Do you know the greatest threats to men's health? The list is
surprisingly short. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the top causes of death among adult men in the U.S. are heart disease,
cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke.
“The
good news is that making some lifestyle changes can significantly lower your
risk of common health problems,” says Dr. Susanne Quistgaard, Premera medical director.
“Prevention starts with making healthy lifestyle choices and using your
healthcare provider as an ally for improving health and preventing disease.
Don’t wait to see your healthcare provider until something is seriously wrong.”
Premera medical directors give
their advice and answer some common questions around preventable health
problems, hormone health, and early detection and treatment of disease among
men.
Healthy behaviors
If your husband, father,
brother, or other men in your life refuse to go to the doctor, you’re not
alone. “After childhood, males have much less contact, in general, with the
healthcare system then females do,” says Dr. Neil Kaneshiro, medical director
and pediatrician. So how can you encourage your loved ones to take the first
step and visit a doctor? “If you’re concerned, the first step is to start a
conversation and let them know you’re worried,” Dr. Quistgaard says. “Ask them,
‘Would you be willing to go to the doctor?’ If the answer is no, try to address
those barriers and reasons for not going.”
Hormone health
Men can suffer from
testosterone deficiencies including mood, sexual health, and cholesterol. While
you may be tempted to buy that testosterone supplement from the grocery store,
think again. “It’s critically important to go to a certified health
professional to get your questions about testosterone answered. It’s a powerful
hormone and there are reasons you shouldn’t take it,” Dr. Kaneshiro says.
“Knowing if you are a candidate for treatment is important. You need to access
quality healthcare to make these kinds of decisions.”
Heart health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for
men in the U.S. High blood pressure, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. “Maintain a healthy weight, exercise, avoid a
high sodium diet, don’t use nicotine products, and reduce alcohol intake,” Dr.
Quistgaard says. “It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly. If you
fall into a high-risk category, you should see your doctor.” You can check
your risk of heart disease and stroke using this interactive
calculator.
Find more information
on men’s health.
Use your Premera benefits.