June officially ushers us into our Summer season. The school year has ended, families are vacationing, and weddings are being celebrated, among other things. June is also Men’s Health Month. As men, the majority of us are always reluctant to go to the doctor when we aren’t feeling well. Be it bravado, ego, or just plain stubbornness, most of us blindly trust that whatever illness we’re dealing with will eventually go away without seeking any medical attention.
Sadly, for us menfolk, it takes an unfortunate incident or illness for us to even consider seeking treatment, much less take it seriously. Be it a heart attack, stroke, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, or even osteoarthritis; something has to get our attention. The good news is it’s more than probable that a great deal of those maladies can be avoided by simply practicing preventative medicine. Preventative medicine’s goal is to effectively protect, promote and maintain overall health and well-being in hopes of preventing disease, disability, and even death.
As men, it’s clear we must become more concerned and proactive in regards to our overall physical well-being. That means going to the doctor when we’re not feeling well, annual physicals with a complete blood workup, along with digital prostrate exams. A few moments of discomfort could possibly save your life! Scheduling a colonoscopy every ten years for men over fifty (every five years if there’s a family history of colon cancer), eating a healthy and well balanced diet, drinking more water and monitoring your alcohol intake are all helpful ways to maintain your overall health. Also, incorporating at least thirty minutes of some form of exercise three times a week can make you feel better as well.
Finally, I encourage women to not only insist that the men in their lives practice preventative medicine, but to always seek medical care whenever they’re not feeling well. Ignoring your health, or toughing out pain and discomfort is not the true measure of a man–a real man is always concerned about their health, and always takes it seriously. As men, it’s on us to make the choice of a healthy lifestyle!
Charles R. Butts Jr. 