There are some alarming statistics regarding men’s health. More than 40% of Australian men over 40 suffer a serious health problem. Men under 75 years of age are almost three times more likely to die from heart disease, stroke or blood vessel disease than women in the same age group; and in men alcohol misuse results in about 3,000 deaths and 65,000 hospitalisations every year.

This year the theme of IMHW in Australia is Kick a Goal for Men’s Health – especially appropriate at the time of the Football World Cup.

Associate Professor Gary Wittert from the University of Adelaide’s Department of Medicine, writing in the Men’s Health Australia website, tells us: “Compared with women, Australian men of all ages are less healthy and, therefore, do not enjoy as good a quality of life as they should. All chronic conditions such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease occur more frequently in men and their life expectancy is five years less than that of women.”

The Australian male mortality rate (the number of deaths from all causes) is almost one and half times the female mortality rate. Overall for every two women who die, three men die. More men die at every age group than women, except for the over-65 age group.

According to Professor Wittert, it’s important that we identify the reasons for men’s poorer physical and mental health. Measures could then be developed and implemented to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and eventually prevent diseases.

It probably comes as no surprise to learn that men generally indulge in more risky behaviour than do women; and this behaviour pattern has been the case for many centuries.

Perhaps this is one reason why men don’t last quite as long as women. Compared with women, men are much more likely to die in accidents – traffic or work-related accidents – and be the victims of homicide or suicide. But the fact that some men occasionally behave quite badly is not the only reason that in Australia women live longer than men. This five year gap is quite common in other parts of the world as well; but the reason differs from country to country.

So, when young Australian men survive their aggressive adolescence, they are still more likely to indulge in dangerous lifestyle pursuits – smoking, eating and drinking to excess and exercising too little.

It’s fair to say that women appear to have biological advantage over men; women seem to have a stronger immune system; and the hormone oestrogen protects against heart disease and stroke – at least until after the menopause.

However, men are less inclined to visit the doctor, whether that be when they are ill, or just to have a regular check-up. They’re very much aware of the need for motor vehicle or other machinery maintenance, but ignore the need to protect their bodies from abuse, misuse or age-related deterioration.

In preparing to kick those men’s health goals and closing that five year gap, all men, and women who care about them, could check out the series of men’s health fact cards. They’re available from all pharmacies around Australia providing the Self Care health information. Call the Pharmaceutical Society (PSA) on 1 300 369 772 or log on to the PSA website at www.psa.org.au for the nearest location.

©2010 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

During the winter, football dominates the media. The primary local codes of AFL and rugby league take most newspaper column inches. But with the third game with the oval ball presenting a more international image by hosting rugby union tests against Italy and France; and now that Australia has qualified for the Football (soccer) World Cup next year in South Africa, the media sport space may be shared more evenly.

Meanwhile, people who like their sport on late night TV can have their needs satisfied by Wimbledon and “the Ashes” test matches. Whether it’s a team sport or an event for individuals, winning, even being able to compete, depends on keeping fit.

Not surprisingly, where there’s serious risk of contact in sport, there’s serious risk of injury; so the teams which finish at or near the top are likely to be the teams which treat their injuries most effectively – or better still, prevent them occurring in the first place.

It’s the so-called soft tissue injuries which occur most often; and while it’s the high profile players who hit the headlines when they’re suddenly out of action, in fact it’s the amateur sportsmen and women amongst us who suffer the most. We just don’t prepare well enough – for most of us injury prevention is not a sufficiently high enough priority.

Sports injuries don’t have to happen. Most injuries suffered by amateur athletes are preventable. Some injuries, such as tennis elbow, are caused by faulty movement, but most sports injuries occur because the muscles are not conditioned.

Roger Federer won five consecutive Wimbledon titles, chiefly because of his amazing talent. But his fantastic fitness and freedom from even niggling little injuries undoubtedly helped him stay number one for so long. Sadly Rafael Nadal’s nagging knee problems have prevented him from defending his Wimbledon title this year.

To help us better understand the prevention strategies and to choose the most appropriate treatment, if an injury does occur, pharmacists around Australia have fact cards available on sports medicine topics such as Exercises for Flexibility and Sprains and Strains. They are part of the Pharmacy Self Care health information program developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

A strain occurs when muscle fibres are torn or stretched and twisted beyond the normal limits. Sometimes just a small number of fibres are damaged; pain occurs but no loss of strength. But sometimes a complete tear of the muscle occurs, requiring more intensive therapy. Muscles often affected are the hamstring (back of the thigh), quadriceps (front of the thigh), the calf muscle and the groin.

Joints are held together and stabilised by ligaments. A torn ligament is called a sprain. Common sites for sprains are the ankle, wrist and thumb. The most severe of torn ligament injuries may require surgical re-attachment.

