Men's Health and Lupus

10 Foods to Boost Men's Health 

~ Oysters   (high in zinc)

~ Bananas   (high in potassium)

~ Fatty Fish   (high in Omega 3 fatty acids)

~ Broccoli  (heart disease and cancer preventing nutrients)

~ Brazil Nuts   (high in magnesium and selenium) 

~ Whole Grains   (high in fiber and Vitamin B)

~ Plant Stanols   (lower blood cholesterol levels)

~ Soybeans   (high in isoflavones) 

~ Berries and Cherries   (high in anthocyanin) 

~ Red-Orange Vegetables  (high in vitamin C and beta-carotene)

This week is National Men's Health Week, well depending on the source it is National Men's Health Month. This is the perfect time to address Lupus in Men.  Many think of Lupus as a women's disease.  Men can and do suffer from Lupus as well.  It can occur in men of any age, just as with women.  I have come across several men of various ages and ethnicities who have Lupus, and they have the same issues that women have. 

Before puberty, about 1 male will develop Lupus for every 3 females.  In teens and adults, 1 male will develop Lupus for every 10 females.  After the age of 50, 1 male develops Lupus for every 8 females.  These gender differences are seen in only systemic lupus, not in cutaneous (skin) Lupus.  

Males have similar symptoms as females, including joint pain, skin rash and extreme fatigue. The clinical course of Lupus is about the same in both genders.  Males are treated with the same therapies as females.  Some researchers have found that later manifestations of the disease differ between sexes.  Studies have found more severe kidney, nerve and blood vessel disease in males with Lupus compared to females with Lupus. However, there is no great evidence to support a significant difference in severity of Lupus in males and females.  

Researchers are now studying Lupus in aging males.  Young men with Lupus have normal levels of hormones.  Their Lupus activity is usually much worse than older men. Late-onset Lupus may depend on lower levels of male hormones.  (LFA)

Quick Facts:

~ Young men with Lupus have normal reproductive histories.

~ Lupus should not affect their ability to be sexually active.

~ Men with Lupus may not be able to continue working to support his family.

~ They may have difficulty with tasks requiring physical labor.

~ Stress may be caused by the inability to carry on the traditional male role.

~ Men can have hair loss, weight gain and skin rashes.

~ Men are more concerned with loss of job and change of job.

~ False sense of "loss of masculinity" and loss of independence is difficult.