What’s your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar status?
Have a strange symptom you’ve been hoping would go away on its own?
According to a Cleveland Clinic Survey, Only half of all men surveyed said they get regular checkups, and 72 percent would rather clean the bathroom than see their doctor. That’s pretty bad!
The number one excuse men use to avoid the doctor is "too busy."
Translation: It’s not the highest priority.
Men have many health concerns unique to them such as enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone. In addition, men are at risk for many diseases that are not gender specific.
Heart disease and cancer are the top two causes of death among men in the U.S., but with early diagnosis, treatment is often very successful. Not only are some health concerns exclusive to men, sometimes health concerns have different symptoms for men than for women, such as heart attack.
Most importantly, some serious health concerns may come with no symptoms at all, like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. For this reason, it is essential to have regular checkups.
The American Heart Association lists their top 10 reasons men put off seeing a doctor:
- “I don't have a doctor”
- “I don't have insurance”
- “There's probably nothing wrong”
- “I don't have time”
- “I don't want to spend the money”
- “Doctors don't DO anything”
- “I don't want to hear what I might be told”
- “I've got probe-a-phobia”
- “I'd rather tough it out”
- “My significant other has been nagging me to get a checkup”
Can you relate? While these things may be true, no excuse in the book is going to replace the importance of seeing your doctor regularly.
When you skip or postpone health screenings, you could delay detecting serious disease!
Men's reluctance to see a doctor may be the primary reason men have higher rates of some diseases and a lower life expectancy than women. Diana Sanchez, associate professor of psychology at Rutgers University says, “Men can expect to die five years earlier than women, and physiological differences don't explain that difference.” Biological differences and stress levels do play a part, but behavioral choices weigh in as well.
Registered Dietitian, Megan Moore, recommends these five tips for men:
- Exercise daily – aim for 30 minutes, 5 days a week, plus strength training twice a week at least. Playing a sport with your family counts!
- Eat a healthy diet – start by adding more vegetables, fruits and beans. Veggies aren’t for sissies, they are for healthiest!
- Reduce stress – try to identify the things in your life that are stress relievers for you and do them often. Did you know laughter releases stress?
- Limit alcohol intake – alcohol contributes to weight gain and cancer risk. The American Cancer Society states it is best to avoid alcohol.
- Get a yearly physical exam starting at age 30 – health screenings allow for early treatment and disease prevention. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Help change these statistics and schedule your yearly physical today. Know what’s normal and what’s not, and don’t be afraid to ask all your questions. Take action to reduce your risks and improve your health.
Medi-Share includes one annual physical per year (including limited labs) which is applied to your Annual Household Portion (AHP) or shared if you have met your AHP. Medi-Share also offers a lab discount option and a Health Partnership Program for members.
Visit your Medi-Share Member Center to locate network providers in your location.
Check out the Medi-Share Wellness Library for free health and wellness tips!
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