| It is a fact that most men dislike going to | | | | |
| the doctor. Getting a medical examination is | | | | 4. Cancers - The Big "C" is actually made up |
| seen as a "weakness" or a very unmanly thing | | | | of various types of cancers. Men are prone to |
| to do, at least for the traditional, | | | | colon and prostate cancer --- both of which |
| macho-types. Some men actually need to be | | | | can be treated if these diseases are detected |
| dragged by the girlfriend or the wife to the | | | | early. |
| doctor's office just to get a check-up. But | | | | |
| why do they literally hate going to the | | | | 5. Anxiety Disorder - A growing number of men |
| doctor? Well, most men are very private and | | | | are being diagnosed with anxiety disorder, an |
| do not want to be touched especially by | | | | emotional and psychological condition that is |
| another man. An appointment with the doctor | | | | characterized by fear, apprehension, phobia, |
| is also very time-consuming, and men hate | | | | and other nervous conditions that are |
| that. Another reason is that men have a | | | | considered to be baseless or irrational. |
| "primal survival instinct" that makes them | | | | |
| avoid any situation that will possibly | | | | The Best Line of Defense |
| subject their body to any invasive procedure | | | | |
| such as being injected with a needle. Lastly, | | | | Regular doctor's check-ups, including |
| men are great at denial --- even for health | | | | sessions with a psychologist, should be |
| matters. Most men tend to put-off visiting a | | | | strongly considered by men if they want to |
| doctor until they reach their mid-40s to 50s. | | | | maintain their health. These examinations may |
| | | | entail the conduct of a blood pressure |
| But whether they like it or not, men must | | | | reading, weight and height measurements, EENT |
| accept the fact that they are mortal. Health | | | | (Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat) examination, |
| problems are inevitable in the same way that | | | | complete blood count, urinalysis, chest-ray, |
| death is inescapable. Men can no longer deny | | | | and ECG (electrocardiograph). Other important |
| or put-off the need to have regular medical | | | | medical examinations no man above 40 should |
| check-ups. | | | | miss include: |
| | | | |
| Many serious health cases among men could | | | | · Routine examination of prostrate glands |
| have been treated had they received medical | | | | |
| attention in the early stages of the disease. | | | | · Annual stool examination |
| Preventive care is as important as taking a | | | | |
| bath and brushing our teeth. Routine | | | | · Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) |
| examinations are undeniably essential to | | | | |
| identify symptoms and detect disease. When | | | | Staying alive and healthy could entail some |
| doctors perform a check-up, they need to be | | | | expenses but becoming ill is more expensive |
| fully aware of the patient's medical history, | | | | in terms of time and money. These are some of |
| age, body weight, and dietary habits. These | | | | the simple ways that men can improve or |
| information will help the doctor determine | | | | maintain their health without spending a |
| the risk factors and predisposition of the | | | | fortune: |
| patient to certain illnesses. | | | | |
| | | | 1. Smoking - The World Health Organization |
| Most men only visit the doctor when they feel | | | | has consistently campaigned against smoking |
| terribly bad or once they see very alarming | | | | due to its close links to lung cancer and |
| signs or symptoms of illness. Shown below are | | | | other deadly pulmonary diseases. |
| some of the most common ailments experienced | | | | |
| by men: | | | | 2. Alcohol - Habitual and excessive intake of |
| | | | alcohol increases the risk of cardiovascular, |
| 1. Heart attack - Many victims of heart | | | | liver and stomach problems among men. |
| attack die before they reach the hospital. | | | | |
| Many die not even knowing that they had a | | | | 3. Eating unhealthy food - Wrong food choices |
| heart problem. victims died before ever | | | | contribute to illness in a major way. Foods |
| reaching the hospital. It is never too early | | | | high in bad cholesterol should be totally |
| to get a heart check-up since even young | | | | avoided. |
| people are now prone to heart disease. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Risky Sexual Behavior - Promiscuity is a |
| 2. Hypertension - It is a medical condition | | | | health risk since a man can expose himself to |
| where a person's blood pressure is | | | | sexually transmitted disease. |
| chronically elevated. Common symptoms of | | | | |
| hypertension include headaches, fatigue, | | | | 5. Stress - Too much work pressure and too |
| dizziness, and facial flushing. | | | | little sleep? Stress and anxiety can trigger |
| | | | problems like heart attacks and |
| 3. High cholesterol - Cholesterol is a | | | | psycho-emotional disorders. |
| fat-like, waxy substance that is found in | | | | |
| human cells. It is also found in the fatty | | | | As the saying goes health is wealth. An ounce |
| food that we eat. Cholesterol is important | | | | of prevention is worth more than a pound of |
| for the production of hormones and other | | | | cure. Indeed, men should start paying more |
| substances that aid in food digestion. | | | | attention to their health and not postpone |
| However, too much "bad" cholesterol or the | | | | appointments with their doctor. Staying |
| build-up of cholesterol in the arteries | | | | healthy and strong is the real macho thing to |
| leading to the heart makes a person more | | | | do --- even if entails going to the doctor |
| prone to heart attack. | | | | once in a while. |