Father’s Day: Looking after the men who look after us

Many men grow up believing they must always be strong and never complain

Dr Tendai Zuze
Health Matters
FATHER’S Day is a time to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who have helped shape our lives.
We often thank them for providing for their families, fixing problems, offering advice and making sacrifices.
What we sometimes forget is that fathers are human too. They get sick, they get tired and they face many health challenges, often without saying much about them.
Many men grow up believing they must always be strong and never complain. As a result, fathers often continue going to work, paying bills and supporting their families even when they are not feeling their best. Some delay seeking medical attention until a condition becomes serious.
High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions affecting men. It can exist for years without causing symptoms, slowly damaging the heart, kidneys and blood vessels. Many fathers only discover they have high blood pressure during a routine medical examination or after developing complications like a stroke or a heart attack.
Heart disease is another major concern. Fathers often carry the responsibility of supporting their families financially and emotionally. The stress that comes with these responsibilities, together with poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Diabetes is becoming increasingly common.
A father living with diabetes may experience tiredness, frequent urination, excessive thirst, poor wound healing and changes in vision.
Diabetes can also affect the nerves, kidneys and heart if not properly controlled.
Many fathers struggle with being overweight or obese. Long working hours, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits can contribute to weight gain.
Excess weight increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnoea and joint problems.
Sleep problems are often overlooked. Some men suffer from sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. These fathers may snore loudly, wake up feeling tired and struggle with daytime sleepiness. Poor sleep can affect mood, concentration, work performance and overall health.
As fathers get older, prostate problems become more common. An enlarged prostate can cause frequent urination, especially at night, difficulty passing urine and interrupted sleep. These symptoms may seem minor, but can significantly affect quality of life.
Many fathers also live with chronic pain. Back pain, neck pain, arthritis and old sports or work-related injuries are common.
Years of manual labour, driving, lifting heavy objects or physical work can take their toll. Living with pain can make a person irritable, tired and less active than before.
Mental health is another important issue.
Stress, anxiety and depression do not only affect women and young people. Men experience them too. Unfortunately, many fathers find it difficult to talk about their emotions.
Instead of saying they are struggling, they may become withdrawn, angry, quiet or spend more time alone. Sometimes what appears to be a bad mood is actually a sign of emotional distress.
Work-related stress can also have a significant impact on health. Fathers often worry about providing for their families, paying school fees, supporting relatives and planning for the future. Ongoing stress can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, stomach problems, poor sleep and depression.
Some fathers struggle with hearing loss, particularly those who have worked in noisy environments such as factories, mines, workshops or construction sites. Hearing difficulties can affect communication and may lead to frustration and social isolation.
As men age, they may also develop vision problems, reduced mobility, memory difficulties and other chronic conditions that affect their independence and confidence. These changes can be difficult to accept, especially for men who have spent their lives being active and self-reliant.
This Father’s Day, let us remember that fathers need care too. They need regular medical check-ups, healthy lifestyles and support from their families. More importantly, they need understanding. A father who seems tired, forgetful, irritable or withdrawn may not simply be getting older. He may be dealing with a health condition that requires attention.
Let us encourage the fathers in our lives to have their blood pressure checked, monitor their blood sugar, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and seek help when something does not feel right. Let us also remind them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of wisdom.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us thank fathers not only for what they do for us, but also take time to look after them.
The men who have spent years caring for others deserve care, patience, understanding and support in return.