NFL's Randy Moss Battling `Internal' Health Issue, Urges Men To Get Blood Work; Important Tests for Men Over 4

NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss has made a big disclosure on a serious health issue he is facing while asking his fans to pray for him and his family. Despite making the reveal, the ESPN football analyst has not disclosed details of the illness he might be battling but pointedly told "all you men" to "get your blood work done and we'll work through it."

Moss talked about his health in two Instagram posts while flanked by former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and retired quarterback Alex Smith on the set of NFL Countdown. "People were talking about my eyes last week," Moss said as he put on a pair of sunglasses and turned the camera toward Ryan, who also appeared to don spectacles in support of Moss.

"I'm battling something, man, and it's something internal. Your boy is going to get through it," Moss continued. "I got a great team of doctors and got a great family around me."

During the broadcast, Moss addressed his use of sunglasses while on camera.

"If y'all see me with these ... it's not because I'm being disrespectful because I'm on television; it's because I'm battling something," Moss told the ESPN audience. The 47-year-old has played over 14 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.

Why are health screenings important for men over 40?

According to experts, it is important for men over 40 years of age to get regular health checkups and screenings to rule out catching any kind of condition, which can be treated when diagnosed early. The data from the National Center for Health Statistics says nearly 26 percent of men in the United States do not have a regular source of healthcare.

A few important screenings for men screening guidelines for men ages 40-64 years include:

Blood pressure

According to experts, you must have your blood pressure levels checked at least once every year, especially if you have type 2 diabetes, heart issues, kidney problems, are overweight, are black, and have a first-degree relative with high blood pressure.

Your blood pressure top number is from 120 to 129 mm Hg, or the bottom number is from 70 to 79 mm Hg If the top number is 130 mm Hg or greater, but lower than 140 mm Hg, or the bottom number is 80 mm Hg or greater but lower than 90 mm Hg, this is considered stage one hypertension.

Colorectal cancer screening

If you are 40 years and older, talk to your doctor about getting screened, especially if you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps. Screening may also be considered if you have risk factors such as a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.

You can get a stool-based fecal occult blood (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test every year, a stool DNA test every 1 to 3 years, and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.

Immunizations

Commonly needed vaccines over the age of 40 years include:

You should have an annual screening for lung cancer with a low dose computed tomography if you are 50-80 years old and have been a smoker all your life.