January 12, 2024
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Health experts recommend that men over 50 should receive an annual physical. Younger men should undergo physical examinations every three to five years.
A fundamental flaw in male health behavior is an aversion to medical care. This is particularly evident in something as basic as a routine physical examination.
When compared to women, men are less inclined to get routine care, with many saying they "wait as long as possible" to seek care when feeling ill or experiencing pain, according to the Harvard Medical School. A survey by the Cleveland Clinic found that 44% of men polled did not get an annual physical.
Medical experts are clear and consistent in their advocacy for routine care, even if you feel fine. It may uncover hidden health problems. The MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that men can pay a high price by neglecting to get routine care and potentially lifesaving screening tests.
The Mayo Clinic recommends a yearly physical exam for men over 50 and a physical exam every three to five years for guys under 50. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also endorses preventative care, such as routine checkups, and extends its advice to include screening tests, vaccines, dental cleanings and education that can keep you informed on important health decisions.
With so much on the line – literally life and death in some cases – why are men so resistant to medical attention? A big factor, and a recurring theme in my advocacy for men's health, is masculinity.
Yes, generation after generation of men continue to feel that receiving medical care is somehow an admission that they are less of a man. Masculine norms remain a huge impediment to men getting the care they need. The American Heart Association calls it misguided masculinity with serious health ramifications. The AHA reports that traditional male messaging, such as "take it like a man," contributes to a culture of rigidity, while women are encouraged to see doctors regularly when reaching puberty. Distrust of the medical system is higher in men, which further impacts male conditioning.
Ideally, men over 50 would pencil in an annual checkup as if they were taking their car in for an oil change, but since men often pay more attention to their vehicles, here are some of the signs and symptoms that medical experts say should not be ignored but trigger a visit to the doctor.
According to Cedars-Sinai, the 10 most common conditions disregarded by men include skin irregularities, like odd-looking moles that could be a sign of cancer, and excessive snoring, which could signal sleep apnea. The medical center also cites changes in bowel habits, like chronic constipation and bloody stools, as possible indications of colorectal cancer. Frequent heartburn can signal gastrointestinal issues, excessive thirst can be a symptom of diabetes, and chest pain can mean heart disease.
The City of Hope cancer centers says that men are at higher risk of cancer than women and highlights prostate cancer as a disease that affects more than half of American men. Symptoms of prostate problems include pain during ejaculation, persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis, frequent urination in the day or night, and a burning sensation when urinating.
According to the CDC, every minute counts when it comes to stroke. Fast treatment can reduce brain damage. If there ever were a circumstance to prompt men to seek care, this is it. The signs of a stroke include a sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Other signs include confusion, trouble seeing or walking and a sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Erectile dysfunction or hypogonadism (low T-testosterone) affect half the men in the U.S. between ages of 40 and 70, according to medical experts at Yale Medicine. The inability, whether sudden or progressively, to get or keep an erection long enough for sex is a troubling symptom with both medical and social implications — and a condition that should motivate a trip to the urologist. Equally concerning, Yale also indicates that erectile dysfunction can be associated with kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, lack of physical fitness and smoking. It's more motivation to get the care you need to identify and treat such conditions.
Finally, not to be missed are the signs and symptoms of a mental health problem. A common, often neglected condition is male depression. The same Cleveland Clinic survey that reported on routine visits also indicated that 44% of the men reported that they do not take care of their mental health. The Mayo Clinic calls male depression a "serious medical condition" that often goes untreated.
Common signs of depression in men include feeling irritable, isolated or withdrawn, working more extensively, or drinking too much. Other indicators can include feeling extremely tired, having trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, headaches, digestive problems and violent behavior. The signs of depression also can be indicators of other mental health issues or associated with medical conditions, which is why professional help is recommended to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
While outdated views on masculinity cause men to defer any thought of a doctor's visit, there is a ton of research that present additional reasons, like fear of discovering a serious problem and not having enough time. Really?
I ended 2023 by suggesting that men should narrow their focus on just one life – their own. Set aside the daunting negative data on male behaviors, forget what others do, and consider traditional definitions of masculinity as neanderthal. I presented examples of prominent guys who have confronted physical and mental challenges and have successfully set a new standard.
In view of the benefits, why not start 2024 with a visit to your primary care doc? It could save your life and keep you around for the folks that really love you. It's the first step in caring for that one and most important life, yours.
