All men should be aware of several areas of men's health services and internal medicine, including primary and specialty care. Whether it is helping men get their blood pressure under control or diagnosing an enlarged prostate, the goal is to help you live healthier, longer lives by providing the best in preventative care and wellness services available.
The importance of men’s health
Men's health is very important. They need to follow up with their primary care physician regularly and perform a physical and lab test annually. Also, they should see their doctor after any trauma or injury or even when they are feeling ill. Internal medicine tests will help rule out other more serious issues in men as they age. The following are some common problems seen in practices:
- Colon cancer screening
- Depression screening
- Erectile dysfunction
- High blood pressure
- Low testosterone
- Sleep apnea
Prostate cancer screening
Men 50 and older should have their doctor check a sample of their prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, to look for cancer. High levels can indicate prostate cancer. Younger men who are at high risk may also be advised to have a PSA test. The other part of screening involves looking for cancers on a rectal exam, which your doctor can perform during an annual physical.
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, start screening earlier. The risk for prostate cancer increases with age, but it is not uncommon for men in their 30s to be diagnosed with it. Men over age 50 are more likely to develop forms of prostate cancer that may spread and affect organs such as the bladder or rectum.
Insulin resistance, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
Diabetes is a common problem among patients of all ages, but men may have different symptoms, making it important to detect diabetes early. Men with type-2 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease or stroke than women with diabetes of similar age. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for developing heart disease and diabetes that affects millions of Americans over 20 years old.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin properly. Patients with insulin resistance can develop type-2 diabetes if their body does not produce enough insulin to compensate for resistance. Type-2 diabetes can also develop in patients who have obesity since obesity increases insulin resistance and causes a decrease in lean muscle mass.
Maintain healthy habits
Eating right, working out, and keeping stress in check are key components of good health, no matter your age. It is especially important to maintain healthy habits as you age because your body tends to slow down a bit. Do not be fooled into thinking that exercise becomes optional once you reach a certain age. It is more important than ever for older adults to stay active and eat well. You can keep aging at bay by taking good care of yourself now.
Protect and preserve your health
If you are interested in what internal medicine can do to help prevent common conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Getting regular medical check-ups is even more important because these conditions become more prevalent as you age. Contact your doctor to schedule an appointment today.
Request an appointment or call Orange County House Calls at 949-204-1334 for an appointment in our Aliso Viejo office.
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