Written By: Dr. Adam Arceneaux, Internal Medicine Specialist
Why is Men's Health Month important?
For men, there is usually an increased risk as far as heart disease, stroke, and prostate cancer. Men need to be aware of health risks as they age and what can be done to identify and help prevent or manage conditions.
What are some common health issues that affect men?
Men are at higher risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.
What steps would you encourage men to take to prevent these health problems?
One way to prevent health problems is to identify risk factors and visit your doctor for annual exams and screenings. Healthy lifestyles, such as diet modifications and routine physical activities, can help reduce risk.
Are there any specific age-related health concerns that men should be aware of?
Identifying high blood pressure or hypertension is important as people age. For men, heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and heart attacks are leading causes of death.
Prostate issues can also develop in men over 50.
What screenings and health checks should men prioritize?
Men, as well as everyone, should be screened for hypertension.
Prostate screening
Men who smoke or have a history of smoking should be screened for a low-dose CT scan, which screens for lung cancer.
Colon cancer screening starts at age 45 or sooner if there is a family history of colon cancer.
Cholesterol screening
Diabetes screening
Other screenings to remember are dental cleanings, eye exams to screen for glaucoma and cataracts, and immunizations.
How can men manage stress effectively to promote their overall well-being?
Identifying stressors is important
Exercise, sleep, and meditation are common ways to help manage stress.
How do regular exercise and a healthy diet contribute to men's overall health?
Regular exercise and activity help strengthen your heart, improve circulation and blood flow, and increase oxygenation in your body. Memory, cognition, and weight loss are a few other benefits. Regular exercise can also help decrease the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
How can visiting a physician lead to prevention or early detection?
Routine visits with a physician would include age-appropriate screenings and identifying if one is at risk for other conditions. Following labs and routine visits with exams will allow conditions to be caught in earlier stages, which can reduce the long-term consequences of the condition.
What are attainable health goals men should set for themselves to sustain healthy habits beyond Men's Health Month?
Routine exercise can differ depending on one's condition, and it is important to modify it if needed. For example, men who are limited due to joint issues could do water exercise instead of walking.
Balanced diet/hydration/sleep
Mental health/managing stress
Decreasing or stopping bad habits (i.e., smoking, excessive alcohol intake, drugs, etc.)
