June is Men’s Health Month

By: Nancy Wagner

Each year in June we celebrate men’s health. Why? Much of the focus is to bring awareness about men’s health to both men and women. Statistics tell us that men have more heart disease and cancer than women and have a shorter life expectancy. Some of this is genetics and lifestyle but some is also awareness, prevention and education. Men, as a group, don’t see their health care provider as often as recommended.

What would happen if men started going to see their provider more regularly and received regular preventative care and education? Perhaps we’d pick up warning signs and diseases earlier to help better prevent and treat them; creating longer lives or at least healthier lives. That’s the goal. So what can be done? Below is a list of suggestions from the CDC:

1. Get good sleep: Adults need 7-9 hours per night.
2. Toss out the tobacco: It’s never too late to stop smoking or chewing.
3. Move more: Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of activity/movement.
4. Eat healthy: Have a variety of fruits and vegetables daily and limit intakes of salt, sweets, fried foods and processed foods.
5. Tame stress: while some stress is actually good for us, too much is not. Learn to deal with your stress in healthy ways.
6. Stay on top of your game:
   1. See your provider regularly so problems are detected early.
   2. Pay attention to signs and symptoms and report them to your provider.
   3. Know your numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI.
   4. Get vaccinated.

Men’s health is a family affair as it also impacts mothers, daughters and sisters.

More information can be found at:

www.menshealthmonth.org

www.cdc.gov/men/nmhw/index.htm