MEN'S HEALTH
TOUGH ENOUGH
OK, bro, we know you can take it…
but enough is enough. Taking preventive
measures to protect your health
is not a sign of weakness.
It's an often heard cliché: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But why
does it seem that many men apply this to their own health?
Men tend to skip the doctor until they become sick, injure
themselves or are faced with a serious health problem. And a majority of men
will postpone seeking care for a few days to see whether they feel any better.
Although it’s not easy to change this
line of thinking, there are steps that
men can implement today to improve
their vitality and prevent potential
health issues down the road. There
are, of course, factors such as family
history and age, but a few daily choices
can have a big impact on current
and future health.
HEALTH TIPS FOR MEN
Get routine health checkups, screenings
and (don't forget) dental exams.
By keeping up with these appointments,
your health care provider
can make sure you stay up-to-date
with immunizations (Yes, they're for
adults, too!) and important preventive
health screenings. It also gives
you a chance to talk about any health
concerns or changes you've noticed.
Make sure to talk with your health
care provider about your family medical
history and ask which screenings
you might need. For example:
• Body mass index (BMI)
• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure
• Certain cancers depending on
risk factors, including your age
and family history (e.g., lung,
colorectal, prostate, skin)
• Diabetes/blood glucose (sugar)
level
• Depression (Did you know men
are four times more likely to
commit suicide than women,
which is thought to be due to
under-diagnosed depression?)
And, if you're like most people, you
dread going to the dentist—but add
it to your "to do" list. Dental exams
aren't just important for your teeth
and gums; your mouth may also be a
red flag for other health conditions.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating
a diet that's low in fat (less than 7
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