Health is wealth! As men, our pride overrides common sense and logic at times. We may ignore a certain pain that we have been experiencing and we prefer to keep it quiet from others knowing because we feel that it makes us look stronger. But that is the worst thing you could do to your health. Your body will start to suffer more as you get older.
So snap out of it. As men, we also want to live a long and happy life but it won’t happen until we own up to our own pain and seek medical help.
Check out this health checklist which was created just for men. It will provide a guide on what medical check-ups or tests you need to get done. But please note that this isn’t a detailed checklist and it is advisable that you speak with your doctor.
Annual Health Check-up
As the name states, this check-up is a routine yearly visit to a doctor. Having annual check-ups is important since you will be able to detect potential health issues in their early stages. This makes it easier to treat whatever illness or disease that you have.
But some diseases are very subtle and you may not show any symptoms. This is why annual check-ups are also important. Annual health check-ups can detect the following:
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Cancer
Glucose Test
According to Healthline, “a glucose tolerance test measures how well your body’s cells are able to absorb glucose (sugar) after you consume a specific amount of sugar.”
A glucose test is done to detect diabetes. There are 2 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: is diagnosed during childhood.
- Type 2 diabetes: a common form of diabetes that affects how your body uses glucose.
If your family has a history of diabetes, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Blood Pressure Test
A blood pressure test is done to see whether your blood pressure is high or low. According to NHS UK:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) can put a strain on your arteries and organs, which can increase your risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) isn’t usually as serious, although it can cause dizziness and fainting in some people.
You can either go to your local health center to get a blood pressure test or you can purchase a digital blood pressure monitor. Make sure that you understand the readings if you have a digital blood pressure monitor.
Cholesterol Check-Up
High cholesterol is common among men. You get your cholesterol tested with a blood test. This measures the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. There are 2 main types of cholesterol:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – bad cholesterol
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – good cholesterol.
High cholesterol can lead to heart failure, obesity, and possible diabetes. Be sure to monitor your cholesterol levels and get check-ups regularly.
Get Checked
Never miss a check-up. Always stay on top of your doctor’s appointments and be there on the day. Getting health check-ups can help detect diseases in their early stages which makes them easier to treat.