First-aid for a strain or sprain involves using the RICE protocol. That is, Rest from activity for 28-48 hours; application of an Ice pack (wrapped in wet toweling to prevent direct contact with the skin); the application of a Compression bandage or elastic stocking; and wherever possible, Elevation of the injured area.

More details about the RICE protocol are given on the Sprains and Strains Fact Card. During the period of RICE treatment it is also important to avoid certain things, namely: heat, which increases bleeding, alcohol, which increases swelling; massage, which can increase both bleeding and swelling; and exercise, which may worsen the injury.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen products – all now available without prescription – can help reduce the pain and swelling. But these medicines are not suitable for everyone. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using them. (Paracetamol taken in the correct dose may sometimes be the best pain relieving option.)

Similarly, anti-inflammatory creams and gels may be helpful. However, heat rubs and liniments should be avoided during the first 48 hours or while the injured area is still painful, swollen or warm.

Remember, you don’t have to be in the Tour de France to fall off your bike. Similarly, if you’re a weekend golfer or netball player, you’re still at risk. However, prevention strategies will reduce the risk appreciably. Warm up before and cool down after exercise. Use the correct footwear and the recommended protective equipment, maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, and check out more simple self-help tips on the Pharmacy Self Care fact cards.

To locate the nearest pharmacy providing the Self Care health information, phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772, or go to the website www.psa.org.au

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Life expectancy in Australia is second only to that in Japan. Death rates from cancer, heart attack and stroke are falling; and smoking rates are declining to be amongst the lowest in the world.

On the other hand, diabetes is on the increase – prevalence has doubled in the last 20 years. And new studies have shown we are now the fattest country in the world, having just overtaken the United States. Of course, obesity and diabetes are not unrelated.

Another area which, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Report, needs to be addressed is physical inactivity. Certainly attention to diet and exercise should be the easiest way to halt the diabetes epidemic.

There’s no doubt we Australians love our sport; we’re almost spoilt for choices. But maybe there’s too much spectating and not enough participating; especially as we get older.

However, to keep fit, our exercise doesn’t have to be over vigorous; walking, swimming, cycling, dancing – whatever takes our fancy – whatever we enjoy most is going to suit us best.

For instance golf, one of Australia’s most popular sports, has been described as just a way to spoil a good walk. Indeed the average golfer playing an 18-hole game walks about seven kilometres; however, a study from Sweden gives some justification for spending more time on the golf course.

A report in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport states that golfers have an annual decrease in mortality (chance of dying) of 40%. Apparently the lower handicap players have the greatest health benefits. The conclusion was the more golf the better.

With any activity there are risks as well as benefits. The risk from playing golf is low compared with other sports, but common golf injuries include injuries to the lower back, shoulder, elbow and wrist. Proper technique and warming up and cooling down exercises will reduce the risk to next to nothing. Lawn bowls is another low impact sport, but even so, injuries do occur. Falls are the most frequent cause with most players over the age of 55. Osteoporosis is highly likely in this age group, so what would normally be simply a sprain or strain could result in a life threatening fracture.

Again, good preparation is important – warm up and stretch exercises, and skills and technique training to improve balance.

During the winter, it seems football dominates our thoughts. The primarily local codes of AFL and Rugby League take more column inches of the papers than probably all other sports put together; but with Rugby’s international theme there’s increasing interest in the third game with the oval ball; and Australia’s move to the next phase of the qualifying rounds of the World Cup means Soccer is once again the focus of attention. Now, with the Olympic games less than two months away, there’s a much wider range of sports for us to consider.

With regard to injuries while it’s the high profile players who hit the headlines when they’re suddenly out of action, in fact it’s the amateur sportsmen and women amongst us who suffer the most. We just don’t prepare well enough – injury prevention is not a sufficiently high enough priority.

Sports injuries don’t have to happen. Most injuries suffered by amateur athletes are preventable. Some injuries, such as tennis elbow, are caused by faulty movement, but most sports injuries occur because the muscles are not conditioned.

To help us better understand the prevention strategies and to choose the most appropriate treatment, if an injury does occur, pharmacists around Australia have fact cards available on sports medicine topics such as Exercises for Flexibility and Sprains and Strains. They are part of the Pharmacy Self Care health information program developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Remember, you don’t have to be in the Tour de France to fall off your bike. Similarly, if you’re a weekend golfer or netball players, you’re still at risk. However, prevention strategies will reduce the risk appreciably – check out the simple self-help tips on the Pharmacy Self Care fact cards.

To locate the nearest pharmacy providing the Self Care health information, phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772 or check out the website www.psa.org.au

©2008 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia