock and protect your pipes

Just like our homes, our bodies are full of pipes that all transport the goods needed to keep us alive and functioning efficiently. Some are small ‘pipes’, such as arteries which carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, and veins which carry blood to the heart.

However, the body has two main ‘pipes’ – the trachea (windpipe), which connects the throat to the lungs, and the oesophagus, which connects the throat to the stomach. If either of these pipes become blocked or damaged, then the potential associated risk and cost will be unforgiving.

Speaking of stomachs, our bowels and digestive system are a bit like blocked pipes or drains. When they are clogged up, things get smelly, nasty, and painful to be around until the blockage is cleared.

According to bowelcanceruk.org.uk, more than 2,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in people under the age of fifty. 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime. So, check your poo and get yourself to the doctor to be checked if you are at all worried or have noticed any of the tell-tale symptoms .

Check the nuts and bolts and general plumbing

The ‘plumbing’ system of our bodies consists of the urinary tracts of males and females, and the reproductive system of males. A dripping tap or leaky valve is not fun for anyone, it is not only annoying, but if left untreated, it can escalate into costly, damaging problems down the line. The same applies to humans!

Testicular cancer is the number one cancer among young men and yet the majority of those who are at most risk, do not know how to check themselves. Check out how to manage the details of the problem with this handy ‘how to check your pair’ guide.

Prostrate cancer is the most common in men, but if caught early it is very treatable. Keep an eye out for symptoms  and if you’re worried, head to your GP for advice.

If you are looking for a worthwhile cause this November, Support Men’s Health Awareness Month in any way you can. Even if it’s as simple as telling a friend about something you have learned in this article.