MEN’S HEALTH MONTH

The boys are back in town!

June is Men’s Health Month. It is a reminder for all of us to encourage sons, brothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers and friends to make healthy choices in June and all year long. Research shows men are less likely than women to prioritize their health and utilize primary care medical services. Through early detection during annual doctor appointments, many health problems are preventable. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, here are five doctor appointments all men should make to stay on top of their health.

  1. Get an annual physical. Going to your doctor every year helps you keep an eye on your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels but you also benefit by creating a long-term relationship with your doctor.
  2. Go to the dermatologist. Take a good look at your skin once a month, as recommended by the American Cancer Society. Be sure to see a dermatologist yearly or more frequently if you have a family history of skin cancer. If you noticed an atypical spot during your self-exam, follow up with your dermatologist.
  3. Complete a colon cancer screening. The most common colon cancer exam is a colonoscopy, but stool tests and virtual colonoscopies are now available. Talk to your gastroenterologist and get scheduled if you are over 45 or if you have a family history.
  4. Go to the dentist. Caring for your teeth daily and having an annual visit keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Also, your mouth can provide insight into your health by signaling sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies and diabetes by the smell of your breath and health of your teeth and gums. Don’t be one of the about 100 million Americans who don’t have a yearly dentist visit according to the American Dental Association.
  5. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist. An eye exam every two years can help everyone, not just those who wear corrective lenses. You may go to the eye doctor more frequently if you have a visually strenuous job, a family history of vison conditions or other health conditions like diabetes that can impact your eyes.

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