Men’s Health: Check Under the Hood To Stay Healthy

Your body is your most important vehicle. That’s why, whether you’re sporting a newer model or a classic, routine maintenance is key to keeping your body running at maximum efficiency.

Just like your car’s maintenance schedule, there are important inspections and tasks that men should be aware of, no matter their age. From routine self-examinations to prostate cancer screenings, checking under the hood on a regular basis is critically important to getting the most mileage out of your body.

Know Your Maintenance Schedule

Do you have a maintenance schedule for your car? Of course you do. Every vehicle comes with a timeline for scheduled maintenance — this helps owners avoid, find or treat issues before they become more expensive.

Your health works in much the same way. Having a maintenance schedule for preventive care such as vaccinations, checkups and screenings can help find, identify and treat many medical conditions before they become serious or more difficult to address.

Whether you’re a younger adult or have put on a few miles, you should check in with your primary care doctor regularly for routine physicals and to address any health concerns. Especially with urologic issues.

Urologic Issues and Men’s Health

Urologic issues can be easily overlooked. Yet they can be a key underlying factor in many health concerns for men, ranging from prostate cancer to erectile dysfunction.  That’s where screenings come in. Common urologic conditions that can be addressed through regular screenings include:

• Between the ages of 20 and 30: testicular cancer; sexual health issues, including sexually transmitted diseases; infertility.
• Between the ages of 40 and 50: Prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.
• Between the ages of 50 and 70: Prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

A routine screening plan with your doctor might look something like this.

Ages 20 to 45:

• Establish a relationship with a primary care doctor.
• Self-check testicles monthly. Some forms of testicular cancer are common in younger males.
• Schedule baseline check-up and screenings for sexually transmitted infections, blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Review lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, and discuss family history of chronic diseases.
• Screen for prostate cancer (starting in your 40s if you have family history, 50 if you do not).
• Screen for colon cancer (starting in your mid-40s).

Ages 46 to 60+

• Self-check testicles monthly.
• Continue regular check-ups and screenings for colon and prostate cancer.
• Discuss any changes in health status and any new symptoms or concerns with your doctor.
• Review any ongoing health issues.

Practice Preventive Maintenance

Your body needs preventive maintenance to run with maximum efficiency. Unlike your car, you can’t trade it in for a newer model. Preventive maintenance can help you manage risks for serious health problems and keep your body revving. Tips include:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Get regular exercise
• Avoid or quit smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Learn to manage stress

Your Body Is Your Most Important Vehicle

Just like your car, you know your body better than anyone. Be sure you stay on top of your routine maintenance, starting with screenings. Talk to your doctor about scheduling your routine maintenance today.