June is officially here, which means it’s also time for Men’s Health Month. This is a time to raise awareness about men’s health issues and encourage them to prioritize their well-being. Unfortunately, many men don’t take a proactive approach to their health and can even be reluctant to seek medical help when they need it. Attitudes like this are one of the many reasons why men have shorter lifespans than women, approximately six years less on average.
Men’s Health Month is a great time to encourage men to take initiative when it comes to their well-being, whether physical or mental. Here at Montes Medical Group, we are passionate about helping men address preventable health problems, focus on early detection of diseases, and get the checkups they need regularly. Doing so can make it easier for men to stay healthy for years to come and reduce their risk of contracting chronic diseases and other health problems that men are more susceptible to.
So, what are some great ways for men to improve their long-term health and well-being? Keep reading to learn more!
Schedule a Men’s Health Exam
Taking the time to schedule a men’s health exam is essential for men interested in staying healthy and preventing unwanted medical problems. These exams can help detect problems before they become serious and increase the chances of treatments achieving success. During a men’s health exam, diagnostic testing can be run to detect medical issues before they become unmanageable or life-threatening.
Among the most common health issues men face are:
- Prostate cancer
- Heart problems
- Type 2 diabetes
- Erectile dysfunction
Men’s health exams include a typical physical, which measures vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. They also include exams unique to males, such as hernia and prostate exams. Hernia exams are helpful because the lower abdominal wall in males is prone to weakness. Doctors check the area to evaluate the risk of the bladder or intestines bulging through. Prostate exams are important to check for an enlarged prostate, which could indicate several issues.
Address Mental Health Concerns
In today’s society, men are often taught to be strong, stoic, and reclusive when faced with mental health issues. For this reason, Men’s Health Month can be a great time to encourage men to seek help and break down stigmas associated with seeking support. After all, mental health is an integral part of any man’s overall well-being. It is important to do whatever we can to support men dealing with depression, anxiety, and suicide risk, which are often underreported and undertreated. Men are significantly more likely to die by suicide than women, which makes the need for prevention and intervention even more important.
Along with seeking support, stress management techniques can be very helpful for mental health and well-being. Men can find outlets for physical activities that they find enjoyable and aim to consistently participate in them. Exercise is a natural stress reliever with numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Cut Back on Alcohol & Substance Use
Sometimes, men can have mental health issues that drive them into unhealthy levels of alcohol consumption or even substance use. This intersection of mental health and possible addiction is an important area to shed light on during Men’s Health Month. To reduce their risk of getting addicted to harmful substances, men can proactively address their mental health issues and find healthy outlets that help them truly feel better in the long run.
Turning to alcohol and substances may seem helpful in the beginning, but it only ends up making things worse for men over time. In the United States, approximately 15 million men have alcohol use disorder, compared to 5 million women. Around 12% of adult men report having a substance use disorder, compared to 6% of women.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many important areas that men can focus on to improve their health, reduce their health risks, and stay strong for years to come. Getting an annual health exam is a great way to check for potential problems before they get too serious, while increasing the odds of successful treatment. Men can also take the reins when it comes to their mental health. This can be done by finding healthy outlets to relieve stress, such as physical activity and connections with loved ones. Doing so can help them avoid relying on unhealthy substances or alcohol for relief.
Too many men fall sick or lose their lives due to preventable causes or chronic diseases. Let’s protect our men by encouraging them to exercise, manage stress, and get quality medical care regularly.