Physical Exams Every Man Should Realize
You don’t need statistics to tell you that men are more likely to avoid the doctor than women. Lifestyle risk factors and certain genetic make specific screenings more imperative for some men than others.
Over half of American men skip their suggested annual physical exams, and this becomes riskier as they get older.
Physical exams every man should realize
Blood sugar test
Men who take medication to control their high blood pressure or have high blood pressure should get screened for diabetes.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of frequent urination, tingling in the feet or hands, unexpected weight loss, increased hunger, and persistently severe thirst also should talk to their specialist about getting tested.
Echocardiogram
Many deadly cardiac risk factors could be prevented with blood pressure monitoring and weight management, as well as simple cholesterol testing.
But if you have some family member with a history of cardiac disease, or if you already have known high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol, cardiac stress exams or echocardiograms can analyze that there is no important heart risk.
Prostate cancer check
There is some discussion in the medical community about having regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, so be sure to talk with your doctor about this particular screening. Most men should get their first prostate checked in their fifties.
However, men with a history of prostate cancer in their close family should get tested starting in their 40s. Prostate cancer is one of the most violent cancers, but treatment can be more effective if you detected it at an early stage.
Colonoscopy
Colon cancer is another deadly cancer for men and some women. If a man has no family history of colon cancer, a screening colonoscopy should be done at the age of 50. Men with a family history of colon cancer should get screened sooner. Future colonoscopies should be taken in 3 to 10 years, based on the results of each colonoscopy. Other risk factors include a diet high in the animal fat or medical history of inflammatory bowel disease.
