Blog
Taking Care During Men’s Health Month
We hear it all the time; “I’m healthy, I don’t have any health issues or concerns, I’m not sick so I don’t need to see a doctor” etc. We hate to bust your bubble, but none of that is true. You actually need to be on top of your health before it becomes a cause for concern. And with June being Men’s Health Month, we’re going to focus on keeping the boys and men in our lives happy and healthy.
From an early age, boys and young men should be seeing a doctor regularly. The sooner you establish yourself with a doctor, the better off you’ll be. There are numerous things boys and men can and should do to achieve and maintain good health. Waiting until you’re sick isn’t the answer and neither is waiting until you hit the big 5-0. Just because you aren’t sick now or you don’t feel bad today doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be visiting with your doctor - at least on a yearly basis. The farther back your medical records can go, the better off you’ll be in the event something serious happens. Besides seeing a medical provider regularly, here are a few other things you should be doing to prevent critical health concerns.
If you use tobacco, you absolutely have to kick that habit. Smoking alone can cause heart disease and cancer and both happen to be leading causes of death among men. The good news is there are a number of ways to quit. If you have a regular doctor, make an appointment to discuss some options and find out what is best for you. Aside from chewing gum or using patches, there are also smoking / tobacco cessation groups you might be able to find and join in your area.
Regular health screenings are a necessity. Your doctor will talk with you about tests and / or screenings you need based on your individual risk factors and age. Some screenings may not be required until you reach a certain age, but others can be done with each annual visit to your doctor. Examples of tests and screenings men should have done include:
- Blood pressure screening
- Cardiovascular screening
- Colorectal cancer exams
- Prostate cancer exams
- Testicular cancer exams
Life can be tough at times and the stresses that come along with it make some days unbearable. Try do focus on making healthy lifestyle choices every day, regardless of your age. Do what you can to get adequate sleep at night, make it a point to exercise every day, even if it’s only for 20-minutes, don’t let fast-food work its way into your meal selection, and take a break when you need it. We all go through ups and downs, but it’s the downs that can be incredibly challenging. If you can recognize it, though, you can concentrate your efforts in making healthy choices that will keep you feeling good.
You may not realize it, but you’re important to someone. Whether you are a father, brother, son, cousin, uncle, or friend - you have a role. Make your health a priority, if not for yourself, do it for the people who call you “dad”, “son” etc. You can easily takecare of yourself with the help of our providers at SIHF Healthcare. Our medical professionals service over two dozen locations and specialize in family and internal medicine. No matter which provider or health center you choose, you can rest assured you will be treated with the compassion, respect, and confidentiality. Your provider will treat you as an individual and will work directly with you to help you reach your best overall health. Click here to find a provider near you.