Men are known for not seeking medical care. Perhaps that’s due to the “macho” image they like to display, that they feel invincible, or they just don’t seem to have the time. Worse still, men often ignore a problem’s symptoms until it’s difficult to treat or too late to do anything significant. And, needless to say, all of these approaches can produce bad health-related issues.
That’s where women come in.
“Women will discuss medical issues with their friends, whereas men are reluctant to do the same,” observes Dr. Gregg R. Eure, who specializes in all aspects of adult urology. “Some surveys show that women go to the doctor 4 times more often than men. A girlfriend or wife can be important to encourage men to seek medical care. Men without a female influence are even less likely to see a physician.”
So with that in mind, we asked Dr. Eure to give us the top 5 medical appointments that women should encourage the men in their lives to consider.
Prostate
The prostate has a large impact on men’s health. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, close behind lung cancer. Found early, it is a very treatable disease.
An enlarged prostate can greatly impact quality of life. The medical term for this benign condition is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. It develops in half of men after the age of 50, and half of those men will experience symptoms. These include frequent and difficult urination, nocturia (getting up to void at night) and urgency to void. More often than not the symptoms continue to worsen. Untreated men can develop incontinence, infection, bleeding, bladder deterioration and even kidney failure.
There are several medicines that treat BPH. There is also a growing, out-patient laser treatment using the GreenLight Laser. This is a simple, more permanent, treatment that can vastly improve a man’s quality of life.
Cardio Vascular
Cardiac disease is still the number one killer in men. It is important for men to know their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Knowing and controlling risk factors can improve and extend one’s lifespan.
Penile Health
The quality of a man’s erection can serve as a barometer for male health. The development of an erection requires good arterial blood flow, muscles to trap blood in healthy veins, and intact nerves. Also the male hormone, testosterone, factors in the process. We are continuing to learn that testosterone is not only important for erections but also for sexual desire, energy level, bone health and several other conditions.
Atherosclerosis or ischemic heart disease can first show up in a deterioration of erectile function. Tobacco use can also impact negatively on erections, a fact that many men are not aware of.
Gastrointestinal
Colon cancer is the number 3 cause of cancer death in men. Screening with a colonoscopy is recommended after the age of 50, or younger with family history or certain risk factors.
General Health
Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in this country. In many cases in can be prevented, or at least well controlled. This chronic disease can impact many of a man’s functions. Counseling concerning the impact and importance of nutrition and exercise are mandatory.
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in men, but it’s often associated with tobacco abuse. Smoking cessation can be address by all providers. Screening with CAT Scans has proven helpful in long term smokers.
“Knowing Your Numbers” can help guide a man towards better health and wellness management. These numbers include blood pressure, pulse, prostate specific antigen, glucose level to rule out diabetes or prediabetes, cholesterol and testosterone.
A primary care provider, family practitioner, or internal medicine specialist can manage many of these issues. A urologist can often serve as a man’s health specialist as well. More and more urologists are focusing on the unique, important issues that impact men. This may help get men more comfortable seeking care in the future on their own.
Post a Comment