Men: Do Not Neglect Your Regular Health Checkup!!!

 

Men are often more prone to neglect their regular health checkup and there may only be few who prioritize their health diligently. Here are some common reasons why some men neglect their regular health checkup:

1) Societal Expectations

Traditional gender roles and societal expectations often place men in the role of being stoic and self-reliant. This can lead some men to downplay their health concerns or avoid seeking medical help until they perceive a problem as severe.

2) Fear and Denial

Some men may have a fear of doctors, hospitals or medical procedures (Courtenay, W.H., 2000. Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: a theory of gender and health. Social science & medicine, 50(10), pp.1385-1401). This fear can lead to denial or avoidance of healthcare, even when symptoms or risk factors are present.

3) Busy Lives

Men may often have demanding work schedules or family responsibilities that they prioritize over their own health. This can lead to a lack of time for regular checkups or preventive care.

4) Lack of Symptoms

Men may avoid checkups if they feel fine and do not experience any obvious health issues. However, many health conditions, including heart disease and certain cancers, can develop silently without noticeable symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.

5) Belief in Invincibility

Some men may have a sense of invincibility or overconfidence in their health, believing that they are less susceptible to illness or disease compared to others (Medical News Today (2023). Two-thirds of men think they are healthier than most other men. MediLexicon International. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-do-so-many-men-skip-regular-health-checkups (Accessed: 20 September 2023)).

6) Embarrassment or Discomfort

Some medical exams, such as prostate exams or discussions about sexual health, can be embarrassing or uncomfortable for men. This discomfort may deter them from seeking regular checkups.

7) Cost Concerns

Financial considerations can be a barrier to healthcare access. Men without adequate health insurance may avoid checkups due to concerns about the cost of medical care.

8) Lack of Awareness

Some men may not be fully aware of the importance of preventive healthcare or the specific screenings and tests recommended for their age and risk factors (Alzahrani, A.M., Quronfulah, B.S., Felix, H.C. and Khogeer, A.A., 2022. Barriers to routine checkups use among Saudis from the perspective of primary care providers: a qualitative study. Saudi Medical Journal, 43(6), p.618).

9) Fear of Bad News

Men may worry about receiving a negative diagnosis or facing a serious health condition. This fear can lead to avoidance of checkups as a way to avoid confronting potential health issues.

To address these issues and encourage men to prioritize their health, it is important to promote awareness about the importance of regular health checkup and preventive care, reduce the stigma associated with seeking medical help and provide access to healthcare services that are affordable and culturally sensitive.

Importance of regular health checkup for men

1) Early Detection of Health Issues

 Regular checkups can help identify health problems at an early stage, thereby helping in timely intervention and treatment. Many health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, can be asymptomatic in their early stages, thereby making regular screenings and health check up crucial for early detection. For best insights on how regular health checkup helps in early detection of diseases, refer to DocTube.

2) Prevention and Risk Assessment

During a health checkup, healthcare providers can assess a man's overall health and identify risk factors for various diseases (Alzahrani, A.M.A., Felix, H.C., Stewart, M.K., Selig, J.P., Swindle, T. and Abdeldayem, M., 2021. Utilization of routine medical checkup and factors influencing use of routine medical checkup among Saudi students studying in the USA in 2019. Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research, 1(1), pp.16-25). They can provide guidance on lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to reduce these risks and prevent future health problems.

3) Monitoring Chronic Conditions

For men with chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes, regular health checkup is essential for monitoring their condition and adjusting treatment plans as needed to maintain good health and prevent complications.

4) Immunizations

Men may need vaccinations to protect against infectious diseases like influenza, pneumonia and hepatitis. Regular health checkup is an opportunity to ensure that vaccinations are up to date.

5) Prostate Health

Regular checkups must include prostate-specific screenings and discussions about prostate health, especially as men age (Wolf, A.M., Wender, R.C., Etzioni, R.B., Thompson, I.M., D'Amico, A.V., Volk, R.J., Brooks, D.D., Dash, C., Guessous, I., Andrews, K. and DeSantis, C., 2010. American Cancer Society guideline for the early detection of prostate cancer: update 2010. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 60(2), pp.70-98). Detecting prostate cancer early may help to improve overall treatment outcomes  significantly. 

6) Mental Health

Mental health is equally important as physical health. Regular checkups provide an opportunity to discuss mental health concerns, stress, anxiety, and depression with a healthcare provider. This can lead to appropriate management and treatment if needed.

7) Sexual Health

Men can discuss sexual health concerns, including erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted infections and family planning during checkups. Healthcare providers can offer guidance and interventions as necessary.

8) Bone Health

Osteoporosis is not just a concern for women. Men can also experience bone density issues as they age. Regular health checkup may include bone density assessments and recommendations for bone health.

9) Lifestyle Counseling

Healthcare providers can offer advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol moderation (Puhkala, J., Kukkonen-Harjula, K., Mansikkamäki, K., Aittasalo, M., Hublin, C., Kärmeniemi, P., Olkkonen, S., Partinen, M., Sallinen, M., Tokola, K. and Fogelholm, M., 2015. Lifestyle counseling to reduce body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors among truck and bus drivers–a randomized controlled trial. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, pp.54-64). These recommendations can help men make positive choices for their overall well-being.

10) Health Education

Checkups provide an opportunity for healthcare providers to educate men about important health topics and address any questions or concerns they may have.

11) Longevity and Quality of Life

Regular health checkups, combined with proactive health management, can contribute to a longer and higher-quality life by reducing the risk of serious health complications.

It may thus be stated that regular health checkup is essential for men to maintain and improve their overall health, detect health issues early and receive guidance on preventive measures and lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier and longer life. Men should work with their healthcare providers to establish a schedule for regular checkups based on their age, medical history and individual risk factors.

 

Why is it important for men to go for their regular health checkups?

 

   

Health checkups are important for men as they help them in staying healthy by detecting and acting upon early warning signs of different illnesses and diseases.

 

 

What is included in a man’s regular health checkup?

 

   

A man’s regular health checkup usually comprises of physical examination tests, cholesterol level check, blood pressure, eye examination, body mass index, complete blood tests and screening for different sexually transmitted diseases.