Men’s Health Month, celebrated annually in June, is a great reminder for men to practice healthy lifestyle habits.
According to BSA Urgent Care Center Physician Assistant, Rob Henry, men can do several things to improve their overall health, including:
· Discontinuing smoking, overeating and excessive alcohol consumption
· Following any recommended treatment plans for existing chronic conditions
· Maintaining a healthy weight
· Receiving recommended vaccinations
· Visiting a primary care provider
Health conditions that are prevalent among men include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, colon cancer, testicular cancer and prostate cancer.
“Annual checkups are important for men to maintain their health as many conditions, such as diabetes, do not become apparent until major symptoms develop,” Rob said. “Receiving regular checkups can help identify conditions early so that treatments can begin early, resulting in the best possible outcome.”
Men can also implement daily healthy lifestyle habits to help reduce their risk of developing serious health issues.
“Men should get regular, aerobic exercise,” Rob shared. “They should also get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night, practice healthy eating habits and use sunscreen.”
Rob and the rest of the team at BSA Urgent Care Center offer evaluation of health issues as well as referrals and coordination of follow-up care for men.
“Each patient’s weight, BMI (Body Mass Index) and blood pressure is checked at our clinic,” Rob stated. “We refer patients to primary care providers if they have elevated blood pressure or other risk factors. We also refer high-risk patients to cardiologists. If we discover a patient has diabetes, we initiate treatment and coordinate follow-up care for the patient.”