Men : Mind Your Health

According to Dr. David Gremillion of the Men’s Health Network, American men tend to live sicker and die earlier than American women. The main reason for that is because women are 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men (CDC 2001). For this reason, June has been designated as Men’s Health Month in the hopes of encouraging men to seek medical care to prevent and treat disease and injury before it’s too late. Men’s Health Month was started as a Congressional health education program to hold screenings, health fairs and other educational outreach services to teach men about the health risks they face.

 For instance, men are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, accidental injuries, hearing loss and HIV/AIDS than women. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, and the leading contribution to that statistic is that men are less likely to be seen and treated for depression, the number one factor in suicides. For men 20-24 years of age, the likelihood of committing suicide was six times that of females in the same age group.

There are many things men can do to remain as healthy as their female counterparts, but none are as important as seeing a doctor for annual exams. The key to preventing health problems is understanding your health risks. A doctor can discuss your specific risks with you, spot problems and treat them before they become uncontrollable. Healthy nutrition and exercise are important for everyone to follow. Men, however, are less likely to eat breakfast, which is thought to be the most important meal of the day as it helps to rev up your metabolism after sleeping. Men are also less likely to eat the amount of fruits and vegetables they need in a day.

Doctors and nutritionist recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day and cutting back on saturated fat. This can greatly reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart disease. It is important to follow proper portion control on all foods we eat. On average, women measure their portions more frequently and better than men. When it comes to physical activity, men and women are on an even playing field in that 50 percent of all men and women in the do not get the recommended amount of 30 minutes of daily physical activity.

Both portion control and regular exercise are important factors in managing weight. Men are more vulnerable to the effects of stress than women. These effects can be headaches, body aches, fatigue and depression. To protect yourself from the side effects of stress, remember to take time to rest and relax. Make “me-time” a regular thing and start eliminating things that add unnecessary stress. Use Men’s Health Month as your time to get healthy. Set up an appointment with your Doctor and discuss any health risks or problems you currently face, and work out a preventative or treatment plan for those medical issues. Also, spread the word and tell other men about the importance of routine doctor’s visits.