Posted: 6/15/2016
Parkland physician urges active, honest participation in care
A man’s strong, calm tough-guy attitude may be considered cool in some circles, but when it comes to health it may be counterproductive. Not only are men significantly less likely than women to see a doctor on a regular basis, they are less likely to be truthful about symptoms when they do visit their physician.
Health experts report this macho attitude may be contributing to worse health statistics for men. On average, men live five years less than women and are more likely to die from heart disease. According to the Agency for Healthcare Quality & Research, men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past 12 months. And two recent Rutgers University studies found that when men visit a doctor they are less likely to be honest, resulting in delayed or missed diagnosis.
June is Men’s Health Month, and healthcare experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System urge men to start and maintain a regular health care schedule and to not ignore symptoms that could indicate more serious issues.
“The most important thing you can do to take care of yourself is to actively and honestly participate in your own healthcare,” said Noel Santini, MD, Senior Medical Director of Ambulatory Services at Parkland. “Men should get educated about their health and work with their provider to make sure they stay healthy – for themselves and for their families.”
The most common health conditions experienced by men include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, low testosterone and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The second leading cause is cancer. The Prostate Health Guide reports that each year more than 230,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 will die from the disease.
“Men should be aware of the symptoms of potentially serious diseases and conditions and they should not minimize the impact of these symptoms. These signs or symptoms exist for a reason and they typically worsen when ignored,” Dr. Santini said.
One of the recent Rutgers studies noted that women who thought they should be brave and self-reliant also sought medical care less and were less forthcoming. But, the authors added that the tough guy attitude is much more prevalent among men.
Here are some of the symptoms that men should not ignore:
- Chest pain – is one of the symptoms of a heart attack but can also indicate other problems such as angina, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism or asthma.
- Shortness of breath – could signal heart disease or lung disease, as well as diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema or pulmonary hypertension.
- Fatigue – can result from physical exertion, lack of sleep or stress, but it can also indicate more serious physical health conditions, including congestive heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, infections or cancer, as well as kidney or liver disease.
- Blood in urine – may be a sign of bladder, prostate or kidney problems.
- Excessive thirst – can be a prominent symptom of diabetes.
- Vision problems – are not always related to aging; they can indicate other problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.
“Men should regularly participate in primary healthcare throughout every decade of their lives,” Dr. Santini said. “Each decade brings on new health issues and by participating in regular check-ups, men are able to act on their healthcare concerns rather than react.”
Dr. Santini also suggests that men of all ages get to know their numbers for blood pressure, body mass index, triglycerides and cholesterol and have them checked regularly by their medical provider. Men should also watch their diets, exercise on a regular basis, control weight, and have recommended screenings for testicular, colon, prostate, skin and other cancers. They should also drink alcohol only in moderation, and if they smoke, stop. If they don’t smoke, don’t start.