Men need doctors, too

Jacqueline Howard

Fairfield Community Health Center treats twice as many women as men at its three clinics. Some speculate that men perceive themselves as too “macho” and it’s just something they don’t need to do.

With June being Men’s Health Month, it’s a good time for men to reflect on where they are in their physical well-being and make sure they are receiving preventable screenings. Some tips to ensuring good health for men:

1. Find a doctor. Choose one you’re comfortable with, so you can openly discuss all aspects of your health, from your mental state to your sexual function to your overall wellness.

2. See that doctor. Just because you are feeling well doesn’t mean you are well. Have a tendency toward denial? Don’t ignore things like black stools, vision loss, or chest pain. Unfortunately, men have a tendency to do just that.

3. Get informed. You do want to be knowledgeable and understand that you shouldn’t ignore symptoms or complaints, but you don’t want to self-diagnose.

4. Vary your workouts. The body gets very comfortable when you always do the same workout. You have got to keep varying your exercises, and they have to be an age-appropriate mix of aerobics, muscle training, and stretching.

5. Eat to thrive. Getting enough nutrition is crucial. It’s more important than anything else except maybe sleep. Focus on nutrients rather than calories, and eat a variety of healthy foods. You can’t achieve optimum nutrition with limited choices.

6. Prioritize sleep. Get at least seven hours. That’s not something you should compromise. Men think they can overcome sleep deprivation by exercising or short naps but that’s not a good idea.

7. Check your head. Mental health is really, really important. Think about several things: Are you drinking too much? Are you paying attention to signs of depression or bipolar disorder, which often get missed? If you have a family history of mental illness, suicide, and/or substance abuse, you really need someone to help you review the signs and symptoms.

8. Stay ready for sex. When you’re stressed out, not sleeping, or drinking too much, your body can’t prepare itself for sex and a man’s erection is a barometer for overall health. Exercising, eating well, and sleeping well will help make sure you are ready.

9. Care for your prostate. The prostate grows as you get older. You’ll almost certainly have symptoms, like urinary problems. A really healthy, low-fat diet will reduce the likelihood of prostate growth and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

10. Enjoy yourself. Look forward to every day, to doing something for yourself every day, whether it’s a run or listening to an audiobook or practicing meditation or yoga. Don’t save up all of your fun for vacation.

If you are in need of a medical doctor, Fairfield Community Health Center is accepting new patients by calling 740-277-6043.