Depression is often thought of as a women’s health issue. Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience symptoms of depression, according to the Office on Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

But the truth is: Depression also affects men and in large numbers — about six million American men struggle with depression. Unfortunately, they’re less likely to address their depression than women. 

Most men aren’t too concerned about their own bone density. Understandably so. Bone thinning affects far more women than men. Take hips for example. Hip osteopenia is prevalent in 56 percent of women and 18 percent of men and hip osteoporosis affects 16 percent of women and 2 percent of men, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research. 

The year I graduated from medical school, 1982, a brave new world of cardiology was just beginning. Researchers conducting a trial of the drug lovastatin discovered it lowered cholesterol in a small group of patients with a genetic predisposition for dangerously high cholesterol. Patients with this condition were at substantial risk of stroke and heart attack and often died from these cardiovascular events at an early age.

Do you see your dentist regularly?

If you do, good for you. Unfortunately, only about two-thirds of Americans have seen their dentists in the last 12 months. That’s bad for their teeth, and it may also be bad for their heart. That’s because there’s a link between what’s going on in your mouth and what’s going on with your heart. We’ve known for a while that if you have periodontal disease, a common infection that leads to swollen, red and tender gums, you are 49 percent more likely to have a heart attack.

For centuries, doctors and public health officials have pointed to Ben Franklin’s famous mantra, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Can you really save money by preventing disease?

When the doctor-patient relationship works, patients experience better health outcomes. Research shows when patients are happier and reassured, they understand their health challenges and available treatments, and are more likely to adhere to doctors’ orders.

We think we know a lot about weight management and our metabolism. But there’s a surprising number of misconceptions about both — and that can make it harder for us to stay healthy as we age. Here are five misunderstood facts about your metabolism.

You probably hear a lot about your metabolism. From late night TV commercials to internet ads, the world is awash in solutions to speed up your metabolism. But what exactly is our metabolism and what role does it play in our health?

What is Metabolism?

Metabolism is the chemical process where nutrients are converted into energy or calories. It’s one of the most essential processes in our body. 

Irritable bowel syndrome, often known as IBS, is a complex condition that affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain and digestive issues. It’s believed that the root of IBS is disturbances in gut-brain interactions. Between 10 and 15 percent of Americans live with IBS. It’s difficult to get a specific percentage, as IBS screenings don’t exist. Doctors generally rely on a patient’s symptoms and tests to rule out other diseases to diagnose a case of IBS.

Even if you love your job, work can take a toll on your mental health. Commuter traffic, deadlines and technical glitches — even irksome colleagues — are a part of most people’s daily lives and can cause stress, anxiety and depression.

And mental health issues can also impact work performance. For example, unresolved depression has been linked to a 35 percent reduction in productivity and contributes higher rates of absenteeism – adding to work-related stress.