June is National Men's Health Month! This month is all about taking positive steps to improve and/or maintain your health if you’re a man or encouraging the men in your life to take care of their body by exercising, eating right, and actively working to prevent illness and disease.
A 2019 survey of Cleveland Clinic's MENtion It campaign, which pushes men to see their doctors and discuss their health, highlights the negative attitude of men in seeking medical care. Healthline reported that almost two-thirds of the responding men said that they avoid going to doctor's appointments as long as possible and 37% of them said that they withhold information from their doctors.
Dr. Deborah Lee from online pharmacy Dr. Fox said that men tend to downplay symptoms, or simply blame them on old age because they do not want to appear vulnerable and have the belief that they just need to “tough it out”.
But this June, there’s still a full week for you to get started! So here are some health tips to make sure you are doing YOUR part in achieving and maintaining good health and physical fitness during 2021 National Men’s Health Month.
Daily Exercise is Essential
Having daily exercise is essential because it is not only good for your overall mental health, but it also helps stave off cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in both men and women according to the CDC.
Experts and physicians tell us that cardio exercise, like running, cycling, or swimming could benefit everyone and can easily be added to our daily exercise routines. Make sure to include resistance training such as weightlifting, squats, lunges, push-ups, and pull-ups in your daily exercise routine, or consider getting a personal trainer and/or a membership at a local gym or fitness center. Don’t yet have a daily exercise routine? Now’s the perfect time to start one!
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Very Well Mind reported that suicide was the 7th leading cause of death for American men in 2015 based on the data from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Men may feel the stigma of mental illness more than women do according to authorities on this subject, and so they tend to internalize their emotions and fears more. Yet depression does not always appear obviously in depressed individuals. It’s important to find someone that understands your personal issues and that you’re comfortable to talk with them honestly and “open up” about your feelings.
Getting Enough Hours of Sleep Is Critically Important
Sleep is always a key to achieving and maintaining good health for any man! Lack of sleep could eventually also lead to other serious problems like cardiovascular disease and chronic lung problems.
Dr. Guy Meadows, co-founder of Sleep School, said that men typically have higher alcohol consumption than women do, and excessive alcohol intake frequently can negatively affect their sleep. He added additionally that to make sleep a priority is essential for everyone’s overall health. If possible, abstain from drinking alcohol for at least four days to a week and stop drinking two hours before bedtime.
Check for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland, a small walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system. It can be detected by a simple blood test, known as the PSA for early detection.
According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer found in men. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause serious harm, requiring minimal or even no treatment. However, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. Prostate cancer that's detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — has the best chance for successful treatment.
Urinary symptoms can include difficulty with urination, such as difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine, dribbling of urine, excessive urination at night, frequent urination, urge to urinate and leaking, urinary retention, or weak urinary stream. Another symptom that prostate cancer can be associated with is erectile dysfunction (or ED). Yet often times there simply are no symptoms at all.
There are many factors to take into consideration when getting prostate cancer screening, including your age and health. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men should have a discussion with their doctors about annual screenings for prostate cancer. PSA Testing should take place at the following ages:
Age 50: For men who are at average risk of prostate cancer.
Age 45: For men at a high risk of developing prostate cancer (men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).
Age 40: For men at an even greater risk for developing prostate cancer (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).
If no cancer is found during your PSA test, you may choose to time your future screenings depending on your results:
- Men who choose to be tested who have a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/ml, may only need to be retested every 2 years.
- Yearly screenings should be done for men whose PSA level is 2.5 ng/ml or higher.
About Philadelphia Urology Associates
At Philadelphia Urology Associates, you will receive expert and experienced guidance and care. Dr. Bruce Sloane is a nationally renowned specialist in Men's Health issues and Age Management Medicine. Dr. Sloane also underwent an extensive training program and is Certified by the Kalish Institute to practice Functional Medicine in the Philadelphia area. Throughout Philadelphia County and the surrounding areas like Delaware County, patients seek his expertise and advice to treat their urological problems such as erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance issues. Using state-of-the-art equipment and having extensive specialized education and training, Dr. Sloane will find the treatments and solutions that will work for you.
If you have any questions about the treatments available for any urological disorders, we urge you to contact us now online or call us at (215) 563-1199 today to discuss how we can help you!
