Research indicates that men who exercise regularly, eat healthily and eliminate cigarettes, excessive alcohol and control caffeine intake will experience more energy and vitality later in life, writes Dr Bhatti.

Men are increasingly looking at lifestyle, diet and complementary medicine as a ways of increasing longevity, relieving illness and improving health and wellbeing. Over the next few weeks, we are going to be covering men's issues such as prostate disorders/erectile dis-function, heart disease, high cholesterol, low testosterone, hair loss, weight issues, energy loss, anxiety/stress, depression, male midlife crisis, sexual problems and self image.

Preventative medicine is one of the key issues for men relating to health. More men than women are likely to ignore pains or signs of illness or decreased vitality. In some cases, conditions that develop into life threatening illness can be prevented if caught in time. Some men will go on for years complaining of certain problems without actually going to the doctor or health care professional. All men from their teens onwards should have regular health checks and be vigilant for any signs of illness.

Men can still fall into the trap of feeling that it is weak or not masculine to pay attention to health. They often leave it until they collapse before they go to the doctor. Remember, any sign of tiredness or weakness without an obvious cause, such as a late night, is a signal to look conscientiously at general health issues. Persistent or niggling tiredness means that your body is under some kind of pressure, either emotionally, psychologically or physically. A regular overall check up with a GP will rule out any obvious physical aliments. This is particularly important if there is a history of serious illness in the family, such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer etc.

It is vital that men pay more attention to their health. Medical research indicates that men who exercise regularly, eat healthily and eliminate cigarettes, excessive alcohol and control caffeine intake will experience more energy and vitality later in life.