June is Men’s Health Month

The week leading up to (and including) Father’s Day is also National Men’s Health Week. Congressman Bill Richardson has been quoted on the house floor as saying "Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue." Unfortunately, men are notorious for not wanting to go to the doctor or get health assessments. The purpose of Men's Health Week is to increase awareness of preventable health problems among men and boys and encourage early detection and treatment of disease. This is very important because research shows that over half of premature deaths in men are preventable.

So, what are some steps to take to prevent these “premature deaths?” The first is to establish a relationship with a primary care doctor if you don’t already have one. The best time to find a doctor is when you don’t need one! Don’t wait until you are already sick before you try to find a good doctor. Ask family, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. You can also call the American Board of Medical Specialties at 1-866-275-2267 or visit their website, www.abms.org to get information on various doctors.

By visiting your doctor when you are not sick, your doctor can get a good baseline which will allow him or her to know what is “normal” for you and more readily treat you if you should become sick. Remember, this is a “relationship,” meaning you are responsible for providing the doctor all the information you have about yourself that will help him or her to provide you with the best care they can. That means when you go to your appointments, be honest about any symptoms you are having, bring in a list of any medications or supplements you are taking, know what your family medical history is and provide it, and ask any questions you may have. There is a great self assessment form you can download free and use to write down information that is useful for doctors’ appointments at www.healthselfassessment.com . Most doctors appreciate patients who are active participants in their own health care. If you feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, find another one.

Some other general steps you can take to stay healthy are:
1. Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein sources that are low in saturated fats, drink plenty of water, and limit alcohol to 2 drinks daily.
2. Include 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 times per week.
3. Use sunscreen when you are outdoors.
4. Know your family history.
5. See your doctor regularly.
6. Don’t smoke.
7. If you are over 40, get a baseline PSA (prostate specific antigen) test and monitor periodically.
8. Manage your stress.

For additional tips on men’s health, there is a great booklet that can be downloaded for free at http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/blueprint.