With Father’s Day being celebrated every June, the month is certainly a great one to honor men. But Father’s Day is not the only June event specifically for men. The entire month is actually Men’s Health Month, and it’s a great time to take a moment to assess your overall health and get an annual checkup.
ANNUAL PHYSICALS
Why do men typically wait until they feel bad or something is wrong before they go to their provider for a medical evaluation? If men looked at caring for their health the way they take care of a car or boat, they would realize the importance of preventative maintenance. We take vehicles in for oil changes, tire rotation/balance, and 30k, 60k, and 90k services whether we need to or not. We know this preventative maintenance can maximize vehicle performance, saving time and money in the long run. If men took a similar approach to their bodies, it could help prevent medical issues that arise over time from neglect.
An annual physical is always a great starting point. Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and pulse oximetry, or the amount of oxygen measurable through your fingertips, will all be monitored. Your provider should also order blood work to check for cholesterol levels, kidney and liver function, diabetes, anemia, thyroid function, prostate health, and your testosterone level. Additional labs may be run based on medical history. At Optimum Mens Health, we also offer a complete physical exam from head-to-toe and a full skin exam.
WHY DEDICATE AN ENTIRE MONTH TO MEN’S HEALTH?
While most men put their health last on the priority list, dedicating a month to reminding men to get annual checkups is a great way to bring attention back to the true importance of men’s health. Often, men are the main providers for their families, and declining health can have a negative effect on everyone in the family.
Women tend to be more proactive about their own physical health, seeing women’s healthcare specialists at least annually. Men generally wait until they have symptoms before calling their healthcare provider for an exam. We highly recommend all men have a general health assessment every year, especially since most insurance companies cover an annual physical with your primary care physician. At Optimum Mens Health, we focus only on men’s health, enabling our clinic to provide thorough and specific care tailored to our patients’ preventative needs.
BENEFITS OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
Annual physical exams lead to early detections of many common health issues, possibly preventing or even reversing negative effects, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
At Optimum Mens Health, we help you stay ahead of any ailments by detecting problems early, possibly preventing issues before they begin, teaching lifestyle changes, and by prescribing necessary medications to help control and prevent further symptoms. The sooner you detect an issue, the easier it is to manage and potentially reverse any ill side effects.
THE OPTIMUM MENS HEALTH DIFFERENCE
In addition to your usual annual checkup, Optimum Mens Health includes a testosterone check with every physical. Low testosterone levels can contribute to elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and even prostate cancer risks. Knowing these levels is an important part of our regular exams. We also discuss other lifestyle changes our patients can implement to benefit their health, such as eating more plant-based foods.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Men are grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, friends, and coworkers. They take on many responsibilities within their families and at work, and their health is extremely important to everyone in their lives.
YOUR HEALTH IS IMPORTANT. Contact Optimum Mens Health today to schedule your checkup.