Together, Let's Bring Awareness to Men's Health Issues

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men in the U.S., on average, die five years earlier than women and at higher rates from nine of the top 10 leading causes of death. Health is wealth. All month long, Frederick Health encourages all men in our community to take control of their health and learn healthy habits for a long and happy life.

When Was Your Last Primary Care Visit?

Many of the factors contributing to poor health for men are preventable. Regular check-ups can catch small problems before they become big, life-changing issues. But often, men tend to walk off their injuries, ignore warning signs that something’s wrong, or ignore preventive care altogether.

No matter your age or health status, having a go-to primary care provider who knows you well and sees you on a regular basis leads to a healthier, longer life. With a primary care provider, you’ll receive personalized care, better health management, preventive care and screenings, annual vaccines, and more.

Because your primary care provider gets to know you well, they know what’s normal for you and what isn’t, and they’re able to identify any concerns or issues that arise. They’ll help to establish baselines for your blood pressure, cholesterol, and more, monitor how they change over time, and catch potentially dangerous conditions early, when they’re still treatable. If you don’t have a primary care provider, contact Frederick Health Medical Group today.

Check Your Prostate Health

Every man is at risk for prostate cancer. The most common risk, however, is age. As you age, your chance of developing prostate cancer increases. Luckily, there’s one thing every man can do to reduce his chance of developing prostate cancer significantly: get a screening.

Prostate cancer screenings are preventive measures that look for the disease before it causes symptoms in the body. When caught early, men have a much higher chance of getting the appropriate treatment and beating the disease.

If you’re age 40 and have a family history of prostate cancer, or you’re at normal risk and age 50 or older, contact your doctor today about your screening options. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment for prostate cancer in our online toolkit.

Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

Men are more likely to get type 2 diabetes at a lower weight than women. According to the CDC, men store more fat in their bellies, which is a high-risk factor. Diabetes puts men—and women—at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, vision loss, kidney failure, and more. For men, diabetes can also lead to erectile dysfunction (ED), overactive bladder, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and more.

Talk to your primary care provider if you’re overweight, 45 years or older, have a family history of diabetes, are physically active less than three times a week, or are black, Hispanic, American Indian, or Alaska Native. These are all risk factors for diabetes, and it’s important to team up with your doctor to manage any diabetes-related problems as early as possible.

Manage Your Mental Health & Reduce Stress

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) reports that men with mental illnesses are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women in the past year. Yet, men are more likely to die by suicide than women. Recognizing the signs that you or a male loved one has a mental disorder or is struggling with mental health issues is the first step to getting treatment. The second step is asking for help early so effective treatment can begin.

If you or the men in your life are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider today about improving your care and making good decisions for your mental health:

• Stress or inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Depression or anxiety
• Negative thinking or excessive worrying
• Weight loss or gain
• Panic attacks
• Nervousness
• Social withdrawal
• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Engaging in high-risk activities
• Unusual thinking or concerning behaviors
• Suicidal thoughts
• Aches, headaches, or digestive problems
• Sadness or hopelessness

Take Control of Your Cholesterol

Nearly 1 in every 3 American adults has high cholesterol. When cholesterol is too high, it puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are the two leading causes of death in the U.S. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get it checked during your regular primary care visits.

In addition to monitoring and talking to your doctor about your cholesterol, consider these tips to lower your risk:

• Make heart-healthy eating choices
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Get regular physical activity
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption

Eat Healthy & Exercise Regularly

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men. Making healthier food choices and getting daily physical activity can build a healthier heart. Getting just 30 minutes of exercise each day can help you live longer and healthier. It can also lower blood pressure, decrease bad cholesterol, and improve your resting heart rate.

The benefits of physical activity are countless, yet many men find it difficult to stay motivated. Exercise and physical activity are clinically proven to prevent and treat many chronic diseases. And eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, reduced sugars, drinking water and reduced fat milk instead of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages, and lean proteins fuels your body with the nutrients all men need to stay healthy.

If you need help with your nutrition or weight management, consider connecting with Frederick Health Medical Group or learn more about our partner LiveWell Frederick’s 5-2-1-0 program. For fitness tips or help to start an exercise program under specialized supervision and guidance, Frederick Health ProMotion Fitness provides a safe, supportive environment to help you reach your exercise goals.

Know the Facts About Colorectal Health

Based on health stats for Frederick County, men have higher rates of colorectal cancer than women. Frederick County men have a 1 in 22 chance of getting colorectal cancer, compared to women at 1 in 24. Some men who experience colorectal cancer and other colorectal health issues may show no symptoms. But others experience ongoing changes in bowel habits, frequent gas or abdominal cramps, blood in the stool, rectal bleeding, and unexplained weight loss.

Regular physical activity and a healthy diet can prevent colorectal cancer. So can quitting or staying away from smoking, including secondhand smoke, and getting screened starting at age 45. Regular screening is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. In fact, colorectal screenings prevented about half of expected new cases and deaths from colorectal cancer between 2003 and 2007. Check out our colorectal cancer toolkit for more details.

Now is the perfect time to take steps to be healthier and remind the men you love to do the same. Support them by following healthy habits and making healthy choices. Contact Frederick Health today if you have any questions or to schedule appointments.