Annual exams are important for men's health, too

By: ELVA LEAL - For the North County Times | Saturday, January 19, 2008 8:27 PM PST ∞

What can men do to stay healthy and prevent disease? Create a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet; staying physically active; not participating in risky behaviors; and having regular checkups with a primary care physician, no matter what your age.

Although it's become a cliche to make a resolution to start a new fitness plan and cut out the extra calories in the New Year, rarely do you hear people talking about resolving to make an appointment for an annual health screening.

Since early detection is the key to changing the course of many chronic diseases, a routine doctor's visit and appropriate health screening for your age and risk group is an essential part of good health. This may include, but is not limited to, an examination of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, and abdomen; screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and cancer; comprehensive reproductive health checkup and screening for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Your doctor may also recommend immunizations against the flu or pneumonia, a tetanus-diphtheria shot, or screenings for hepatitis or tuberculosis.

Everyone should have an annual physical exam, and it is especially important for people who have a history of disease in their family or other known risk factors. Everyone knows that, right?

Well, did you know that more than half of all men report not having had a physical exam in the past year? This is despite the fact that the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 71 percent of American men are overweight, which is a risk factor for many other health problems including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and some cancers.

A June 2007 survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians not only reports a lack of regular checkups by men, but also a tendency for men to avoid seeing a doctor altogether. In fact, 29 percent of male survey participants reported they will "wait as long as possible" before seeing a doctor about concerns such as pain or sickness.

The survey did not provide any insight into why there is a gender difference in resistance to visiting the doctor or having an annual exam, but it did say that most men reported being influenced by spouses or significant others when it came to obtaining health care. This is fortunate; however, getting the men in your life to see a doctor may not be as easy as you think.

It seems many men are in denial. According to the AAFP survey, men feel that they are healthier than they really are, with most (79 percent) describing themselves as being in good health. Despite this, 42 percent of these men still reported they have been diagnosed with chronic conditions and only 38 percent report exercising regularly.

Being proactive in your own health can keep you well physically, emotionally and mentally. Lead by example, women! Make an appointment with your primary care physician, and the man in your life might just follow.

Vista Community Clinic offers a free or low-cost comprehensive medical exam for men 25 and older. Call (760) 631-5000 for appointments at any of the five clinic locations. To learn more about programs and services for the whole family, visit http://vistacommunityclinic.org/.

Elva Leal is project coordinator for male health service programs at Vista Community Clinic. Call (760) 631-5000.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.