Guys, let’s talk about living longer.
Five years is a long time to spend with family, savor retirement and enjoy life. So men, why are you settling for living five less years? Yes, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the United States men die five years earlier than women.
June is National Men’s Health Month, a time to encourage men to take care of their bodies by eating right, exercising, and working toward disease prevention. Internal Medicine specialist Adnan Choudhury, MD spoke to Vital KC to offer tips to help men make their health a top priority.
Vital KC: Hi, Dr. Choudhury. Thanks for making time to chat.
Dr. Adnan Choudhury: Hello, always glad to talk about men’s health. I want men to know about what’s called the “medical gender gap”, which refers to the fact that on average men live 5 years less than women.
Vital KC: Why is that happening?
Dr. Choudhury: Well, we know that men aren’t as proactive as women are about seeing the doctor regularly. We also know that about 40% of men older than 20 are living with obesity, and that about half of all men over the age of 20 are living with high blood pressure.
Vital KC: So then let’s start with younger men. Why, say, would a 25-year old guy, who feels good, see a doctor regularly?
Dr. Choudhury: Good question. Regular visits build a relationship between doctor and patient. This is important for two reasons. First, if that young man notices any subtle health changes, he’ll feel comfortable telling his doctor. And secondly, because we know that often early detection can save lives.
Vital KC: What health information should a man know.
Dr. Choudhury: Men need to know their blood pressure, cholesterol and fasting blood sugar level. That last one is important because it can be an indicator of whether or not the person has pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a free, one-minute, online pre-diabetes risk test. If you score high, you need to talk to your doctor about it.
Vital KC: What health concerns aren’t men telling you about?
Dr. Choudhury: It’s a generalization to some extent , but because of the notion that men need to be strong and masculine, we know there are plenty of men not talking about depression. The American Psychological Association notes that about one in three men have gone through a period of depression. What can be tricky is that depression can present itself differently in men and women. With men, it might present as irritability or sudden bursts of anger.
Doctors want men to talk about their feelings. You know, men 85-years-old and up have the highest suicide rate of any demographic. Often adult children are trying to help their father get help. I’ve found that the best conversation starter is “Dad, I’m not talking about this to make you feel bad or take away your independence. I care about you and want to help.”
Vital KC: Anything else you want men to know?
Dr. Choudhury: Because of the advancements in treatments, most men are comfortable talking to their doctor about erectile dysfunction or ED. That’s good because ED can be the symptom of untreated heart disease /peripheral arterial disease, diabetes or depression/ anxiety.
Any man who’s sexually active should talk to their doctor about getting a HPV vaccine, HPV has been linked now to penile cancer, and throat cancer. You can get the vaccine up until age 26. They should ask their doctor whether PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis, which can reduce the transmission of HIV, is right for them.
Vital KC: Thanks, for your time Dr. Choudhury. Any parting words?
Dr. Choudhury: Yes, Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
Interested in making a primary care appointment? Call us at 816-404-CARE. Appointments are available at our downtown KC campus, at University Health Community Care Linwood (adjacent to the Linwood YMCA), and in Eastern Jackson County.