| June is Men's Health Month
Tri-City Voice, June 26, 2007 In general, most men don't like thinking about their health; and going to the
doctor is something they'd rather avoid. And yet, the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) says American men have more reason than ever to listen to their
bodies. Here's why, according to the CDC:
- Men tend to smoke and drink more than women.
- Men don't seek medical help as often as women.
- Some men define themselves by their work, which can add to stress.
- Some health conditions affect only men, such as prostate cancer and low
testosterone.
The good news is many major health risks faced by men, including colon cancer
and heart disease, can be prevented. When these conditions do occur, they are
often treatable, especially if they are diagnosed early.
The bad news is some ailments that afflict men are "silent," including high
blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. These diseases usually don't
produce symptoms in the early stages, and they can do a lot of damage to your
body before they are diagnosed.
"To heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early
detection and treatment of disease among men and boys," the Men's Health Network
has declared June 11-17 Men's Health Week.
"It really comes down to doing what your mother always told you: eat your
vegetables and go out and play. These are still the cornerstones of a healthy
lifestyle," says Fremont family practice physician Steven A. Curran, M.D.,
medical director of Washington Clinic in Warm Springs.
Diet and exercise
The basic principles of a healthy diet apply to men, as well as women. Eat fresh
fruits and vegetables, limit saturated fats and trans fats, and control calories
to help maintain a healthy weight. To help, Dr. Curran recommends these
informative web sites: www.calorie-count.com and www.whfoods.org (World's
Healthiest Foods).
For questions about alcohol intake, moderation is the key, keeping in mind that
studies have shown one glass of wine a day can be beneficial for heart health
and lower cholesterol.
On the question of whether men should take vitamin and mineral supplements, Dr.
Curran gives this advice: "Certain supplements are more important for men, such
as selenium for prostate health. If they take a multivitamin, I advise my male
patients to take one without iron."
When it comes to exercise, Dr. Curran observes, almost any exercise appears to
be beneficial. Men should try to do a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic exercise
three times a week with an ultimate goal of one hour of combined aerobic and
resistance exercise four times a week.
"We've come to appreciate the value of resistance exercise or weight training
not just to look good," explains Dr. Curran. "It also helps compensate for the
fact that men tend to lose 10 percent of muscle for every decade after age 40.
The best way to reverse that loss is resistance exercise, especially in
combination with aerobics."
Exams and screenings
To stay at their healthiest, men need to have regular physical exams by their
doctor. Dr. Curran's recommendation is:
- Men in their 30s should have a full physical exam every three years.
- Men in their 40s should do so every two years.
- Men age 50 and above should have a physical every year.
"These frequencies can change, based on your family history," adds Dr. Curran.
Men should also think about the need for vaccinations. This includes a regular
tetanus booster and any necessary vaccinations when traveling overseas. In
addition, at age 60, men can have a vaccination called Zostavax, which helps
prevent painful shingles.
Stress management
Dealing with stress is another serious health challenge for men, who tend to
want to avoid burdening other people with their problems, says Dr. Curran. Men
should understand that finding a successful strategy for managing stress can
have a direct impact on their health. Two possible strategies are medication and
yoga.
Men can meet these and many other health-related issues head-on with the help of
a personal physician. That's why it's important for them to develop an ongoing
relationship with their doctor.
"Ideally, it a partnership between a man and his physician," explains Dr.
Curran. "The doctor can function as a source of information to guide the man
through health care's complexities and clarify conflicting views. The physician
is one more person on the man's team who's looking out for him."
"In considering the best approach to a long and healthy life, men should also
talk to their doctor about the role of alternative approaches to medicine, such
as chiropractics and acupuncture," Dr. Curran concludes.
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