In 2001, research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that women were 100 percent more likely to seek preventative health care than men. Sound familiar? Here, Ryan Singerman, DO, PPG – Family Medicine, offers a handful of reasons why it’s time to pick up the phone and schedule your annual exam.
Establishing a relationship with a physician before illness occurs allows them to be better able to guide you, effectively screen for diseases and help you achieve optimal health.
Five Reasons to See a Physician Routinely
1. Diabetes
According to the CDC, there were an estimated 15.3 million men with diabetes in 2017, and roughly 4 million of those cases were undiagnosed. High blood sugar causes damage to every part of our body that receives blood. The earlier the condition is detected, the sooner an appropriate treatment plan can be executed.
2. Obesity
Every one with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 is technically obese. It plays a major role in heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and premature death. A physician can help develop a plan to get your weight back on track.
3. Cancers
Men are at high risk for prostate, lung and colon cancer. Screenings are essential for early detection and treatment.
4. Erectile Dysfunction
While most men don’t want to discuss this condition, it is far more common than you’d think. At age 40, approximately 40 percent of men are affected by erectile dysfunction. By age 70, it’s nearly 70 percent.
5. Vaccinations
Men need a routine regiment of vaccinations, including a tetanus booster, shingles vaccine, and pneumonia vaccine, at certain ages and every so many years. A physician can guide you through the recommendations and explain the significance.
