This may surprise some people. Most men do not like to go to a doctor. A study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic a number of years ago found 72 percent of men would rather do household chores like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn than go see a doctor. Medical professionals say that hesitancy can lead to health problems for men as they age.
June is Men’s Health Month. It began in 1994 when then Senator Bob Dole of Kansas introduced a bill to raise awareness about men’s health. The goal was to encourage men to prioritize their health and get screened for common illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
MCM spoke with Dr. Kwame Akoto who is a family medicine physician at the South Baltimore Medical Center for Kaiser Permanente.
Men’s Health Risks
He said men often develop serious health problems earlier than women, and they often avoid addressing those issues compared to women.
“Men are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and type two diabetes. They are less likely to attend preventative care visits. In fact, men may develop diabetes at a lower weight because they tend to carry fat in their belly, which is a major risk factor for developing the disease. If this is left unchecked, diabetes can lead to chronic conditions such as kidney failure, vision loss, and even amputations,” Akoto explained.
He said women tend to carry extra weight in their hips and lower body, but for men, having fat around your stomach can lead to problems. That is because the fat can deposit around a man’s organs like his liver. The extra weight also can impact a man’s hormone system.
He told MCM this is why regular checkups, heart screenings, and conversations about family history are important for men’s health.
Men Often Are Reluctant To See A Doctor
Akoto said it is hard to explain why men are more reluctant than women to see a doctor but he believes the reason may be cultural.
“Men tend to wait until symptoms are more severe or they may wait to talk to their partner or spouse. Then it is that other person who pushes a man to schedule an appointment,” Akoto explained.
He said he encourages his male patients to be more proactive. He wants them to feel safe to share whatever is on their minds.
“Men will often hesitate to bring up symptoms, especially for personal and sensitive issues like fatigue, stress, and sexual health. They may downplay their symptoms or delay the care altogether,” Akoto said.
“The earlier we detect something, the earlier we can help a patient prevent a more serious complication,” he added.
Mental Health, Muscle Loss, Sexual Health
Men are often reluctant to talk about mental health issues with their doctor.
“Men are less likely to be diagnosed with depression, but they are more likely to commit suicide. So there is a disconnect happening there that we need to work on. Mental health is very important. It’s actually just as important as your physical health,” Akoto said.
People often think of men as being bigger and stronger than women. However, as men age they tend to lose muscle mass. That process begins when a man turns 30. However, Akoto said if men keep up with regular strength building activities, they can maintain their muscle mass. The loss of muscle can lead to weakness, frailty, and frequent falls.
“Our recommendation is for men to engage in two days of weight bearing exercise or resistance throughout the week, and then you can stay active with other aerobic exercises like walking, biking, or swimming,” Akoto told MCM.
Diet also is important. Akoto said as men age they need to incorporate more protein in their diet. He said sleep and stress management also are important.
Sexual health is another area of concern for men as they age. “Testosterone levels decline naturally, and that can have an impact on energy, mood, and sexual health. It is common as men get older that they have these hormonal changes,” Akoto explained.
“Men are often reluctant to talk about erectile dysfunction. But it is often a window into other health conditions. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction. Blood pressure problems sometimes manifests with erectile dysfunction or heart disease. Prevention works bests when we catch things early and we can start that conversation,” Akoto added.
Screenings For Diseases
Men like women need screening for certain diseases like cancer and heart disease. He said it is important for a man in his 20s to initially connect with a healthcare provider. Getting blood pressure checked is important.
“High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease, and heart disease is the number one reason why men die. Men live about five years less than women in the United States. There are a lot of different factors. It is not just genetics. Behavior and access to care are a big part of this. Men are less likely to go to the doctor. They are more likely to skip preventative care. They are more likely to develop chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer,” Akoto said.
Men also need to get checked for colorectal and prostate cancers. Most doctors recommend starting colorectal screenings when a man turns 45, and 50 for prostate screenings. However, Akoto said if there is a family history for either condition, those screenings might start earlier.
Akoto said men should not wait to see their doctor if they feel their health is not right. He said prevention works best when doctors can catch conditions early.
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash
