Jun 14, 2023

Preventive Healthcare

Preventive Health for Men
Statistics state that men are more likely to avoid preventive care vs. women. It’s extremely important for everyone to see a doctor for examinations, screenings, and preventive health consultations and then follow through.
Because we want the men in our lives to live long healthy lives, regular checkups are essential. According to Dr. Leslie Schlachter, director of the Mount Sinai Men’s Health Program, “Preventive health checkups are associated with healthier men” and can save lives.
Dr. Schlachter says annual blood sugar exams could decrease the likelihood of significant cardiac disease, kidney damage and erectile dysfunction because of nerve damage.
When diabetes is untreated, it can greatly increase the risk of heart disease and other complications whereas annual glucose testing can diagnose diabetes before it gets too far advanced. Diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise and/or medications when diagnosed early.
Men age 50 to 70 need prostate-specific antigen, or PSA blood level test and digital rectal exams (DREs), to detect early stages of prostate cancer. Those with family history of prostate cancer should begin PSA testing earlier – age 40. There are also other cancers that run in our family that can affect prostate health. Breast and ovarian cancer, for example, have been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Did you know prostate cancer (PC) is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Black men? The sooner PC is detected, the better chance there is to address the problem. Men, we ask you, no we plea with you to be proactive. Talk with your doctor and get screened early! The lack of symptoms doesn't always mean there isn't a problem.
Men with no family history of colon cancer should get a colonoscopy screening at age 50 and every 3 to 10 years thereafter depending on the outcome of the screening.
Previously, I stated that prostate cancer is the #1 cancer in men. High blood pressure is the #1 cause of stroke in men. Like diabetes, high cholesterol can also lead to cardiovascular and other health problems. Blood pressure can easily be checked via routine check-ups or via self-exams at many local pharmacies. It is highly recommended that all adult males have their cholesterol checked every three to five years, and then annually after age 50.
An echocardiogram is an “imaging test that uses ultrasound to monitor the heart function” (healthline.com). When there’s a family history of cardiac disease, “echocardiograms, cardiac stress tests, heart ultrasound or heart sonogram can ensure that there is not significant heart damage” according to Dr. Schlachter. This procedure “uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart.” It can show pictures of the heart walls and valves in great detail. It can diagnose a range of conditions so the provider can better evaluate the situation (mayoclinic.org).
Healthline.com states that over-the-counter medicines, alcohol consumption, inflammatory disorders, obesity, thyroid disorders, and some toxicities can cause liver damage. According to mayoclinic.org, there may not always be apparent signs and symptoms for this disease. However, there are things to be aware of like jaundice or yellowish skin and eyes, swelling in the legs and ankles, abdominal pain and swelling, dark urine, pale color stools, chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, or nausea. Seek medical attention should you experience severe abdominal pain or some of the other persistent signs or symptoms.
Last but not least, the thyroid helps every cell in the body by releasing hormones that regulate the metabolism. Healthline says “Any changes in the hormones it produces can impact a man’s life, and cause weight gain, lethargy [apathy], exhaustion, or fatigue. Thyroid-stimulating hormone testing (TSH) is a blood test that can quickly check the thyroid’s function. So please, men don’t do like so many others who ignore the symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid as part of the normal life cycle. Abnormalities can be corrected when detected early. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the thyroid hormone which causes the body to slow down. This is underactive. One may experience things like difficulty thinking, focusing, muscle weakness, constipation, and brittle nails to name a few (medicinenet.com).
When the thyroid-stimulating hormone is too high the condition is hyperthyroidism (overactive). Symptoms included can affect the quality of life, relationships, and health. Weight loss without trying, increased hunger, heat intolerance, sweating, frequent bowel movements, hand tremors, nervousness, irritability, thyroid gland enlargement, sleep disturbances, irregular heartbeat, and fatigue are notable symptoms (mayoclinic.org).
Therefore, record all symptoms and share the information with your provider even if you think the symptoms are only minor.
As women, we advocate for the health of our men because we love you! You are NOT alone! We are our brother’s keeper!

Leatha Foreman
6/14/23 Ref #862