Are you getting enough... from your body?

What man would turn down the opportunity of:

• more and better sex?
• feeling healthier and fitter?

Amazingly many men, particularly younger men, don't take the opportunity. Why? Well, it's all to do with something men aren't that good at. Looking after their health.

Many men just ignore health problems and hope ailments will go away. And we're not talking about serious illnesses, just common problems with skin, hair and digestion - all ultimately undermining self-confidence, self-esteem and …having a good time!

But there's no need to despair - most can be treated quickly and effectively by self-medicating.

Skinny dipping
Take your clothes off and take a look at the largest organ in your body. No…not that, we're talking about your skin! Notice any common skin conditions? Spots, blemishes, athletes foot, cold sores? Want to get rid of them? They are easy to recognise and easy to self-treat - here's how!
Spots and acne are the commonest skin disorders in young men. You certainly know when you've got them. The most important thing is to wash frequently (twice a day at least) with a mild unscented soap. If your spots do not clear up, get some advice on treatment from your pharmacist.
Sex warning: Got a cold sore? Then kissing and oral sex are out! That's an incentive to get down to your pharmacy - and while you're there, don't forget the importance of safe sex.

The cold sore virus can affect as many as 90 per cent of the population at some time and is highly contagious. Factors that trigger cold sores include strong sunlight, cold, fevers and stress. Early warnings such as itching, tingling, burning or prickling sensations demand attention. Treat with aciclovir cream (an antiviral) at the tingling stage.

See Symptoms & Remedies checklist for more information on treatments available.

Hairy moments
Bald is beautiful - or so some women say. But dandruff, hair loss and psoriasis (inflamed, flaky blotches) aren't so sexy and often take their toll on self-esteem.

It's a fact that everyone loses 50 to 150 hairs a day, usually due to stress or mistreating hair. To cope with hair loss, you could try using a treatment to stimulate hair growth.

Embarrassed by dandruff? That's understandable - it's an extremely common problem that affects nearly half the population at some time in their lives. Dandruff is unattractive but easy to treat with a medicated shampoo. If dandruff is accompanied by an itchy, inflamed rash consult your GP as this may be psoriasis.
See Symptoms & Remedies checklist

Currying flavour
Picture this - a heavy night out, beers, probably a curry, all resulting in severe indigestion, diarrhoea, nausea - that "never again!" feeling. Been there, done that, may well do it again at the weekend… All symptoms relate to the digestive system and are brought on by eating and drinking too much or eating spicy, fatty food. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help you avoid these problems. Taking an antacid as a tablet or a liquid neutralises excess stomach acid and works quickly.

With diarrhoea, ask your pharmacist about oral rehydration mixtures with glucose or antidiarrhoeals in tablet or capsule form. It also helps to take a break from all food and drink except for water and soft drinks. If you have recently been on holiday abroad and have diarrhoea you should see your GP, as you may have an infection that needs treating.

See Symptoms & Remedies checklist for more information on treatments available

Symptoms and Remedies.

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Fact or Fiction: What Every Man Should Know

It is amazing how ignorant many men are about causes and symptoms of common ailments that they are all likely to suffer from at some time in their lives. Here we put the record straight!

FICTION: Acne is caused by eating chocolate, fried food and having dirty skin. A number of factors can trigger or aggravate acne; the most important of which is the sudden increase in the production of male sex hormones around the time of puberty. Accumulation of bacteria on the skin and high humidity can also play a part in the condition.

FACT: 10 per cent of the population are thought to be suffering from athlete's foot at any one time. Athlete's foot is more common in adults than in children and is usually picked up for the first time during teenage years. Men are more likely to develop the ailment, partly because of the closed, heavier shoes they wear, which encourage sweaty feet.

FICTION: The most common cause of bad breath is the type of food you eat. The most common cause of persistent bad breath is poor oral hygiene. It is important to clean your teeth thoroughly for two minutes twice a day. Mouthwashes, freshener sprays and capsules are usually effective at masking bad breath. Some antiseptic mouthwashes also kill the bacteria that can cause bad breath. However, be careful, as over-use of breath-fresheners can make matters worse.

FACT: As many as 90 per cent of the population of the UK will be exposed at some time to the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. The initial attack, which usually occurs before the age of five years, often passes unnoticed. Most sufferers will usually have warning symptoms such as an itching or tingling sensation that may continue for 24 hours before the blisters start to appear.

FACT: Dandruff, the unsightly white flakes that appear in hair and on collars, are actually clumps of dead skin cells which are being continually shed from the scalp. Like the skin over the rest of the body, the scalp has a protective outer layer of dead cells, which loosen and drop off, to be replaced by new cells moving up from the deeper layers. It is when they clump together and start to flake off in much greater numbers that they become visible.

FICTION: Not everyone loses hair. Everyone loses on average between 50 and 150 hairs each day. Hair loss in men in most commonly due to the hereditary condition known as male pattern baldness, in which the hair first starts to thin out over the temples and crown to cause a receding hair line.

FICTION: The onset of heartburn is the first sign of a heart attack. Heartburn is an extremely common symptom, but if you've never experienced it before it can be alarming. The painful burning sensation under the breastbone can vary from a niggling discomfort to a pain so intense it may be mistaken for a heart attack. Heartburn is often linked to eating rich, fatty or spicy food, as well as acidic fruits and vegetables. Excessive chewing of gum can also be a cause as this simulates the stomach to produce acid. However if symptoms persist or are not helped by indigestion remedies within a few minutes, go to the Accident & Emergency Department of your local hospital.

FACT: As many as 40 per cent of men will suffer from piles at some time in their lives. Many men, though, will never go for treatment because they are too embarrassed or shy. Piles need to be diagnosed by a doctor, especially if there is bleeding, but can then be treated with over-the-counter medications to relieve discomfort.

FACT: Warts are spread by direct contact. There are 30 different types of wart. It may take any time up to 12 months for a wart to appear. The wart virus only affects the top layers of the skin.

Help is at hand

Take action now. You will feel better, look better and get results.

If you have any queries about symptoms or taking a remedy, you can get advice in three ways:

1. Call the Over-The-Counter Medicines Advice Line number on 0208 742 7042.
2. Call NHS Direct 0845 46 47 (where available). You could also phone your local pharmacist or GP.
3. Get out and visit your local pharmacy

Other Helpful Organisations

• www.askyourpharmacist.co.uk
• www.skincarecampaign.org