5 Ways to Keep Men Healthy as They Age
Posted June 26, 2023 by Kevin Spear, M.D.
Statistically speaking, the truth is men don’t live as long as women.
That’s why it’s critical that men of all ages recognize potential health risks and start taking precautions early on. While they can’t change their genes, they can change some of their risk factors by taking steps to live a healthier lifestyle.
Some of the biggest health concerns facing men today include heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Summa Health offers 5 tips to prioritize men’s health—and slow down aging. By choosing a healthier lifestyle and scheduling routine checkups with their providers today, they are taking the first step towards a healthier tomorrow. The women in their lives will thank them!
1. Schedule regular health checkups
Men are notorious for avoiding the doctor and unusual symptoms. In fact, research shows that nearly 45 percent of men between ages 18 and 50 do not have a primary care physician (PCP).
However, regular appointments with a PCP and dentist are important ways to be proactive in their health.
Men should see a PCP at least once a year for a routine checkup and screening evaluation to check and monitor important risk factors. They should have their cholesterol checked at age 25 and at least every five years thereafter, depending on the results. They should also have their blood pressure checked at least every two years and take appropriate measures to lower the rate, if elevated.
In addition, the American Diabetes Association recommends men get checked for diabetes if they have a family history, a body mass index of 25 or higher, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, and are over the age of 45.
For men who have no known chronic conditions, a periodic health evaluation may be the only opportunity to discuss preventive care and, hopefully, prevent disease. Regular appointments also provide the opportunity to discuss any health concerns they may have and how best to address them.
2. Regularly screen for cancer
Regular cancer screenings increase the chances of detecting certain cancers early when they are easier to treat. In fact, screening tests can help find a cancer before a man experiences any symptoms.
The American Cancer Society recommends screening tests for men for the following cancers:
Prostate cancer: Men who are obese, have higher levels of testosterone and are 50 years or older should have a prostate cancer test. How often depends on the man’s risk factors.(African Americans should start screening at age 40)
Colorectal cancer: Men should have regular colorectal cancer tests starting at age 45, as well as those with inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal polyps and a family history of colon cancer.
Lung cancer: Men who are 50 to 80 years old and either have a history of heavy smoking and smoke now, or have quit within the last 15 years should have yearly lung cancer screenings with a low-dose CT scan.
3. Maintain a healthy diet
A healthy diet can help lower the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer. Men should make sure their diet is chock full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products. Lean meats, such as poultry, fish, beans and eggs, are great sources of protein.
In addition, they should replace saturated fats from red meat, butter and fried fast foods with healthy fats from salmon, nuts and seeds. Men also need to be sure to limit their intake of sodium and sugar.
Last but not least, men should drink plenty of water. Ideally, they should aim to drink about a gallon a day.
4. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is the best way to improve heart health, maintain weight, and increase muscle strength, flexibility and balance. It also reduces stress and can help men sleep better at night.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends men do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, biking or swimming) a week and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
5. Avoid unhealthy lifestyle choices
Men should limit alcohol consumption to two drinks a day or less and if they smoke, it’s never too late to quit. It is estimated that cigarette smoking is responsible for one in every five deaths each year and, on average, smokers die about 10 years earlier than non-smokers based on data from the CDC.
Smoking cessation is likely the single most important factor to minimize a man’s risk of stroke, high blood pressure, COPD, cancer and heart disease.
Don’t neglect your health. To schedule an appointment with a Summa Health provider, call 330.374.1255.
About the Author
Vitality eNews Sign Up
Receive the Summa Health eNewsletter for the latest health tips, advice and updates.
Related Blogs
You’ve probably heard about the modern classic: “Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.” This well-known book highlights the differences between men and women in communication, behavior and emotions. But there’s another key difference worth noting: their approach to healthcare.
Compared to women, men are less likely to seek medical attention when something seems wrong and less inclined to have preventive screenings and regular health checkups with…
Testosterone is what makes a man look and feel like a man. It’s the male sex hormone responsible for a man’s puberty, fertility and his sexual desire.
