National Men’s Health Month is an important annual occurrence that serves as a way to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems, promote healthy living, and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
We all know that men visit their doctor less often than women, but did you know that, according to a 2014 survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are 50% less likely than women to have visited a doctor during the course of a two-year period? Additionally, men are three times more likely to admit going five years without a visit and twice as likely to admit that, as an adult, they had never seen a doctor or health professional. The result? While a number of factors are probably involved—men tend to take a greater number of risks, and have more dangerous professions than women—women on average, live seven years longer than men and are less likely to die from eight of the top ten causes of death in the U.S.
In the United States, some of the leading causes of death in men include cardiovascular disease, cancer such as lung, prostate, and colorectal, and stroke. Every male, regardless of age or physical fitness level should take the appropriate actions to lower the risk of these and other conditions affecting men.
Below are six things you can do to improve your health during Men’s Health Month.
- Get regular exams. Ask your doctor about screening tests for certain diseases and conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Also, ask how often you need to be examined.
- Eat healthy. Nutritious foods give you energy and may lower your risk of certain diseases. Focus on eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free milk products.
- Find time to exercise. Regular exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your level of activity.
- Be smoke-free. Smoking is linked to many of the leading causes of death, including cancer, lung disease, and stroke. If you smoke, quit today!
- Avoid heavy drinking. Heavy drinking can lead to many problems, including high blood pressure, various cancers, psychological problems, and accidents. For men 65 and younger, drinking in moderation means no more than two drinks per day. Men older than 65 should have no more than one drink a day.
- Bring down stress levels. While everyone experiences stress at times, a prolonged amount of stress can affect your health and ability to cope with life. The best ways to manage stress in hard times are through self-care.
Don’t be a statistic! The time to schedule your annual exam is now. Make an appointment with one of our professional health care providers today by calling 920-743-5566.