12 Tips That May Improve Men’s Health

by Dr. Michael McKee

Men’s Health Week starts on June 11.  Here are some tips that may help men lead longer, healthier lives.

  1. Be passionate. Find something you truly enjoy doing. It can be participating in a hobby, volunteering in an organization, or working in a field that excites you. 
  1. See your doctor regularly. Regular check-ups can save lives. Doctors can make recommendations to improve your health and screen for diseases. Don’t let your girlfriend or wife be the main reason you go see your doctor. Take charge of your health care.
  1. Avoid trans-fats. Trans fats boost your LDL (bad cholesterol) while lowering your HDL (good cholesterol). Trans fats are found in many pastries, desserts, French fries, chicken wings, and fried foods. Avoid any cooking oils that say “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated.”
  1. Exercise regularly. Don’t be only a weekend sports warrior since this increases your risk of overuse injuries. Also, regular exercise can help protect your heart from disease and maintain a healthy weight.
  1. Protect your skin from the sun. Men don’t get the benefits of sunscreen as often as women do, because men don’t use sun-protective skin care products as often as women.
  1. Avoid excessive alcohol. Males should not drink any more than two alcoholic drinks daily.
  1. Increase your servings of vegetables and fruits. Recommendations are to eat at least five to nine servings daily.  Farmer’s markets are a good place to get locally grown produce at reasonable costs.
  1. Perform regular screenings for skin and testicular cancer. Men can easily perform self-exams at home. The main goal is to see if there are any masses on your testicles or if there are any skin changes. Catching change early is the best way to beat skin and testicular cancers.
  1. Practice safer sex techniques if sexually active. Use condoms faithfully, as this lowers your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).  Also, get tested for STDs if you have any unprotected sexual exposure.  To minimize your exposure, your partner should get tested as well.
  1. Read. You will expand your knowledge base.  Also, regular intellectual activity can help keep your mind sharp and delay onset of dementia.
  1. Develop meaningful relationships. Studies have shown that males with good relationships tend to be happier and outlive their more isolated peers.
  1. Maintain a healthy weight. The best indicator is to check your body mass index (BMI), which uses your height and weight to see if you are of normal weight or overweight.  You can find a BMI calculator on the Rochester Healthy Living website at www.rochesterhealthyliving.com/calc.html

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Michael McKee practices at Marion B. Folsom Health Center of the Lifetime Health Medical Group.  Contact his offices at either (585) 292-8437 or (585) 292-8441 TTY.