Men’s Health Month: Own Your Health
Men seek medical care less frequently than women, for both preventive services and sick visits. There are many complicated reasons why. Some men think receiving medical care is a sign of weakness. Others don’t want to take time away from work to improve their health.
Whatever your reason for avoiding medical care, there’s something you should know. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women live an extra five years on average. This difference in life expectancy is a complex issue, but a proactive approach to your well-being is a powerful step.
This June, take advantage of Men’s Health Month to renew your commitment to good health. Here are three ways to get started.
See Your Doctor
Seeing your primary care provider every year gives you the inside scoop on your changing health needs. During these appointments, you have a chance to talk over any new symptoms affecting you. Your provider can also uncover silent problems before they get out of hand.
In-office testing can help detect rises in:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Glucose
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Catching these early opens the door to more treatment options. You may even be able to reverse oncoming health issues. Additionally, evidence suggests getting one PSA test in your 40s can determine the frequency of future testing. If your initial PSA results are high, your provider may monitor your PSA more closely moving forward. Otherwise, PSA testing every two to three years is likely all you need.
Love Your Heart
Today, heart disease is the top cause of death in American men and women and is more prevalent in men. To strengthen your heart and reduce the likelihood of heart issues, adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- Adjust your diet. Cut back on prepackaged, fatty foods. Fill up on healthy options, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low- or no-fat dairy.
- Avoid cigarettes. Smoking cessation counseling can help you kick the habit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start, and avoid secondhand smoke when you can.
- Drink in moderation. Limit yourself to one drink a day. Even better, skip it entirely.
- Watch yourself. High blood pressure or cholesterol increases your heart disease risk. So does diabetes and obesity. Work with your care team to monitor and manage these conditions and others.
Keep Mental Health in Mind
Being a man increases your likelihood of dying from suicide. Screenings help detect symptoms of anxiety and depression. There’s just one obstacle to overcome: you.
Men are less likely to seek care for mental health issues. Reasons for this include:
- Difficulty expressing symptoms brought on by mental health issues
- Expectations to be self-reliant and in control
- Persistent stigma toward mental health issues
Mental health issues may cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness or anger. You may have thoughts of suicide, lose your appetite or abuse alcohol or drugs. Talking with your primary care provider may be the first step toward the health and healing your mind craves.
Good health takes a team. Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine who will partner with you on your men’s health journey.