Women are 33% more likely to visit the doctor than men. This is a statistic from the CDC that is not that surprising. Think about how many times you’ve seen the men in your life visit the doctor without being forced. The reality is that many men don’t want to access care unless it’s critical, and they have reasons for it. One of the most popular reasons is the fear of visiting the doctor and getting a diagnosis they weren’t expecting.
It’s noted that many men visit the doctor and aren’t completely honest about their symptoms. They feel like they need to hold everything down and “be a man.” It shouldn’t be that way. That’s why we are making an effort to let everyone know that men’s health should be popular.
Let’s make an effort to make men’s health a trend. It’s important that everyone in the family gets the proper healthcare, and that includes dads, brothers, uncles, and every male in your life.
Men’s Health Threats
Men all over the country go years without visiting the doctor and exposing themselves to health threats. The number one reason certain conditions get to advanced stages is that they are not caught on time. If you don’t go to the doctor, there is no way that your provider can detect what is wrong or notice a symptom that can alert your provider to request lab tests. This is why there needs to be an emphasis on men’s health.
These are the top 10 men’s health issues:
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Prostate Cancer
- COPD & Respiratory Disease
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Depression
- Low Testosterone
- HIV & Other STDs
- Unintentional/Accidental Injuries
A person’s risk for these health issues depends on family health history and lifestyle. Many of these issues are life-threatening, but all diseases or conditions can be treated or cured. All it takes is a visit to the doctor. No one wants to lose a loved one, so it’s important to speak to the men around you and tell them the importance of visiting the doctor.
The conversation shouldn’t stop at visiting the medical doctor. Dental and behavioral health visits are just as important. The entire body is connected, so if oral health is not taken care of, it can affect everything else. It’s been proven that a smile you’re proud of boosts confidence. When it comes to mental health, a sound mind is a key to a sound body. Depression is a real issue in men. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that men’s mental health treatment is improved when their friends and relatives advise them to seek help. As stated before, many men feel the need to keep quiet and “tough it out.” We will always repeat that it doesn’t have to be that way. So, before it gets any further, speak to a therapist. And for those on the outside, always check up on the men around you.
What You Can Do To Join the Trend
We’re encouraging everyone to popularize men’s health this year. Making this a health trend is as simple as talking to the men in your life and asking them about the last time they visited the doctor. As a friend or family member, you can urge them to prioritize taking care of their health. Also, lend them a hand and let them know that if they feel something is wrong with them physically, emotionally, or mentally, they should speak up and let their doctor know. What they know can’t hurt them, but what they don’t know can. So, let’s popularize men’s health!
