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I’m sure it comes as no surprise when you hear that women are outliving men by almost 4.5 years, and for largely preventable reasons, according to Movember, the leading charity changing the face of men’s health.
This article is about the steps men can take to live healthier lives.
Find a physician
Why is it that I often hear from my male patients that their wife, girlfriend, or mother has pushed them to come to my office? If you don’t have a primary care provider, physician, or nurse practitioner that you trust, then you need to find one. Don’t wait for chest pain, disease symptoms, or even a nudge from a concerned wife or friend to see your healthcare provider.
To find a new provider, ask friends and family who their medical provider is and if they are happy with them.
Think of making a medical appointment as maintenance for your body, just as you would bring your car in for inspections. The cost of an annual exam, where we can talk about and monitor your health, is much cheaper than a $5,000 emergency room bill when an injury or symptom sneaks up on you.
Be preventative
Preventative measures, including screenings, are the first steps to keeping yourself healthy and finding problems early. At 50, you should talk to your provider about prostate cancer and whether having a PSA test is right for you. If someone in your family has had prostate cancer, you should be talking about it earlier, age 45. If you are African or of Caribbean descent, 45 is your number too.
Colon cancer screening is also recommended at age 45. Talk to your provider about options. The key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early is getting regular screenings, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults age 45-75 be screened for colorectal cancer. The Task Force recommends that adults 76-85 years old talk to their doctor about screening.
Heart disease
Again according to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are the key risk factors for heart disease.
Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including:
• Diabetes
• Overweight and obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use
A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found men who often felt anxious or overwhelmed developed heart disease risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol at a faster rate than their less-worried peers. The biggest worriers had a 10% to 13% greater chance of eventually accumulating six or more risk factors, compounding the risks for heart disease and stroke associated with normal aging.
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking can be difficult. There are a few methods to help.
First, if you do plan to quit smoking, enlist your partner to quit with you. Quitting together increases the chances of success.
A great resource is the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (866-NY-QUITS (8487)) to apply for a free starter kit of nicotine medications and to talk to a quit coach. Again, you should talk to your medical professional before starting any program.
Physical and social activity
As we get older it’s very common to become sedentary — staying home and watching TV. Young people are often glued to their video games. Social and physical activities are important to your overall health. Walking is one of the easiest exercises, but the hardest part is just getting started. Often setting a specific time each day will motivate you to move. Walking with a friend makes it much more pleasurable and gets you the social stimulation you need.
Need a more vigorous social life? When was the last time you reached out to a friend or family member to get together? Don’t wait to hear from others, take the initiative yourself. Haven’t seen your child or children in a while, make time for them. Meet them out for whatever activity makes them happy. You’ll be happy you did it!
Next step
Be sure to have your own primary care provider. If not, please call Finger Lakes Community Health to find the provider that’s best for you. We have eight offices in the Finger Lakes, and I’m sure you can find a seasoned professional that can help you stay healthy and happy for years to come. Call us at 315-781-8448.
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