The Rotary Club of Greentown, in partnership with the Royal Ipoh Club, recently hosted a talk for its members titled “Men’s Health Matters.” Five eminent doctors discussed major health issues affecting men.
The first speaker was Dr. Arunakiri, Consultant Psychiatrist from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta. He discussed psychiatric changes in men. He described the changes that take place in males as they get older, one of which is dementia. He detailed the early symptoms of dementia as well as the steps to take in order to get assistance.
The second speaker was Dr. George Choo Eang Leng, Consultant Urologist from Pantai Hospital. He spoke on Prostatic Health in Men. He recommended all men over the age of 50 to get screened for prostate cancer. He then went on to talk about the different ways to treat prostate cancer, for patients who are healthy enough for surgery, he recommended a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy as an option as well. Radiotherapy and hormone therapy are some of the options for patients who are not strong enough for surgery.
The third speaker was Dr. Harnek Singh Badeshae, Consultant Physician & Geriatrician, Pantai Hospital Ipoh. He covered the effects of muscular ageing in men. Men have a bigger muscle mass than women; therefore they deteriorate and decrease faster. After 40, we lose 8% of muscle every 10 years, and after 70, 15%. He said exercising in your youth will slow muscle degeneration. Have a DEXA scan or a MRI/CT scan performed on your body in order to determine whether or not you have experienced a reduction of muscle mass. He urges everyone over over the age of 40 to undertake resistance training to boost muscular strength, reaction time, and balance. The majority of persons of retirement age suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and early detection is essential for correcting this condition.
The fourth speaker was Dr. Monesh Pillay, Primary Care Physician from Klinik Manalan. He spoke about Male menopause or andropause, a disorder that affects older males. Some of the symptoms are mood swings and irritability, loss of muscle strength and reduced ability to exercise, fat redistribution, such as a huge belly or “man boobs” (gynecomastia), and many more.
Lifestyle changes are the most prevalent treatment for male menopause symptoms. He recommends a 30-minute workout. Alternative treatments include hormone replacement therapy.
He also provided information about erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is characterised as the inability to obtain and maintain an erection. It has been stated that more than half of males between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from ED. So take solace in the fact that you are not alone. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about erectile dysfunction.
The fifth speaker was Dr. Jananee Muniandy, Primary Care Physician from Klinik Manalan. Mothers, often the primary carers, endure empty nest syndrome more than men, but research shows that some fathers were equally unprepared for the emotional change that occurs for instance, when a child leaving home for further studies or going away for a long period of time for work. Symptoms of empty nest syndrome can include depression, a sense of loss of purpose, feelings of rejection, or stress, tension, and anxiety over the child’s wellbeing.
The President of the Royal Ipoh Club, Mr. M. Pulanthran, expressed his gratitude to Rotary Greentown for hosting such a thought-provoking discussion for its members and expressed his delight that his members were able to benefit from this event.
Ms. Sangari Krishnan, President of Rotary Greentown and Mr. M. Pulanthran, President of the Royal Ipoh Club, exchanged mementos at the end of the event, which was followed by refreshments.
