To all the men out there…this one’s for you! The month of June has been deemed “Men’s Health Month” and June 15-21 is Men’s Health Awareness Week. We are here to provide you with tips to help you stay healthy and informed. We have all heard the facts that men tend to not make doctor appointments and we are going to help you change that. It’s important for you to stay on top of your health and schedule doctor appointments along with proper screenings.
Men’s Health Tips for Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy eating
Fruits and vegetables have lots of vitamins and minerals that can help protect you from chronic diseases. It is important to incorporate a variety of these into your diet on a daily basis.
Exercise
Exercise can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers, and even help to improve your mood and mental health. It is important to incorporate 2 ½ hours of physical activity into your routine each week. Find fun ways to be active with family and friends! If your workout routine is something you look forward to, you will be more apt to get out there and move!
Sleep
It is recommended that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Poor sleep habits can have many effects on your health. You could be at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, depression, erectile dysfunction and obesity. Do what you can to ensure you get a good night’s sleep!
Mental Health
It is important to recognize and reduce causes of stress that can have an effect on your overall mental health. Physical and emotional tension are often signs of stress and can be reactions to situations that cause you to feel threatened or anxious. Learn ways to manage stress by joining support groups, eating healthy, exercising regularly and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
Wear sunscreen
As we have said in previous blog posts about skin cancer, wearing sunscreen should be an important part of each day. Protect yourself against skin cancers by making sure you apply before going out in the sun.
Don’t smoke
Choose not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit. Quitting smoking has immediate and long term benefits. You will decrease your risk for different types of cancer, and not expose others to secondhand smoke, which can also cause health problems. For help with quitting, call your state’s tobacco quitline. For English, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, for Spanish, call 1-855-DEJELO-YA.
Recommended Checkups and Screening for Men:
Testicular cancer
Categorized as either a growth or lump on the testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males aged 15-35. It is also highly treatable. Men should do self-exams as well as a yearly screening with your doctor.
Learn more about testicular cancer
Prostate cancer
Develops in the prostate, which is a small, walnut-shaped gland. 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, making it the most common cancer among men, after skin cancer. If found early, prostate cancer can often be treated successfully.
Learn more about prostate cancer
Skin cancer
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, by the age of 50, men are also more likely than women to develop melanoma. Protect your skin, wear sunscreen and schedule annual screenings with your doctor.
Colorectal cancer
Starts in the colon or the rectum. This type of cancer develops slowly over a number of years. It usually begins as a non-cancerous polyp that if not removed could become cancerous.
Learn more about colorectal cancer
Lung cancer
Unfortunately, lung cancer is usually found at an advanced stage that is not curable, so it kills more people than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined. That’s why it is important to get screened for lung cancer if you have a history of smoking. Screening programs help find cancer at an earlier stage, where it is more curable with better survival rates.
See your doctor!
Routine checkups can help to spot a number of conditions before they become major. Just as you do routine maintenance on your car and home, it is just as important to maintain your own health and well-being. Call today to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians and take control of your health.