Men's Health Month: Small Changes, Big Impact on Longevity
By Tamer Said, M.D.
Did you know that women live longer than men? That’s right – on average, men live five years less than women. However, this discrepancy is not just a matter of fate. While there are a range of conditions that disproportionately affect men – things like obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, as well as prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer – all of these conditions are preventable and/or manageable. You can also certainly extend your life expectancy by making some small but impactful changes. June is Men’s Health Month; now may be the perfect time to start.
Healthy Habits
A lot of things that happen when you’re older actually start when you’re younger, so you want to start early when it comes to staying on top of your health. The first step is finding a primary care doctor who can help you address any habits that are detrimental to your well-being. Men can also have a habit of brushing off small health concerns until they’ve grown into bigger problems. That’s why having a primary care physician you trust is so important – they can help pinpoint any potential health problems early, so you get the care you need right away.
Routine Screenings
The best way to catch problems early is to stay on top of important age-appropriate health screenings. For men, it is particularly important to be screened for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. These screenings, which should ideally start in a man’s 20s and continue regularly throughout life, can detect early signs of health issues, and allow for timely intervention and management. As men age, additional screenings become crucial, including those for prostate and colorectal cancer. With rising incidences of colorectal cancer in younger individuals, screening for this disease can start now at age 45.
Nourish and Move
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases by helping you maintain optimal health. Focus on eating more unprocessed, organic foods and stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily. It’s also important to get moving, so plan regular physical activity, with the goal of doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week. It may sound like a lot, but you can hit that by doing just 20 or 30 minutes of exercise for three or four days a week.
Think Long Term
Men’s Health Month serves as a timely reminder for men to prioritize their health and well-being. Ultimately, the key to longevity lies in empowerment – making those informed choices about their health, prioritizing self-care, and seeking out preventive healthcare measures. By making positive changes today, men can pave the way for a healthier and happier future.
Tamer Said, M.D. is a family medicine physician and a geriatrician with Mercy Health – Lorain Family Health Center. He received his medical degree from Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
