Five Myths about Men’s Health
It is often difficult for men to invest the time to take care of their bodies. Obviously, the two best things you can do for your body are to eat a balanced diet and to exercise. Fruit and veg aren’t expensive if you know where to look, and you can get great discounts on sportswear if you visit a discounter like Raise. Money shouldn’t be a barrier to your health, and whilst some things can be expensive, you just need to be savvy. However, healthy eating and exercise aren’t going to protect you from every health problem. There are many mental and sexual health issues that men experience that often go unchecked. It is important for men to look into the possibility of health insurance so they can get these checkups and take charge of their health and wellbeing by researching florida health insurance exchanges as well as other policies to make them prepared and safe. However, when you do pass on, ensuring that you have suitable life insurance and other cover is very important. This includes covering your funeral costs, so getting funeral insurance means you can give your family a lump sum of money to cover things like flowers and cremation cost. Let’s dismiss some of the more common beliefs about men’s health.
Myth: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Truth: A lack of preventive screenings can lead to poor outcomes.
Testosterone has been linked to elevations of LDL (the bad cholesterol) and declines in HDL (the good cholesterol). Men also have fewer infection-fighting T-cells and are thought to have weaker immune systems than women. Despite this information, women are 100% more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men. Sadly, in part due to the lower amount of medical care, men die almost five years earlier than women.
Myth: Long lives come from good genes.
Truth: Most diseases involve complex genetic interactions, in addition to environmental and lifestyle influences.
Genetic predispositions for certain diseases do exist, however lifestyle habits can either greatly exacerbate or lessen these occurrences. For example, heart disease, the leading cause of death for men, can be avoided through preventive measures, like eating a proper diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco and monitoring cholesterol and blood pressure.
Myth: Prostate is a dirty word.
Truth: All men should have their prostate checked.
This year, more than 220,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the disease will kill more than 20,000. These unnecessary deaths can be prevented! Regular masturbation with devices such as this automatic stroker can help prevent prostate cancer. However, screening is always bettter. When detected early, prostate cancer has a nearly 100% survival rate. If you’re afraid to get checked, it’s time to man up. A prostate cancer screening could save your life.
Myth: Big boys don’t cry.
Truth: Depression, which is common among men and women, is too often stigmatized as an emotional weakness among men.
Depression often goes undiagnosed in men and the consequences are staggering. Men, ages 15 – 19, are four times as likely to commit suicide as their female counterparts. That rate increases among men ages 20 – 24, who are six times as likely to commit suicide as women. Depression in men is often manifested by physical symptoms, like back pain, headaches, difficulty sleeping or sexual problems. Medical and therapeutic intervention can decrease the debilitating feelings of despair and depression that contribute to these grim statistics.
Myth: It’s every man for himself!
Truth: Everyone should advocate for Men’s Health Awareness.
The familial, societal and economic role of men cannot be diminished. As the health of men deteriorates, poverty rates, even among women, increase. At every level, we are all affected by these critical issues. The world needs men – healthy men, to be specific. By combating these issues with awareness and prevention, we can break down the barriers that create serious health disparities.
The Biggest Myth of All…
…is that one person can’t make a difference. Start today by urging the men in your life to be better stewards of their health by seeking preventive screenings, regularly visiting their doctors, eating a nutritious diet and engaging in a consistent exercise regimen.
Throughout the month of June, the Gift of Life Program and Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas will be hosting free men’s health screenings for men without health insurance over the age of 45 (40 if African American or with a family history of prostate cancer) in Port Arthur (June 6 at Carl Parker Center), Beaumont (June 13 at Lamar Institute of Technology) and Orange (June 20 at Lamar State College). These screenings offer educational health awareness, a battery of free primary care testing, prostate-specific antigen blood screenings and consultations with local physicians.
