Statistics have shown that men are more likely to avoid going to the doctor than women, but according to Men’s Health Tips, its just as important for either gender. In fact, women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for examinations, screenings, as well as preventive health consults, although they are much less likely to die from one of the top 10 leading causes of death. Leslie Schlachter, director of the Mount Sinai Men’s Health Program, says that “Many men are lost for the years in between their pediatrician and when they have their first health scare in their 50s,” he continues “It shouldn’t take a scare to get you to the doctor.”

Preventative health for men’s health tips checkups is associated with men that are healthier. Dangerous cancers are being early enough to save lives by these visits. Take a look at the various checkups you should be taking the time for regularly. This will ensure that you live a long and healthy life. 

Every Year You Should Do a… Men’s Health Tips

Blood Sugar Check:

Checking glucose levels yearly is imperative for men in order to decrease their likelihood of significant cardiac disease. Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar. This disease greatly increases your risk of heart disease along with other complications, such as kidney damage and erectile dysfunction due to damage to the nerve. Going for annual glucose tests is often the best method of diagnosing diabetes before it gets too advanced. Various men within the beginning of diabetes or a diagnosis of diabetes can be managed with an appropriate diet and exercise. If lifestyle management, along with diet and exercise, does not do the trick, there are oral medicines as well as insulin that can be used to manage diabetes. 

Skin Check

Men that have a family history of skin cancer or who suffered significant sunburns when they were young are at a high risk of having skin cancer. Skin cancer is known to affect men of any age. Yearly skin checks by a dermatologist are very important. When men are at home, they need to keep a very close eye on moles and birthmarks, as a slight change can signify etiology. Be consistent with your use of sunscreen. 

PSA Test

Statistics show that one in seven men will develop prostate cancer. Besides skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer found in American men. The PSA blood level test, known as the prostate-specific antigen, along with digital rectal exams (DREs), are generally the best way to detect prostate cancer. Men that have reached 50 to the age of 70 should be checked on a yearly basis. Especially if a man has a family history of prostate cancer or an unknown history, it is imperative that PSA testing should begin by the age of 40.

Every 3 Years, You Should Do a… Men’s Health Tips

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is known as a rite of passage for men and women alike that are over the age of 50. This is when the risk of colon cancer increases. There are other risk factors that include a medical history of inflammatory bowel disease or a diet that is high in animal fat. In the event that a man has no known history of colon cancer, a colonoscopy screening should be done by the age of 50. Any future colonoscopies can be done every three to ten years, depending on what results in the colonoscopy has brought back.

Every 4 Years, You Should Do a:

Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Check

The number one cause of stroke in men is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is extremely serious if not managed correctly. Serious cardiovascular problems are often a result of high cholesterol, as it may result in a heart attack or stroke. Undergoing a thorough exam with basic blood work will help rule out any underlying cholesterol issues. Various local pharmacies offer services where they check your blood pressure with no prior appointment required. Men that are aged 20 years and older should have their cholesterol checked every three to five years and then every year after they have reached the age of 50.

Every Chance You Get You Should Do a:

Echocardiogram

There are various cardiac risk factors that are often caught by doing a simple cholesterol test along with blood pressure monitoring as well as weight management. In the event that you have a family history of cardiac disease or if you have known elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure, routine echocardiograms or cardiac stress tests will ensure that there is no significant heart damage.

Liver Enzyme Test

Liver enzyme testing falls under standard blood work and focuses on looking for any damage to the liver that may come from various sources. This includes alcohol. Men, on average, generally consume more alcohol than women. Enzymes can run high due to over-the-counter medicines, alcohol consumption, and inflammatory disorders. Therefore, it is important for men to have these enzymes regularly checked. Thyroid issues, obesity, and some toxicities are often a result of alcohol consumption and over-the-counter medicines as well, as the liver enzyme may become elevated because of this. 

TSH Test

Your thyroid plays an important role by ensuring that every cell in your body releases the right hormones in order to regulate your metabolism. Any changes in the hormones produced by your thyroid can impact a man’s life and are known to cause various issues such as weight gain, lethargy, exhaustion, or fatigue. A blood test known as a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is often done by your doctor to monitor your thyroid’s function. 

The symptoms generally associated with an overactive or underactive thyroid are symptoms that are unfortunately deemed by many men as a ‘part of life.’ If by any chance, the testing shows any abnormalities, they can generally be fixed through proper medication.

Lung Screenings

The most preventable cancer of all is lung cancer. Lung cancer is found in people who smoke about 90 percent of the time. The rest of the people where lung cancer is mostly found are typically people with a genetic predisposition to developing it or individuals who have been exposed to secondhand smoke or caustic chemicals. Preventing lung cancer is key, as lung cancer is often an incidental finding on scans that are done for an alternate reason. Having a screening done for lung cancer is controversial as well as the well-accepted forms of scanning are high in radiation. Various experts in lung cancer are looking at lower-dose CAT scans, which could just be the future of lung cancer screening. Your annual chest X-ray is not generally recommended as a screening tool.

How to Live a Healthier Lifestyle:

Although doctor’s visits should never be replaced, there are, however, ways that men and their families are able to prevent the disease from popping up on their next exam.

• Do regular exercise: Working out three to four times a week, for 30 to 45 minutes, will improve your health drastically. Weight training and cardiovascular exercise should be included in your weekly exercise routine. 
• Follow a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet that is low in fat and includes a mix of vegetables, fruit, protein, fiber, lean meats as well as complex carbohydrates would drastically improve your health. Be sure to limit processed foods and foods with added sugars. 
• Drink plenty of water: It’s important to stay hydrated. You can do this by drinking an adequate amount of fluids, including water. 
• Avoid smoking: It has been proven that ninety percent of those that have been diagnosed with lung cancer are individuals who smoke. Smoking has been known to increase the risk of many other cancers as well as chronic diseases. 
• Limit your drinking: Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption will prevent any liver or stomach damage and, in turn, allow you to live a healthier lifestyle. 
• Sleep the amount you need: You are advised to sleep for about 7 hours every night at the very least. Less sleep could negatively affect your health. 

The TOP Men’s Health Tips for You

It is imperative that men take their health seriously. Going for regular checkups and making sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle will greatly decrease your risk of any disease that could have been prevented. Unpreventable diseases could be treated sooner if caught by a doctor during a routine screening.