Five ways men can take care of their health

Men and women often handle health differently, with men less likely than women to look after their health and see a healthcare provider. In fact, men are 25 percent less likely to have visited a healthcare provider in the past year, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

And when it comes to mental health, men often struggle to prioritize their emotional well-being. The result? Delays and reluctance to address their health is one reason men’s average life expectancy is shorter than that of women.

Five ways men can take care of their health:

1.  Make an appointment with your doctor. Going to the doctor isn’t just for when you feel bad. You should have a physical or wellness exam each year, and health insurance typically covers it. Your care team will monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, prostate and testicular health, all indicators of potentially serious health conditions. Proactively taking this step could prevent future health complications, pain, and even hospital stays.

2.  Look for small ways to improve your health. We know the key things to do to stay healthy: Be physically active, don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet and stay at a healthy weight.

But staying healthy is more complicated than checking items off a list. Identify a health opportunity you need to improve and look for smaller, more realistic steps. For example, if your blood pressure is high, make small daily improvements to your health, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator to get more exercise.

3.  Talk to your doctor about prostate health. Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers affecting men in the U.S. Despite this, the 5-year survival rate for most people with prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent when it is diagnosed while still in the local or regional stage.

This makes awareness of family history and seeking early detection essential components for treating prostate cancer. Screening recommendations vary depending on family history but should start at around 45 years of age for those at average risk.

4.  Learn how to do a testicular self-exam. According to the American Cancer Society, if you have certain risk factors that increase your chance of developing testicular cancer, you should consider monthly self-exams and talk about it with your doctor. If you examine your testicles regularly, you will get familiar with what is normal and what is different. Always report any changes to your doctor right away.

5.  Take mental health seriously. Men in the U.S. die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women. Yet, men are diagnosed with depression and mood disorders at much lower rates than women. Traditionally, men are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns for many reasons, including issues such as societal stigma and fear of judgment.

Sometimes depression is disguised as excess stress or anxiety and other emotions. If you suspect you may suffer from depression, take a screening for depression and share it with your healthcare provider. Do not wait or try to take matters into your own hands. Your emotional well-being is as important as your physical well-being.

Men can also help break the unhealthy attitudes and beliefs surrounding men’s mental health by openly discussing emotional well-being with friends and family. Check in with one another and work to normalize these conversations.

If you are in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lifeline provides confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Support is also available via live chat.

Prioritize your health

Connecting with your healthcare team at least once a year is an important step to prioritizing your health. Sentara offers several ways to connect with our care teams. New patients can schedule an appointment online for a new doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Returning patients can sign into MyChart to schedule an appointment with their care team.

Other options for care include virtual care for minor illnesses and walk-in care.