7 Tips for Men’s Health
As a man, you likely put your loved one’s health and needs before yours. You may never even think of going to a doctor unless you are experiencing severe symptoms. Doctors do not recommend this approach — you should not wait for a serious health issue to see a doctor. There are preventive services that you are missing out on that can help you live healthier and longer.
If you are thinking of becoming a better advocate for your health, here are 7 tips for better men’s health.
#1 Know your family history
Your family medical history is valuable information that your doctor can use in planning for health risk reduction. A history of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer may increase your risk of developing them, for instance. Approaches to prevention and health screenings are highly individualized according to patient lifestyle and medical history.
#2 Eat healthily
Unhealthy food can increase your risk of developing chronic diseases. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes can affect your circulation, which can lead to men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction. It’s always a good idea to choose vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains instead of junk food.
Portion control is important even if your food choices are healthy since a high-calorie intake has been found to spur the enlargement of the prostate.
#3 Exercise
At least 30-minutes of aerobic exercise daily is beneficial to overall health. Aim for doing at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Among the many benefits of exercise for men’s health include better heart health, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and healthier blood vessels. Overall, exercise may also lower the risk for diseases such as prostate cancer.
Doing pelvic exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles may be preventive against an enlarged prostate.
#4 Quit smoking
Smoking affects circulation, which in men, can affect the quality of erections. Studies also show that smoking decreases the quality of sperm, which affects fertility. Smoking also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and lung cancer, nearly all cases of which are attributed to smoking.
#5 Prioritize sleep
If you think a few hours of sleep every night is adequate, think again. The effect of lack of sleep is not just how you feel the next day, it increases your risk of chronic diseases, including obesity and depression. According to research, men who are chronically sleep-deprived are at higher risk of infertility compared to those who get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep has been linked to lower testosterone levels or hypogonadism, which can also cause low sex drive or libido.
#6 See a doctor even when not sick
Seeing your primary care provider regularly can provide many great benefits. Regular checkups, early treatment, health screenings, and diet and lifestyle counseling are just some of the services you can get from regular visits. Again, you do not have to be ill or in pain to see a doctor. Moreover, regular visits to the doctor allow them to personalize your care plan further to protect your health and reduce the risk of diseases.
#7 See a specialist for sexual health problems
Your best resource for health screenings is a primary care provider. However, if you are a man concerned about sexual health, see a urologist, a doctor specializing in diagnosing, treating, and preventing male reproductive and urinary issues.
A urologist can screen for reproductive and urinary issues and detect certain diseases or cancers. Problems such as painful erections, pain during sex, pain when urinating, urinary incontinence, fertility issues, and loss of sexual desire can be treated by a urologist. You can receive diet, physical activity, and lifestyle modification guidance from a urologist.
As a man, you should make health a priority. If you are healthy, you are in a much better position to care for your family.
Urologist Specializing in Men’s Health Issues in Concord and Charlotte, NC
Your sexual health affects overall health, and vice versa. Dr. Richard Natale is a board-certified urologist specializing in diagnosing, treating, and preventing men’s health issues. In our clinic, you get specialized, personalized, and patient-centric care. Dr. Natale is a member of Carolina Urology Partners, a top urology practice.
See us for your sexual or urinary problem. To schedule an appointment, call Dr. Natale’s urology clinic today at (704) 786-5131, or use our convenient appointment request form. We look forward to being your partner in health.
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