Why Men Are So Afraid to Check Their Gut Health

In June, after years of confusing stomach and intestinal problems, I finally shared my concerns with a doctor. This was the first time I mentioned my bowel problems to a doctor.

After a few questions, my doctor referred me to a specialist.

One caveat here: this interaction took place in June. From 2020. Over a year later, I still don’t have a follow-up appointment.

It seems that, like many men before me, when it comes to gut health, I foolishly would rather… stamp it out.

And every doctor I’ve spoken to agreed. “Men and women assess their health a little differently,” says gastroenterologist Dr. Sabine Hazan, who also wrote the book Let’s Talk Sh! T with the excellent title. “In general, women are more attuned to their bodies and are more aware of their symptoms. On the contrary, men are taught to be more stoic and to endure discomfort. “

“Interestingly, the stereotype of the stubborn man is more fact than myth,” says Dr. Ralph Esposito, a naturopath, and finds a 2019 Cleveland Clinic survey of 1,200 men that 48 percent turn to a spouse first when discussing a health problem and 12 percent see a doctor first.

“And when men open up about their bowel problems, it only happens 7 percent of the time, which means that men keep these concerns to themselves 93 percent of the time,” he adds. “Why? It’s a mixture of embarrassment, fear of bad prognosis / outcome, or reluctance to hear that they need to make any diet or lifestyle changes. Men are more embarrassed to say they have chronic gas or gas but all the more because as children they were preached that they should be strong and not complain. ”

Getting a proper diagnosis also takes time that men may not want to spend. “It takes nearly seven years to diagnose IBS in people in general,” says Dr. Kim Bretz BSc, ND, who states that bowel health is not life threatening in most cases. “I think for busy, successful, and wealthy men, it’s easier to just take the pill and be ‘okay enough’ than to take the time to get diagnosed and work on the underlying stuff. Nobody wants to say that they should lose weight, eat better and reduce stress. “

But sometimes it is impossible to just take a pill. Daniel Morris, co-founder of Fire and Saw (a website that focuses on fire pits, chainsaws, and other traditionally male gear) first noticed bowel problems a decade ago. “I was 24 and suddenly I had severe abdominal pain and debilitating diarrhea,” he tells InsideHook. “I never thought it was serious and I just expected it to get better. I remember some female work colleagues telling me to see a doctor, but that was the furthest away from me. “

Morris lost 40 pounds. over three months before seeking professional help. “I went to my doctor, whom I hadn’t seen in many years, who immediately sent me to a gastroenterologist. I quickly got an ultrasound, then a colonoscopy, and an MRI, and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, ”says Morris. “I thought the stomach ache and diarrhea were just a phase. I was in my own world and I was stupid. “

But the fact that Morris (finally) sought help proves that he’s actually pretty smart. And he noticed that what happens in your gut can have an exponential effect on the rest of your body.

“What many people don’t realize is that the gut is an extremely complex ecosystem and has a huge impact on the health of the entire body,” said Naveen Jain, CEO and founder of Viome, a scientific wellness company focused on gut health and nutrition focused. “90% of all illnesses, including irritable bowel syndrome, depression, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and even aging, are linked to the gut microbiome.”

Some Overlooked Topics For Men? Ulcers, which Jain says are twice as common in men as women, along with a higher risk of colon cancer (“Men should have regular screening after age 50”).

Fortunately, the bowel problems that most commonly affect men can be diagnosed by seeing a doctor and making some modest lifestyle changes. Dr. Hazan says she noticed acid reflux and constipation as common ailments in men. In fact, your remedies do not contain laxatives (“they are okay occasionally, but they strain your digestive tract”), but tend to avoid certain foods (bananas, chocolate, white bread) and medications (from antipsychotics to calcium supplements). while paying more attention to general wellbeing, from exercise to slower eating.

Unfortunately, she also suggests limiting coffee and alcohol consumption to one cup or glass a day. “Especially beer,” she says. “According to the American College of Gastroenterology, alcohol consumption is significantly linked to the presence of bacteria in the small intestine. And one of the characteristic symptoms of SIBO is excess gas. “

If it’s a food issue, experiment with different food options. “You need to find the right nutrition for your gut,” says Dr. Michael Rusico, author of Healthy Gut Healthy You, who says ulcers, GERD / acid reflux, gas, and gas are the most common bowel problems in men. “You will also want to manage stress, get some sunshine, sleep 7-9 hours a week, and maybe take probiotics or digestive enzymes.”

Unfortunately, there is no cure for what plagues the bowels of men. “We analyzed over 250,000 people and found that there are no universal foods or supplements that are right for everyone, and worse, the wrong nutrients for your body can do more harm than good,” said Jain of Viomen. “What is considered healthy for one person can cause low-grade inflammation in another, which in the long term can lead to chronic inflammation.”

The only universal answer, it seems, is to swallow your pride (and stupidity) and actively seek professional medical help.

This article was published in the InsideHook Newsletter. Join Now.

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/08/17/why-men-are-so-afraid-to-check-their-gut-health/