Celebrating Men’s Health Awareness Month

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, a time to encourage men of all ages to prioritize their well-being and establish healthy habits. This is a great opportunity to take preventive steps and make changes in your lifestyle that will improve your health.

Some key health issues that typically affect men include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart disease, prostate issues and early dementia. These, among other medical concerns, often lead men to consult with their primary care provider to formulate a plan to address these health issues.

That’s why we reached out to Dr. Dean Mattox II, one of the primary care providers at Cameron Family Medicine, to get his top men’s health recommendations and tips.

Misconceptions About Health

One of the biggest misconceptions men tend to have about health is not prioritizing regular checkups. In general, men tend to avoid seeing a provider until they develop significant or severe symptoms. Dr. Mattox prefers to perform annual preventative exams so they can detect earlier stages of many diseases, even before symptoms arise. This allows health care providers more time to develop a plan to eliminate or better control the disease.

Lack of physical exams with doctors, poor diet, obesity, stress, depression, lack of exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, along with a high rate of workplace injuries, are just a few of the risk factors that may negatively impact men’s health. Regular appointments with a primary care provider can help address these factors before they escalate into illness.

How Men Can Prioritize Health

Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in boosting one’s overall well-being. Some changes to consider include:

• Frequent exercise
• Healthy dietary changes
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Wearing the appropriate safety gear when working or doing chores
• Quitting smoking

Dr. Mattox says that prioritizing socialization with those around you and a healthy family life also play a major role in men’s mental health.

Every man faces challenges as they age, which is why it’s critical to create open conversations about what may occur. Whether it is lack of energy, sexual health, prolonged pain, or depression, please discuss any concerns with your primary care provider.

Cameron Memorial Community Hospital is here to support you in every stage of life. If you are looking to schedule an appointment to discuss any concerns, find a provider today.