MAN’S GUIDE TO HEALTH

Google “men’s health” and you’ll likely find ways to get those six-pack abs you’ve always wanted.

But there’s more to good health than having a ripped core and bulging biceps. June is national

Men’s Health Month, so we’ve put together a list of some of the most common men’s health issues

… and what you can do to prevent or manage them.

First, have you seen your doctor yet this year? If not, now is a great time to make an appointment for

your annual wellness visit. Even if you feel OK and think you don’t need to see your doctor every

year, make the appointment. Seeing your doctor regularly helps you stay as healthy as you can be.

Use the list below to help you plan for your sit-down with your doctor.

Your heart

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in both men and women. According to

the American Heart Association, one in three men in the United States is living with cardiovascular

disease. This can include coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart attack, stroke and more. The

most common culprit is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Luckily, there are some steps

you can take to keep this from happening.

· Stop smoking: Smoking can wreak havoc on your heart and blood vessels. Even if you are a

long-time smoker and think the damage is already done, quitting will help.

· Eat your veggies: Want to boost your heart health? Add some fresh fruits and veggies to

your diet. If you aren’t a fan, don’t worry, you don’t have to munch on a stalk of broccoli to

get the heart-healthy benefits. Blend up a fruit smoothie for breakfast, roast vegetables for

dinner, choose healthy greens like spinach for your salad — the options are endless

· Get active: You don’t have to spend an hour at the gym each day to help your heart. Adding

a simple 30-minute walk a day to your routine can make a big difference. If that seems like a

lot, start small with a 10-minute stroll around the block.

· Make a plan to lose weight: If you are overweight or obese, don’t be embarrassed to talk to

your doctor about it. Your doctor can help you come up with a plan to lose weight safely.

Using some of these other tips, like eating more fruits and vegetables and walking more, will

help, too.

Your mind

Feeling irritable and tired? Do you toss and turn at night and then can’t get out bed in the morning?

Have you lost interest in your favorite activities? If you recognize these feelings in yourself or

someone you love, don’t ignore them. These are just a few of the symptoms of depression, and

according to the National Institutes of Mental Health, men often don’t recognize when they need

help.

Not only are men less likely to recognize when they are depressed, but also they are less likely to

seek help when they realize they might need it.

If you are struggling, help is out there. If you don’t know where to turn, start with your doctor. Your

doctor can help you find someone for you to talk to and can set up a treatment plan for you. If you

are looking for a mental health professional in your plan’s network, click here.

Depression is a serious health concern. If you or someone you know are in crisis or having thoughts

about suicide, get help now. You don’t need to feel embarrassed or down about yourself, thinking

you should be able to deal with it. Many men have the same emotions as you. But you don’t have to

face these thoughts on your own. Call your doctor or go to the hospital.

Tell your doctor: If you are dealing with depression or have thoughts about suicide. Your doctor will

help you get the care you need to feel better.

Your body

Just as you keep an eye on the gas gauge and thermostat in your car, it’s important to track these

numbers when it comes to keeping your body in good working order.

· Blood pressure: High blood pressure can raise your risk for developing heart disease. If you are

under 65, your blood pressure should be 120/80. High blood pressure is diagnosed after you have

several readings where your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you are over 65, your blood

pressure may be a little higher and this could be OK. Blood pressure changes as you get older

because blood vessels are not as elastic as they were when you were young.

· Cholesterol: Too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to blockages in your arteries. Your

doctor will want to do blood tests to measure your cholesterol and make sure it is in a healthy range.

Your total cholesterol should be about 200 mg/dL or lower. Your doctor will measure your levels of

specific types of cholesterol, too.

o HDL (good cholesterol): 40 mg/dL for a man

o LDL (bad cholesterol): 100 mg/dL or lower

o Triglycerides: 150 mg/dL or lower

· Blood sugar: Your doctor also will want to test your blood sugar to make sure you are not at risk

for Type 2 diabetes. If you have Type 2 diabetes or at risk, your doctor also will set up a plan to treat

or prevent the disease. Your blood sugar levels should be:

o Less than 100 mg/dl (fasting, meaning nothing to eat for 8 hours or more)

o Less than 140 mg/dl (non-fasting)

· BMI: It’s important to have your Body Mass Index checked each year to determine if you are

overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese can lead to health problems, like heart disease,

diabetes and high blood pressure. Your doctor will calculate it for you. Here are the BMI ranges:

o Underweight (BMI less than 18.5)

o Normal weight (BMI between 18.5 & 24.9)

o Overweight (BMI between 25.0 & 29.9)

o Obese (BMI 30.0 and above)

Your Sex Life

Erectile dysfunction affects men of all ages, and if you are facing this, you should definitely tell your

doctor. First, your doctor can help treat your symptoms so you can feel more confident about your

sex life. And second, there could be an underlying health issue causing the problem, like high blood

pressure or diabetes.

There are a number of treatments that can help, and your doctor can help you choose what’s right

for you. Also, making some lifestyle changes, like stopping smoking and curbing alcohol use, could

make a difference, too.

Other factors may be affecting your sex life, too. As men get older, their testosterone levels often

drop. This can lead to a lower sex drive and other symptoms, such as depression and fatigue. If you

are experiencing these symptoms, ask your doctor about it. Your doctor may want to check your

testosterone levels. If they are low, your doctor will be able to set up a plan for you to help with your

symptoms.

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about any problems you are experiencing. Remember: Your

doctor is there to help you.

Tell your doctor: If you are experiencing low sex drive or erectile dysfunction, ask your doctor for

advice. There are treatments that can help