Preventative health care for men

Unlike women, many men will not take the time to visit their physicians. They don’t seem to believe there is a need. They way many of them think is if they feel fine, then all is okay with them.

Sadly, that is not the true. As we have all found out, many illnesses do not cause symptoms that are noticeable until it’s too late.

There are some illnesses that do cause some type of symptoms but are ignored because they seem like a cold, stomach flu, etc.

By the time many men find out they have a health problem, their condition is pretty severe and sometimes, too late. It seems that men believe they can handle everything; they are males and can’t get sick. It’s silly to worry about things like that plus the idea of taking time out to see their doctor is a waste of time. Another belief is that they are male and they have nothing to worry about they will never get sick. It’s a waste of time visiting their physician because all they want to do is make money by requesting all sorts of tests that are unnecessary. This type of thinking is unhealthy and harmful to them.

Men become aggravated with their wives or girlfriends because they are constantly telling them to see a doctor, take certain vitamins or try to change their diets. The reason they do this is because women tend to pay more attention to everyone’s health around them. They take the time to read articles on how to take care of themselves, what vitamins to take, exercises and foods to eat. This information they apply it to their lives and those they love.

Just like women, who should have a mammogram every year after the age of 40, men need to have certain tests done after a certain age. Below is a list of checkups they should get:

Thyroid Function Blood Test – they should start this at the age of 20 and from there on every 5 years until the age of 60. Once they reach the age of 60, they should have this done annually. The reason is that if the thyroid function is low, this can lead to high cholesterol levels, depression and constipation
C-reactive Protein Test (CRP) – they should start this at the age of 40. This test measures inflammation and can let them know if they are at risk for heart disease and it will also warn of any liver or prostate problems.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Blood Test – first test should be at the age of 40 (they can start earlier). The next test at the age of 50 and after that, every year. This blood test can check to see if they are at risk or have prostate cancer. Early testing can make a big difference.
Blood Pressure – this should be done annually starting at the age of 30. Detecting this in time, with proper medication and diet, they can live a long and healthy life.
Colonoscopy – beginning at the age of 50 (screening can be done earlier if there is a family history of colorectal cancer). Why is this so important, studies have shown that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause cancer-related deaths among men.

As we can see, it’s important for them to get their checkups as often as women do. Getting them to see this point will be hard but not impossible. For those women, that only want the best for their husband or boyfriend, don’t’ give up. Show him how necessary these tests are. If you have children, tell him they need him and need a healthy dad. Not only that, ask him if he would like to see his children graduate from high school, college, get married and one day make him a grandfather.

Let him know that these tests the physician’s requests are not too make money, is about his health. Present it as an investment in his health and his future. His family depends on him and wants him around for a long time, so for the love he feels for you, he should take the time to take care of himself. The healthier he is, the better he can take care of his family.