Men's Health Awareness Month

Real Men Take Care of Themselves

~ by Richard Sgaglio

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month.  In recognition of this important annual initiative, it’s a good time to provide you with some helpful information and reminders related to men’s health. 

Things to Know about Men’s Health

According to an article featured in Everyday Health, when you look at the top 10 leading causes of death by gender, men lead in 9 out of the 10 categories. Understanding this should also make us realize that bringing awareness to men’s health concerns needs to continue to be a priority. It could save lives.

The key is not to let complacency and fear be excuses for not going to the doctor.  Forgoing annual check-ups can take a toll on our overall health.  By maintaining annual exams that include routine bloodwork, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and management of health issues, we can stay ahead of any potentially serious health issues like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Men’s Mental Health

Although mental health has become a growing concern for men and women in recent years, men continue to battle the pressures of society when it comes to acknowledging the issue and managing it.  According to WebMD, men with depression often aren't diagnosed for several reasons, including:

• Failure to recognize depression. You may think that feeling sad or emotional is always the main symptom of depression. But for many men, that isn't the primary symptom. It can be headaches or body pain.

• Downplaying signs and symptoms. You may not recognize how much your symptoms affect you, or you may not want to admit to yourself or to anyone else that you're depressed. But ignoring, suppressing, or masking depression with unhealthy behaviors will only worsen the situation.
• Reluctance to discuss depression symptoms. You may not be open to talking about your feelings with family or friends, let alone with a doctor or therapist. Like many men, you may have learned to suppress your feelings.  
• Resisting mental health treatment. Even if you suspect you have depression, you may avoid diagnosis or refuse treatment. Many men avoid getting help because they are worried about the stigma.

Stay Active & Practice Good Nutritional Habits

Maintaining a balanced diet and staying active can help you lower your risk for things like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. As mentioned above, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, so making heart-healthy choices like eating right and exercising can only help! Not only can they help keep your heart strong, they will improve your mental health as well. 

When it comes to a balanced and healthy diet, Healthline.com says you should avoid processed foods as much as possible. Stick with natural foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean cuts of meat (like skinless chicken breast, lean ground meat (like turkey), or even fish).

Being active doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym several times a week. You can bike, walk on your lunch hour, or play a game of pickleball with a friend. The key is to do a healthy mix of aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activities.  Remember, always take the stairs – the little changes you make add up, too!

Don’t Forget about Your Prostate

The second leading cancer diagnosis for men is prostate cancer, as reported by the American Cancer Society. If you have trouble urinating, experience pain when you urinate, or notice blood in your urine, it may be a sign of prostate problems.  Newer advances in blood tests can screen for prostate issues like cancer and, if necessary, can help guide treatment.

The key is to stay in control of your mental and physical health by being an active participant in your healthcare. Don’t be silent about issues and hope they just go away – they won’t. Speak up when something doesn’t seem right either physically or mentally.  

Your health is important for a good quality of life. Don’t be caught up in old, outdated stereotypes that keep you from asking for and seeking help. Strong men do take care of themselves because by doing so, they help take care of those they love as well.

Resources:

Men’s Health Month
MensHealthMonth.org

Men’s Health Network
MensHealthNetwork.org

Men’s Health Resource Center
MensHealthResourceCenter.com