June is men’s health month. There is no better time than now to check your health. June is dedicated raising awareness about preventable health issues and encouraging early detection and treatment for disease in men, boys and people assigned male at birth. This is the ideal time to encourage men, especially if they have been affected , to take control of their health.
Routine screenings and proactive care must be a priority as the country returns to normal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Americans receive only half of the preventive care, including screenings, they need even when it is a good year. Men die most often from chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. These diseases can be detected early and treated to improve survival rates and lower overall healthcare costs.
Common Health Problems, Causes, and Symptoms
Heart disease, stroke, prostate cancer and diabetes are three of the most common conditions for men. These diseases can be treated and detected early. However, regular screenings are necessary.
Heart diseaseThis happens when the blood vessels stop pumping enough blood to the heart. It is usually caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries. Heart disease, along with other conditions, can increase your chances of having a stroke. Men can experience chest pain, tightness and pressure, discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in their legs, arms, neck, jaw and upper abdomen as well as pain.
Factors that increase your chance of developing prostate cancerAge, family history, and obesity are all important. The risk of developing prostate cancer may also depend on race. African-American men are three times more likely than other men to develop the disease. According to the CDC, African-American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer later in life, have more advanced prostate cancer, and have a more severe form of prostate cancer than other men. A burning or painful sensation when you urinate, frequent urination or difficulty stopping or starting, blood in your urine or semen, sudden erectile dysfunction, or blood in your urine are all possible warning signs of prostate cancer. A larger problem may also be indicated by swelling or pain in your lower body.
DiabetesInsulin deficiency is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. It requires insulin injections daily to maintain blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and is more common in adults. The majority of diabetes cases are caused by type 2 diabetes. You should be aware of the following symptoms and warning signs: excessive thirst, hunger, blurred vision and gain, blurred sight, irritability and slow healing wounds. Also, darkening skin in areas where there are creases.
Important Screening Tests
Many health problems that men experience and those who are assigned to be male at birth can be addressed with screening tests. A primary care provider is important for maintaining your health. Sonora Quest Laboratories now offers a variety of screening tests through My Lab ReQuestTM. This allows people to order personalized and routine screenings to get a better and more comprehensive view of their health. Sonora Quest’s Men’s Complete Health Profile screening is a great way to identify potential health conditions, including heart disease and prostate cancer. This screening is especially important during men’s health month.
Heart Disease
Sonora Quest’s cholesterol profile can be a great place to start for men who want to monitor and maintain their heart health. A blood test is used to determine the total cholesterol level in the patient’s body. High total cholesterol can cause hardening of the arteries which could increase the risk of a heart attack. Another recommended test is the Cardio Health Screen (Lipid Panel), which evaluates the heart health and arteries. It can be done now without fasting. The panel measures LDL cholesterol (bad), HDL cholesterol (good), and triglycerides.
The CRP (High Sensitivity, C-Reactive Protein), screen looks for signs of inflammation in the body. This can be indicative of infection or chronic inflammatory diseases such as Lupus or rheumatoid.
Men with a normal risk of developing heart disease or stroke should be screened at least once every four to six year. Screening men at higher risk of stroke and heart disease should be done more frequently.
Prostate Cancer
A blood test called a prostate specific antigen (PSA), is the most commonly used test to detect prostate cancer. It is available through Sonora Quest’s My Lab ReQuest, without the need for a doctor’s order. PSA, a substance produced by the prostate is detected in high levels. Men who are more at risk for prostate cancer, especially African-American men, and those with a history of the disease, should start screening around age 40 to 45.
Diabetes
Blood sugar testing is required to determine if a person has prediabetes, Type 1 or Type 2. Sonora Quest’s My Lab ReQuest offers screening tests without the need for a doctor’s order. These include the Fasting Blood Sugar Test and Glucose Tolerance Test. The Fasting Blood Sugar Test measures blood glucose after an overnight fast. The Glucose Test measures blood sugar after a fast. The A1C Test measures blood sugar levels over the last two to three months.
A Diabetes Management Panel is a tool that can be used to track the progress of a diabetic patient and assess how their diabetes treatment plan is going. The patient can order the panel through My Lab Request. It includes both Glucose as well as Hemoglobin, which help monitor blood sugar levels and aid in managing diabetes.
Patients who have ordered the Diabetes Management Panel or any other testing through Sonora Quest previously have access to a Lab Report Dashboard. This dashboard records their results and allows them time-to-time review of their health patterns for improvement or out of range results. Once test results have been received, the dashboard is created automatically for all new patients.
Men’s health
Men can also start healthy habits now to avoid serious health problems and manage their current health issues. These are the building blocks of men’s health. These are some of the most common recommendations you may have heard.
A Healthy Diet
The food we eat gives our bodies the fuel they need to function.
You need to eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean protein, legumes, nuts, and other healthy foods in order to get the nutrients you need. Avoid junk food and “empty calories”, which are high in calories but have little nutritional value.
Regular exercise
Physical activity is more than just a way to lose weight. It also improves brain health and reduces the risk of developing disease. It can be difficult to get started, but even reducing your sedentary hours can make a huge difference. Begin with activities you love, such as walking the dog around the neighborhood or mowing your lawn in the evening. Then work your way up.
Get your Annual Physical
Men are more likely to be anxious about their health, dislike medical offices, or believe that their condition will improve by itself. Prostate cancer and stroke are both not going to let them wait. Three out of five men receive an annual physical. However, regular checks are vital to identify different diseases that may be threatening men’s health. You and your primary care provider can have a better picture of your health by using Sonora Quest’s My Lab ReQuest screening options in between appointments.
After having to put our health maintenance on hold due to time to get back to work. Sonora Quest’s My Lab ReQuest makes monitoring men’s health easier than ever. As age is a risk factor in almost all chronic diseases and increases the chance of developing them, it’s even more important for men to take steps towards better health and preventing serious illnesses. Your health is in your control, men! Men’s Health Month is the ideal time to get involved with fathers, brothers and uncles.
