Tips for men to protect their health

Casey Hurst, MD

Family Medicine

Gentlemen, you and your health go hand in hand. As a reminder to make sure you are living a healthy life, Casey Hurst, MD, shared a few tips to help you protect your health and well-being.   

“Unfortunately, I commonly see men who have neglected their health and present with more advanced stages of disease,” Dr. Hurst said. “Primary care is intended to not only manage chronic disease but, in many instances, prevent illness by promoting screenings, identifying early risk factors, and encouraging change. Even if you consider yourself healthy, there are many benefits to seeing your primary care doctor on a regular or yearly basis.”

Dr. Hurst shared a few areas that men should concentrate on:

Get screened. 

Screenings can help detect early signs of diseases and identify risk factors. Here are some important screenings for men:

• Prostate. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the United States. Discussions about prostate cancer screening which include lab work and physical examination should begin around age 50.
• Cholesterol. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and elevated cholesterol is an important modifiable risk factor. Screening should begin at age 35 for all men, and even as early as age 20 for men at increased risk.
• Colon. Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men. Screening tests, which include colonoscopy, are designed to detect earlier, more treatable stages of disease and reduce overall risk of death. These discussions should begin at age 50, and even earlier for those at increased risk.

Find a primary care doctor and see your doctor regularly.

• In addition to performing regular physical examinations, your doctor should make sure you are up to date on recommended screenings and immunizations.
• Your primary care doctor should be your primary source of information when it comes to understanding your health.
• Your doctor should be your first line of defense when it comes to preventing and managing chronic disease.

Exercise regularly.

• Exercise has many health benefits and has been proven to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, improve blood pressure, help achieve and maintain a healthier weight, improve cognition and memory, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• It is recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise each week to maximize health benefits.
• Switch it up. Try yoga, cycling or other fitness classes to vary your routine. Yoga, for example, helps build your core muscles which can alleviate back pain and improve joint stability.

Reduce stress and enjoy yourself.

Too often we get so caught up in our everyday routines that we do not take time to sit and enjoy ourselves. Stress can have significant detrimental effects on physical and mental health. 

• Appreciate the little things. 
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Spend quality time with friends and family.
• Learn to live in the moment by practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques.