7 Health and Hygiene tips every man should follow

1. Is that the sound someone digging a borewell?

Let’s face it, most men snore. Apart from the nuisance value, snoring is related to obesity, which makes the muscles inside the throat lax, thus producing a vibration that comes out as a sound or grunt. In some cases it may be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea or OSA. This condition blocks oxygen from going to the brain and could be a cause of a stroke which may be fatal. To reduce snoring, try sleeping on your side instead of your back. If the snoring persists, consult your physician.

2. First eat, then drink.

Most Indian men have the habit of drinking late into the night and then eating a really late dinner. Drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea as there’s no food to absorb the alcohol and you get drunk much faster. Also, you end up gorging on fried snacks which you could easily do without.
It’s wise to eat a light dinner, snack or sandwich before heading to the pub. Lastly, don’t drink and drive, appoint a teetotaller to be the designated driver for the evening.
Find out what happens inside you when you have a drink. And why driving after that is a bad idea.

3. The smelly feet conundrum.

After a shower, spend a few moments to dry your feet thoroughly and dust with powder between your toes after drying. You’ll never have smelly socks again.

4. Cosmetics aren’t just for women.

The best time to apply deodorant is after a bath. The skin pores are open allowing it to get absorbed well so you feel fresh for longer. The same rule applies to moisturiser; apply all over the body especially the face. Now, you even get special cosmetics for men, so you won’t feel silly getting caught with your girlfriend/wife’s shiny pink bottle.
In a tropical country like India, you must not step out of the house without applying sunscreen on your face. Remember the sun’s rays penetrate deep on cloudy as well as sunny days.

5. That beer belly has got to go.

A beer belly could be a warning sign of a heart attack. Your waist should ideally be less than 35.5 inches. Males generally put on weight around the middle (apple shape), which is more dangerous than what females gain on their hips (pear shape).

6. Sexual dysfunctions are not that uncommon.

Sexual problems such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, loss of interest in sex and others can be deeply embarrassing and upsetting. The good news is that these problems happen to many men (studies show almost 31% of men have complained about sex-related disorders at some point or the other) and are usually easily fixable. Often caused by stress or excessive use of alcohol or tobacco, it's best to see a doctor to get the appropriate treatment.

7. Get a health check.

After the age of 35, get an annual executive health check-up done as a matter of policy. As the old saying goes, prevention is certainly better than cure.