Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/897415
How Can Men Take Control of no matter how active they might be at work and in the community, men can oftentimes be disengaged with their own health care. ■ Ready to find a primary care provider near you? Visit www.huronregional.org and click "Find a Doc" to get started. Then search family, general or internal medicine. Replenish Your Batteries Men can better protect their health by taking these steps: Schedule routine appointments. Treat these like mandatory work meetings. That way, preventive health is reflected in your calendar, no matter what else is going on in life. Communicate with your doctor. Small problems left unattended can lead to big problems. That's why it's best to have regular doctor's visits and communicate any symptoms right away. Commit to making small changes. Put what your doctor says into practice, like increasing your physical activity and monitoring your diet. It's never too late to start pursuing better preventive health. Going to the doctor and getting an annual check-up can be the first step. Their Health? MEN ARE HALF AS LIKELY as women to visit their doctor for preventive services, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And, guys, this isn't because men are all healthy. According to national men's health data compiled by the CDC: With statistics like these, men would benefit from checking in regularly with their primary care providers, yet they often find reasons not to go. Why? Overbooked schedules. After tending to work, community-related events and their families, men often say they don't have time for preventive health. Being too busy was the top reason many gave as to why they weren't regularly seeing their doctor. Tough exterior. Men often want to be perceived as tough, and sometimes health diagnoses can seem overpowering. So, instead of reporting a health condition – and possibly feeling out of control – men may be tempted to manage their symptoms without anyone's help. Out-of-balance lifestyle. Work-related stress may cause men to stay late at the office, drink too much alcohol and spend more time sitting than standing. Over time, these behaviors may lead to weight gain or high blood pressure, both of which show up on health exams. Instead of facing these realities at the doctor's office and making necessary changes, some men would rather not know what's going on. TWELVE PERCENT of men ages 18 and older are in FAIR OR POOR HEALTH. Nearly ONE IN THREE men age 20 and older are living with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE or taking medications to regulate their blood pressure. ONE IN THREE men age 20 and older CARRY EXCESS WEIGHT. 4 wellone CONNECTION www.huronregional.org