12 questions men should ask for better health care
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12 questions men should ask for better health care
Men are not the best at making small talk with their doctor during a medical appointment. Once in the exam room, most men are ready to leave as soon as they have arrived, anxious to get the visit over with. Yet, these visits are a man’s opportunity to open up to their doctor. It is their time and their chance to be an advocate for themselves leading to better health care. It is not the time to clam up barely asking any questions regarding their health.
Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Part of that reason can be the fact men often find it difficult to discuss with their doctor what needs to be out in the open. Men need to ask specific questions that can make a difference in their healthcare and quality of life.
To help ease the transition into good, productive conversation the next time a man sees his healthcare provider, here are 12 questions all men should bring up to stay on top of their health:
1. Several members of my family have had heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. How do I know if I’m at risk?
Family medical histories help a doctor determine future health risks and sometimes may be a reason to recommend earlier or more frequent screenings for certain conditions. For example, if there’s a strong family history of colon cancer, regular colonoscopies should start earlier than the recommended age of 50.
A major risk factor of heart disease can be a strong genetic or family history that is important to share with the doctor. But, all men are at risk of the disease. Particularly if a man smokes, is overweight to obese, refrains from exercising, makes unhealthy food choices, and has a stressful life. Again, early and more frequent screenings for heart disease such as regular checks for high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia can help monitor a man’s health status to discover potential problems.
2. Are there any shots I need to update?
Keeping up-to-date on vaccinations is an important part of preventative health maintenance. Some of the more common shots a doctor will recommend are an annual flu shot, a tetanus booster every 10 years, and then any additional vaccines based on a man’s personal risk profile such as getting a hepatitis B vaccine, shingles vaccine, HPV vaccine or any updates on vaccines such as measles vaccine.
3. What annual tests do I need?
Part of an annual physical will almost always include a series of blood tests, a blood pressure check, and a testicular exam. A doctor will personalize testing based on a man’s personal and family medical health history, their age, and any concerns a man may have. From there, it can be determined what routine medical tests are necessary and when.
4. How often should I be regularly screened for prostate cancer?
There has been much debate on the frequency and when to begin screening men for prostate cancer. The American Urological Association recommends yearly screening with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam for men beginning at age 50. However, the PSA test can also be started annually at age 40, especially for men with a family history of prostate cancer and for African American men who are at a greater risk for the disease.
5. I’m urinating more than usual. Is this a problem?
Urinary frequency can be a common issue for men as they age. A common reason is when the prostate becomes enlarged known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 develop it and up to 90% of men over the age of 80 will have it. Any man experiencing frequent urination needs to address the issue with his doctor. Type 2 diabetes can also be causing frequent trips to the bathroom. A simple blood test can help diagnose this condition if present.
6. My sex drive is not like it used to be. What could be causing this?
A reduced libido usually signals low testosterone levels. Many men as they age will experience dips in their levels of this male hormone. Other causes for low sexual desire can include a chronic disease, medications, low levels of thyroid hormones, or stress. It is important for a man to mention this problem to his doctor to have a screening done checking his testosterone levels.
7. I haven’t exercised for a long time. Should I take a stress test before working out?
Starting an exercise program is an important step for any man in achieving good health. If a man has a high risk for heart disease, then he should talk to his doctor before starting an exercise routine. They may recommend a stress test which involves walking on a treadmill to monitor the heart and how it responds to exertion. Usually most men will be recommended to start off slowly working up gradually over time to a more vigorous exercise regimen.
8. Am I overweight and how do I tell if I am?
The easiest and cheapest way to tell if anyone is overweight is to measure their body mass index or BMI. BMI uses your weight and height to estimate a person’s body make-up to help a doctor determine what weight category a person’s falls into. There can be situations where using the BMI may not be an accurate measurement – men who are athletes with a high amount of muscle mass making their BMI reflecting a higher weight category or elderly men who have lost a lot of muscle mass.
9. I’ve been having pain in “fill-in-the-blank” lately. Should I be concerned?
When it comes to health, there are no bad questions. Anything that has been bothering a man from an ache or pain to feeling or noticing an unusual lump or growth should be brought to a doctor’s attention. It could be something very minor but it could also indicate a more concerning problem. Unless a man asks, he may never know.
10. I like to drink alcohol throughout the week – how much is too much?
Men should be honest about the amount of alcohol they consume as it does affect their long-term health. Their openness about alcohol consumption can help a doctor determine a man’s risk for certain illnesses or diseases. The standard drink recommendation for men is to consume no more than 2 drinks a day. Men who are over imbibing could have a drinking problem and should seek help from their doctor on how to reduce the amount.
11. From the tests you’ve done, what is my diagnosis?
Having tests or procedures done can be concerning. Once the results are in, a man needs to ask his doctor what diagnosis was found. If a disease condition was spotted, then questions such as what do we do next, are further tests or treatment needed, what are my choices, where can I get more information on my condition, or what is my prognosis, can keep a man informed on his health status making him more knowledgeable and in control
12. When do I need to come back?
Many health insurance plans cover the cost of an annual preventive exam. If tests are normal and a man is found to be in good health, his doctor can inform him as to when to return again. Depending on a man’s family health history or any current health conditions he may already have, will determine the frequency of when to see his primary care doctor.