Photo and story by Lisa Rowell
According to the Mayo Clinic , the biggest threats to men ’ s health are heart disease and cancer . Other issues high on that list include injuries , lung disease , stroke , and diabetes .
Dr . J . Barry Dixon , of Lake Cumberland Medical Associates says the causes of men ’ s health issues he often sees are attributed to smoking and obesity . “ Those are the two major things I see that men just sort of ignore and neglect ,” said Dr . Dixon .
The family practice physician says , “ Men typically come in for health care when their spouse or significant other or friend bring them . They don ’ t typically come on their own just to get healthcare ,” adding that some do seek preventive care .
“ We ’ re getting better than we were 15 years ago for men coming in and
seeking healthcare , but they ’ re not gung ho about getting all the screening exams they need .” Dr . Dixon says he tries to work in wellness care and sickness prevention whenever possible and discuss screening exams .
Screenings and Prevention
Dr . Dixon agrees with the Mayo Clinic about screenings . The recommendation is for men older than 50 to have a yearly physical exam , and that men younger than 50 should have a physical exam every three to five years . If you ’ re feeling well , regular checkups – for both men and women — can help confirm that you ’ re in good health , or help identify a health issue in its early stages .
Depending on your overall health , age , family history , or other factors , typical screenings your primary health care provider might recommend include :
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Colon cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer — for a smoking history of 20 or more packs per year or for those who have quit smoking within 15 years
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm — for men between 65-75 who have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime
Based on your history and risk level , your primary care provider ( PCP ) may recommend other screenings to help optimize your health .
The Mayo Clinic also advises speaking with your PCP about your mental and emotional health . Effective help is available in those areas which are components of your overall health .
“ We get the opportunity , even during sick visits , to do a lot of wellness and
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JUNE 2024 SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life • 29