Men, Why is Your Health Important to You? - St. Luke's Health System

Men, Why is Your Health Important to You?
By Erik Nieuwenhuis MS, PT WorkSmart Injury Prevention Specialist and Wellness Consultant
St Luke’s Health System 712-279-1842 Nieuween@stlukes.org
Men, this is one of the most important questions that will affect both your professional and
personal life more than anything else. Why is your health and wellness important to you?
Did you know that you have the power to control up to 82% of your risk factors for developing
high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and cancer? My goal for this
article is to empower the men across Siouxland to take charge of their health and daily lifestyle
choices so they can be the best husband, father and leader.
Get Routine Physical Exams and Screenings
Each year, American men make 150 million fewer doctor visits than women. This occurs across
all age groups, education and socioeconomic groups. An American Medical Association study
concluded that men don’t go to their doctor for a variety of reasons including fear, denial,
embarrassment and threats to their masculinity. Don’t let one of these reasons you put your
health at risk.
Make an appointment for a complete physical exam today, and do this each year. I highly
recommend that you do this in the fall (September through November). If it’s been years since
you’ve seen your family doctor, don’t wait until the fall, call and schedule your appointment
today. After this appointment, I set my physical health goals for the year based on the findings
of this exam. Ask your doctor how often you should come back for check-ups. Conditions such
as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks, certain cancers, diabetes and sexually
transmitted diseases may have no symptoms and can only be diagnosed through an
examination. Early detection is key and almost always means a better chance for prevention of
the disease, or improved management.
Get your yearly flu shots from your employer and other vaccinations recommended by your
doctor. Vaccinations are often required for travel or to reduce job-related risks if you travel a lot
for your job. If your employer has a wellness program, now is the time for you to get involved.
Screening Tests—What you Need and When
1) Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. Your blood
pressure is tested every time you go and see your doctor and the best health number is <
(less than) 120/ 80. 115/75 or lower is an optimal blood pressure for improved quality of
life.
2) Cholesterol Checks: Have your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years, starting at
age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, start having
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your cholesterol checked at age 20 and do this each year. Best health numbers are:
Total Cholesterol < than 200, HDL cholesterol > or equal to 45 (60 and above is optimal),
and LDL less than 130 (less than 100 is optimal).
3) Colorectal Cancer Tests: Begin regular screening for colorectal cancer starting at age
50. Your doctor can help you decide which test—traditional or virtual colonoscopy-- is
right for you.
4) Diabetes (fasting blood sugar) Tests: Have a test to screen for pre-diabetes or
diabetes if you are overweight/ obese and especially if your waist is greater than 37
inches or you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Abdominal fat, “the beer
belly,” is the leading risk factor for diabetes in men.
5) Depression: If you’ve felt “down”, sad, or hopeless, or felt little interest or pleasure in
doing things for 2 weeks straight, talk to your doctor about whether he or she can screen
you for depression.
6) Prostate Cancer Screening: Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits of prostate
cancer screening if you are considering having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or
digital rectal examination (DRE) completed.
Protect Yourself by Thinking Safety and Working Smart
Fasten your safety belts, wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or a bike, apply proper
sunscreen, install smoke detectors in your home and test them each year, build safe and healthy
relationships with family and friends and wash your hands. We must be diligent in planning
ahead and being ready for emergencies to reduce the risks of preventable illness and accidents
in the home, workplace and at play.
Manage Your Stress Level
Spend quality time daily with your wife, family and friends. Balance your work, home life and
recreation. They are all very important and need your attention. Stay positive and encourage
others! Thank God for your daily blessings and pray. Take some time daily to relax. Get 7 to 8
hours of sleep each night.
Be Good To Yourself
Health is more than the absence of disease. It is a lifestyle choice that begins with you.
Choose yearly physical exams with your family doctor.
Get the recommended screening tests for your age and medical history.
Be tobacco free.
Choose to eat healthy.
Drink 40 or more ounces of water daily to reduce your heart disease risk by 50-60%.
Eat 5 or more servings of nuts (palm size is 1 serving and without added salt) each week
for a 40-60% reduction in heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Be physically active for 30 or more minutes per day or at least 2.5 hours each week.
Strength train at least 2-3 or more times each week to build muscle, lose inches of fat
around your belly and speed your metabolism.
Sources: 1) Men’s Health—The Basics by WellSource 2006
2) CDC and Prevention website www.cdc.gov/family/tips
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3) US Dept of Health and Human Services website
4) “Pot Bellies Warn of Later Problems” by Bruce E Beans “Health and You” 2008
5) Your Heart is in Your Hands www.ltgovernorschallenge.us Brochure NLGA Lt. Governor Patty
Judge’s 12 week wellness challenge for physical activity and eating fruits and vegetables daily
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