60 percent of men don’t go to their doctors regularly.
June is Men’s Health Month and for good reason. In a recent study of 500 men by Cleveland Clinic found out that only three in five get an annual physical and just over 40 percent go to the doctor only when they fear they have a serious medical condition. Of those they surveyed, over 53 percent agree that their health just isn’t something they talk about and 19 percent admitted they go to the doctor so their significant other or loved one will stop nagging them.
If you are like the males in this study and have not been to the doctor in the last year, here are 6 reasons why you should go:
- Regular checkups can detect different diseases that could threaten men’s health, including prostate cancer, which affects one in six men. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
- Most people who have high blood pressure don’t know it. Going to your doctor will keep this in check and if you have high blood sugar and cholesterol levels, together with your doctor, you can get this in control before it spirals into something very serious. (Source: American Heart Association)
- Going to the doctors annually allows you to lead by example to other males in your life and to be proactive in your health. (Source: FirstLight Home Care)
- Men are twice as likely as women to suffer from work-related stress. Stress on its own has a huge impact on health, and add to this how men tend to shut off their feelings, and it’s a ticking time bomb. Research shows that almost three quarters of people who kill themselves are men and men are three times more likely than women to become dependent on alcohol. (Source: Everyday Health)
- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) generally affects more men than women under 50 years old, nearly one in six men compared to one in 10 women will die from coronary heart disease. (Source: American Heart Association)
- No matter how strong or successful you are, sometimes we need help. It is important that when something is not right, you need to admit it and address it.
Even if you think you’re in fantastic health, you really can’t afford to avoid the annual doctor’s visit. If you don’t have a doctor’s appointment set on your calendar, today is the day to make that call.
*Source: Everyday Health