The month of June — which is also when Father’s Day is celebrated — is dedicated to raising awareness for diseases that affect the health of men, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Men’s Health Month, based on a congressional health education program, is celebrated across the country with screenings, media appearances, health fairs, and other health education and outreach programs. Anyone can join the activities.
“The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys,” according to the Men’s Health Month website. “This month gives healthcare providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.”
“The response has been overwhelming with thousands of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe,” the site states.
The activities of Men’s Health Month are organized by the Men’s Health Network, which is part of the Combined Federal Campaign, while the website is maintained with the help of supporters’ donations.
BPH is a common disease among men, especially older men. It consists of an enlarged prostate gland, which causes problems with urination. Health experts believe that nearly all men will eventually suffer from BPH at some point, which is why the condition is also in the spotlight of Men’s Health Month.
This condition causes symptoms like frequent or an urgent need to urinate; increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia); difficulty starting urination; weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts; dribbling at the end of urination; straining while urinating; and inability to completely empty the bladder. While BPH is often a normal part of the aging process, there are ways to prevent complications, ease the symptoms of the disease, and improve patients’ quality of life.
Anyone can participate in the celebrations of Men’s Health Month and help raise awareness about BPH and other diseases that affect men. Men can plan a “Wear Blue Day,” host a health fair or mini health fair, or raise funds for the Men’s Health Network (MHN) with a 5K walk or by putting donation jars at local restaurants and stores.
Men can also create awareness for men’s health by distributing brochures and other Men’s Health Month informational resources, asking at churches or other organizations to talk about the Men’s Health Month, asking their municipal governing bodies to issue a resolution recognizing National Men’s Health Week, alerting the media, or inviting community members to participate, among other initiatives.
The Men’s Health Network offers free event planners at www.mhnhealthzone.com, and participants can see what others are planning and share their projects here: http://bit.ly/1s3b22A.
BPH News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.