Get Well Wednesday: How Men Can Safeguard Their Health

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June is Men’s Health Month and today’s Get Well Wednesday is part of a Radio One initiative to represent for the brothers. Far too many studies show that African-American men are near the top of the leaderboard for deaths due to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. And when it comes to being proactive about our health, they’re near the bottom of the list.

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO GET MEN TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND HOW CAN THEIR LOVED ONES GET THEM THERE?

Sometimes men are experiencing issues that they may feel uncomfortable talking with their doctor about
Some are not in the habit of seeing the doctor regularly
Some may not know the importance of regular screenings

Ways to get your man to the doctor:

Make sure he has a doctor he likes and is comfortable with
Make regular appointments- schedule the next appointment before leaving the office so your man knows when he should follow-up
Make a list of health concerns to talk with the doc about
Go with your man to the doctor

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DOCTOR?

How comfortable you are with the doctor- the rapport you have
If you feel you can be open and honest with your doc
If you feel that your doctor truly listens to your concerns and how you are feeling
It’s important to feel as though you have a partner in your healthcare

WHAT ARE SOME KEY TESTS MEN NEED AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE?

20’S AND 30’S

Yearly doctor’s appointments
Regular STD testing if you are sexually active, HIV screen
Learn your family history to know what conditions you might be at risk for
Screening for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes if you are at high risk
Smoking cessation
Exercise
Eating a healthy diet
Vaccines: Flu shot, Tetanus
Regular eye and dental exams

40’S AND 50’S

Colonoscopy at age 45 years old for African-Americans (45 or 50 for others at average risk), or earlier

Prostate cancer screening – USPSTF says to talk to your doctor about the pros/cons of screening between ages 55-69. If you have a family history, you may need to be screened earlier
Screening for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
Screening for Hep C, receive vaccines
Regular eye and dental exams
Smoking cessation
Exercise
Eating a healthy diet

60’S AND 70’S

Vaccinations- pneumonia, shingles, flu shots
Prostate Cancer screening – USPSTF says to talk to your doctor about the pros/cons of screening between ages 55-69. If you have a family history, you may need to be screened earlier
Regular Eye and dental exams
Smoking cessation
Exercise
Eating a healthy diet

IS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION INEVITABLE? CAN IT BE AVOIDED OR DELAYED?

It is not necessary inevitable. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a number of underlying conditions. For some men, low testosterone or other hormonal changes affect erectile dysfunction. For other men, medications may cause issues with erectile function. For some, underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease affect erectile function.

MEN OFTEN IGNORE SIGNS OF STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. IS THIS SOMETHING A DOCTOR CAN EASILY DIAGNOSE?

YES! This is! Men should definitely talk about how you are feeling emotionally with your doctor how you feel mentally can ultimately affect how you feel physically.

ARE HEART ATTACKS, DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL HEREDITARY. HOW CAN A PERSON TELL IF THEY’RE AT RISK FOR THESE DISEASES?

Often, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc are hereditary. This is why it is really important to know your family history and to get into the office to be screened for these conditions early on. With proper lifestyle changes and with screening and other interventions, these conditions can often be managed quite well.

TEXT YOUR QUESTIONS TO 646464 AND DR. CAUDLE WILL ANSWER THEM ON BLACK AMERICAWEB.COM

Dr. Jen Caudle is a board-certified family physician and associate professor at Rowan University. She frequently appears as a health expert on the Dr. Oz Show, Fox News, CNN, HLN and others.

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