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King Charles III -

On January 17, 2024, Buckingham Palace issued a statement about the health of King Charles III. "In common with thousands of men each year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate. His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure." 

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Benign prostate enlargement -

A benign prostate enlargement is an uncomfortable condition common in men over 50. The enlarged prostate obstructs urination, causing symptoms like difficulty urinating, inability to fully empty the bladder, and the need to urinate more frequently. The benign form of this condition is not linked to prostate cancer and can be treated with medication or surgery. Untreated, it can lead to more unpleasant issues such as recurring UTIs or bladder stones. 

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Always get checked -

While benign prostate enlargement isn't a cause for concern, similar symptoms may be indicative of a more serious health problem. Click on to learn about them, as well as the other symptoms that men should never ignore. 

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Changes in urination -

Difficulty peeing, pain, and changes in urine stream and frequency of urination (including getting up at night to go to the bathroom) are all warning signs that shouldn't be ignored.

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Changes in urination -

All of these symptoms can be linked to prostate cancer. Like other types of cancer, the earlier detected, the more chances you have to survive. As such, it is really important to keep track of any changes in urination and get it checked out by a doctor.

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Chest pain -

Not all chest pain will indicate a serious problem, such as a heart attack, but it should never be ignored. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in many countries, including the US.

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Chest pain -

You should get it checked out by a doctor, especially if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or sweating.

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Chest pain -

"This can be a sign of angina or ischemic heart disease and can be a precursor for a heart attack or myocardial infarction, which can be deadly," explains instructor of clinical science Dr. Brett A. White.

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Sudden weight gain or weight loss -

Sure, most of us have weight fluctuations, but these are usually small. And when they’re not, they usually occur over a larger period of time.

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Sudden weight gain or weight loss -

If you lose or gain about five pounds (2.26 kg) or more, without any changes in your exercise routine or diet, in a short period of time, then this may be a sign of a thyroid disorder such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid).

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Changes in stools -

You should be checking your stools for color, consistency, and any changes in general. Red or black stools may indicate the presence of blood, and this is a warning sign that something is not quite right.

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Changes in stools -

Passing blood in the bowels is perhaps the most worrisome sign that could indicate colon cancer," says Dr. White. Early detection of colon cancer improves the survival rate dramatically. So if you spot anything different in your stools, get it checked out ASAP.

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Numbness or tingling -

If you feel this in your arms, hands, or feet, it can be cause for concern. Indeed, there are many conditions that can cause numbness and tingling, such as arthritis, pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes.

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Numbness or tingling -

It could also be a symptom of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), which is caused by overuse movements and injuries. TOS is more common in men, especially if they are/were athletes. "TOS occurs when the blood vessels and nerves in between your collarbone and upper ribs (or thoracic outlet) become compressed, causing pain and/or numbness in your neck, shoulders, arms, and fingers," explains vascular surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Apple.

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Leg cramps -

Leg cramps can happen when there is excessive exertion or dehydration. But if these occur when you are simply walking, then it might be a sign of intermittent claudication, which is essentially the obstruction of arterial flow.

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Leg cramps -

This means that blockages in the arteries prevent the necessary amount of blood reaching your muscles, and they can cramp up. If you experience this, then vascular disease should be looked into.

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Enlarged testicle(s) -

A swollen testicle and/or feeling of heaviness might indicate trauma or infection. It can be caused by fluid buildup or varicocele (enlargement of the veins), but it can also be a sign of something more sinister, like cancer.

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Enlarged testicle(s) -

Testicular cancer usually manifests as a small painless lump, but there can be some enlargement associated with it. Younger men, usually under 40, are at higher risk

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Dry mouth -

Dry mouth occurs when not enough saliva is produced. Sure, dehydration can cause it, but if this is not your case and you start to experience dry mouth, don’t ignore it. First, it’s important to establish whether you have started to take any medication. If so, dry mouth may well be a side effect.

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Dry mouth -

If this is the case, talk to your doctor, as dry mouth can lead to other oral health problems, such as bad breath and cavities. Dry mouth can, however, also be a symptom of many other conditions, namely diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, among others.

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Irritability and excessive anger -

We all get a bit annoyed from time to time, and that’s normal. What is not normal is to be excessively irritable and angry all the time. This may in fact be a symptom of low testosterone, or indeed an underlying mental health issue.

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Irritability and excessive anger -

Bursts of anger and excessive irritability can be a sign of depression in men, so seeking support should be your priority if you feel this way.

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Irritability and excessive anger -

Men are more likely to put an end to their lives when facing mental health issues. "It's important to destigmatize men's mental health and normalize self-care. Seeking the support of a licensed mental health therapist can literally save lives," says counselor Hannah Milford.

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Erectile dysfunction -

The inability to have and sustain an erection is soul crushing and indeed an embarrassing topic for many men. As such, many don’t get it checked out. But while ED may be related to lifestyle and things such as stress, it may also indicate other, more serious, health problems.

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Erectile dysfunction -

ED can also be a sign of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hormone imbalance, and diabetes. Not to mention mental health issues.

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Dizziness or facial flushing -

Have you felt a bit lightheaded and like blood rushed to your head? It may be a sign of hypertension. High blood pressure doesn’t always come with symptoms, but when it does this is one of them.

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Dizziness or facial flushing -

If left untreated, hypertension can increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, and developing kidney disease. It can literally kill you.

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Weak grip -

When accompanied by tingling, as mentioned previously, a weakened grip can be a sign of thoracic outlet syndrome.

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Weak grip -

Grip strength does play an important role in our overall well-being, and any loss in strength should not be overlooked. "The ability to stay active and independent often begins with our hands. Weak grip strength can limit your enjoyment of many life pleasures, so you need to ensure your hand and grip strength always are up to the task," says physical therapist Maria Cole.

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Hand or finger discoloration -

This can happen in the cold, but can also be a sign that your circulation is not quite right. Oxygenated blood is red, and it makes your fingers look pinkish, not white, purple, or blue. This blueish hue caused by poor circulation is called cyanosis.

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Hand or finger discoloration -

If your fingers have a purple or blue discoloration, this may be a sign of Buerger's disease, Raynaud's syndrome, or Achenbach syndrome.

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Neck or shoulder pain -

We all feel a bit achy from time to time, but a throbbing pain without any indication of trauma can be a warning sign. If there is tingling or numbness associated with it, it may well be a sign of nerve compression in your spine.

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Neck or shoulder pain -

Pain in these areas can also be a sign of osteoarthritis, as well as thoracic outlet syndrome, which compresses the blood vessels and nerves between the collarbone and the ribs.

Sources: (Statista) (Health Digest) (CDC) (Cleveland Clinic) (Verywell Health) (The Guardian) (Mayo Clinic) (American Heart Association) (Healthline)

See also: Things you may not know happen to men's bodies

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