Produced in the testicles, testosterone works to help boys develop male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, a deeper voice and muscle strength during puberty. Men also need the hormone to produce sperm. In addition, testosterone ensures adequate levels of red blood cells and bone density, boosts mood and…
Do you often find yourself replying, “Say that again,” during a conversation? Do you have difficulty understanding words while in a crowded place? Does it seem as if your loved one is mumbling or talking quieter than usual? These could be signs of hearing loss.
As we age, hearing lossis a common problem. In fact, nearly 25 percent of people ages 65 to 74 and half of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of…
Dr. Dankoff provides an overview of testicular cancer. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment options.
Are you feeling the pressure to live a heart-healthy lifestyle? You’re not alone.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). What’s more, nearly half of all adults in this country are living with some type of cardiovascular disease.
The good news is you don’t have to be a statistic. While genetics do play a role in heart disease, there are several risk factors that can…
FsoHigh blood sugar can cause gradual, unassuming symptoms that can sneak up on you. Frequent urination and excessive thirst — the telltale signs of type 2 diabetes — are often mild and can easily be attributed to other factors.
In fact, most people don’t even know they have high blood sugar until they’re diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetesis a chronic condition that causes glucose (or sugar) levels in the body to rise. The problem is ignoring or writing off the symptoms…
Last winter, the community took several precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. From masks and social distancing to virtual work and school to cancelled events, an unforeseen positive side effect was a less intense flu season.
Flu cases documented during last year’s flu season were historically low by a wide margin. Medical professionals haven’t seen anything like it.
So with many precautions still in place amidst an ongoing pandemic, you may be…
February is Black History Month, when we recognize African-Americans and those of color who have played major roles in shaping our present culture. February is also American Heart Health month – a time to raise awareness of heart disease. While these two events are different, they are linked in healthcare. Heart disease remains the number one killer of Americans, and African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites.
We do not…
Bladder cancer is the most common urologic cancer in both men and women. Each year, about 57,000 men and 18,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But, urologic cancers don’t only affect the bladder. They also can affect the kidneys, ureter (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), urethra, and specifically in men, the penis, prostate and testicles.
In fact, the CDC states prostate…
You’ve seen it on the soccer field or basketball court: a player plants a foot, twists and goes down grabbing a knee. The problem is most likely tearing of the meniscus (cartilage) or ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Both can be extremely painful and sideline an athlete for months of recovery.
A tear usually requires more intervention than a strain or sprain.
A knee strain is a stretch or partial tear of a tendon or muscle, while a sprain is a stretch or tear of a…
These are critical heart health numbers that should not be ignored and include blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for…
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), otherwise known as prostate gland enlargement, is a common condition as men get older. An enlarged prostate can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms as well as bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems.
In many men, the prostate continues to grow throughout life. This continued growth enlarges the prostate enough to cause BPH, which means they have urinary issues or their urine flow is significantly blocked.
The symptoms of BPH often vary,…
Billions of dollars have been spent on researching Alzheimer’s, but it stubbornly continues to affect 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 65. While we are still waiting for a cure, there have been significant advances that have made an impact on the treatment of Alzheimer's and related diseases:
New treatments and positive trials on the horizon
Currently, the medications on the market for Alzheimer’s only relieve symptoms of the disease. None stop the progression.…
Deep, consistent, quality sleep can not only make you feel great during the day; it can also improve your health. Sleep can boost your mood, help you maintain a healthy body weight and help your heart and mind function at tip-top levels.
But, for some of us, a solid night's sleep may seem like a dream. Lack of sleep can affect our brain's ability to react properly; so much so, that our body’s overall health can be at risk.
Perhaps you and your partner are thinking of a more permanent solution to birth control. If you’ve had the conversation of vasectomy versus tubal ligation - “getting your tubes tied” - you might be interested to learn that a vasectomy is a much easier procedure, is more effective at preventing pregnancy and has a much lower risk of side effects or complications. It’s also much cheaper; tubal ligation requires general anesthesia and surgery; a vasectomy only requires local anesthesia and an oral sedative.
When you think of February, you may think of Valentine's Day, chocolate and flowers. February also marks American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. But the good news is it's also one of the most preventable.
Making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart…