Men’s Health Month may have come to a close, but your health deserves attention year-round. Unfortunately, many men put off visiting the doctor to discuss health concerns or get their regular checkups. A survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic found that only half of the nearly 1,200 adult men surveyed got regular check-ups.1 There are many reasons men cite for not going to the doctor, including fear and embarrassment. There are so many reasons why men SHOULD visit the doctor regularly, however. Here are just a few:
- Monitor your vitals
Visiting your doctor will help you monitor your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. If you have high blood sugar or cholesterol, you’ll be able to get it under control with the help of your doctor before it spirals out of control into something more serious.
- Early detection of serious diseases or ailments
When you visit with your doctor, you will be able to work together to determine if a health issue you’re currently dealing with could be a symptom of something more serious. If you are urinating more frequently, for example, tell your doctor about it as this could be a symptom of prostate cancer.
- Heart health
According to the American Heart Association, Coronary Heart Disease generally affects more men than women under 50. Nearly 1 in 6 men will die from coronary heart disease.2 Seeing a doctor will help ensure that your heart is in good shape and working as it should.
- Better lifestyle choices
Seeing a doctor not only helps you avoid any ugly surprises down the road, but it can also help hold you accountable when it comes to making better lifestyle choices like increasing physical activity and improving your diet.
- Getting answers to health-related questions
If you have a health question or concern, the best person to consult with is your doctor. When it comes to maintaining your health, they are your first line of defense. Remember your doctor is here to help you stay happy and healthy.
Bradley Gill, a Cleveland Clinic urologist, provides these words of encouragement for men who are reluctant about visiting the doctor: “you rotate your tires, you change your oil…What you don’t want to do is wait until there’s smoke coming out from under the hood and the car stops running. The same thing goes for men’s health.”3
References
- https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2019/09/04/cleveland-clinic-survey-men-will-do-almost-anything-to-avoid-going-to-the-doctor/
- https://heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/coronary-artery-disease
- https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/survey-men-avoiding-doctors.html
