Men: Take Better Care of Yourself

/

When men are young, they act as if they’ll live forever.  The modern saying “you only live once”, which usually precedes some not so prudent, albeit moronic behavior, perfectly illustrates this feeling of immortality.  As men age, this disregard spills over into the way they treat their health.  Healthcare for men tends to be reactive rather than proactive.  This means, unless something is broken, or chronically hurting, there is no reason to visit the doctor.  We are here to tell men to get it together, and get proactive.  Take charge of your health!

It may interest you to know that men die at higher rates than women for ALL the top causes of death, including heart disease, cancer and stroke. Statistically, women outlive men by 7 years, driving the point home that overall women tend to be healthier.  That doesn’t mean that women are immune to disease or don’t get sick, but it does show that women are better at taking care of themselves and bigger proponents of preventative and follow up care.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Many men follow the mantra “out of sight, out of mind” when it comes to their healthcare.  This unwillingness to make routine visits, or see doctors despite symptoms that may arise, magnifies the problem.  How can men expect to turn the tides and outlive women if they refuse to keep one step ahead regarding their health?  When it comes to staying healthy, it is important that we keep the body running like a well-oiled machine, rather than wait until it breaks down.

Generally speaking, following a healthy lifestyle, comprised of a health-conscious diet and moderate exercise, along with making routine doctors’ visits can help you live longer.  

Annual Health Screenings for Men

Screening exams and routine visits can add years to your life just by catching problems early so that they can be more easily managed.  If we look at the top health issues facing men, many are preventable or easily managed if found through early detection.

Global Health Concerns for Men

  • Colon and rectal cancer – The second-most common cause of cancer related death
  • Heart disease – A man's risk of cardiac issues increases after 45
  • Prostate cancer – dubbed the “silent killer” because symptoms are rare, and is the most common cancer among men
  • Stroke – Managing your high blood pressure can lower risk of stroke.  Diet and exercise can contribute greatly to lowering elevated blood pressure.
  • Diabetes – Many men are unaware of this but vision loss, kidney disease and erectile dysfunction are common symptoms.  Don’t ignore them.
  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease – Although typical to older age bracket, men as young as 40 can develop symptoms
  • Throat and lung cancer – Because cigarettes are a major contributing factor something as simple as quitting smoking can reduce the risk of these cancers