Getting older means you should be looking out for health issues more regularly. However, if you’re like me and many other men, avoiding the doctor’s office is common. My attitude has always been to shake off the pain or discomfort and it will go away – and it almost always has. Perhaps that makes sense when you are in your 20s and 30s but as you get older, particularly as your lifestyle becomes more unhealthy, health issues begin to catch up with you. As you reach your 50s, the decision to get a check-up becomes so much more important.
Regular health screenings can make the difference between life and getting seriously ill or worse. Let’s look at why it is important to get a check-up and how it can help you live a longer and healthier life.
Early Detection Saves Lives
The biggest reason to get a check-up is for early detection. A lot of health problems start quietly and without obvious symptoms. Regular screenings for issues like high blood pressure, early-stage cancers or other issues can alert you to an illness before becoming serious. By identifying problems sooner, treatments can work more effectively and faster.
Get a Check-up to Protect Your Heart
The leading cause of death for guys over 50 is heart disease. Heart disease is when there are problems with the heart or blood vessels which make it harder for the heart to pump blood. This is usually caused by fatty deposits which build up in the arteries, high blood pressure or other reasons.
Changes to your heart can start as early as your 40s which can eventually lead to heart attacks or strokes. Getting regular check ups to monitor bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure just makes sense.
Keep an Eye on Prostate Health
A major concern guys should have as they get older is problems with their prostate. Often the prostate, a small gland beneath the bladder in men, can grow larger as you get older. This growth can sometimes lead to prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men. Get a check-up to ensure your prostate health as early detection can make its treatment more effective.
Watch Out for Diabetes
Another condition to look out for as we get older is type 2 diabetes. It is common for men over 50 to develop diabetes without even knowing due to an unhealthy lifestyle and diet. High blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys and eyes. A Regular check-up can include blood tests to check your insulin and sugar levels. By monitoring your insulin levels early you have a better chance of reversing the possibility of getting type 2 diabetes.
Get a Check-up to Maintain Bone Health
While osteoporosis is more common with women as they age, men can get it as well. This disease weakens your bones, making them more likely to break. After age 50 you begin to lose bone mass. Both Calcium and vitamin D play a role in keeping your bones strong and should be considered (together) as a supplement. A regular check-up can also determine whether your bones are healthy.
Protect Your Vision and Hearing
Both your eyes and ears can get worse as you get older. Problems like glaucoma or cataracts can develop without warning. Similarly, hearing loss can also impact you negatively and develop out of nowhere. Get both your eyes and ears checked regularly. Only through early detection can you prevent further loss.
Mental Health Is Important Too
While another term for getting a check up is called getting a physical. While it is important to check your physical well being you should talk to your health professional regularly, especially if you suffer from constant stress, anxiety or depression. Getting older means new changes in your life, from changes in family, work or what to do for and during retirement. There is no shame in talking with a professional. Oh and don’t settle for just a solution involving drugs.
Little-Known Facts About Your Body
- Blood Vessels Age Too: One thing you may not know is that your blood vessels lose elasticity as you get older. This can increase blood pressure and put strain on your heart [1].
- Metabolism Slows Down: Your ability to process sugar can decrease as you age due to metabolic decline, which can increase your risk of diabetes and other diseases [2]. Get your insulin levels checked.
- Muscle Mass Decreases: Guys lose muscle mass each year which impacts not only the way you look but also your overall strength. Through a check up you can find ways to stay stronger.
- Insulin Resistance Increases: As you get older your cells can become less sensitive to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar [3]. This can increase blood sugar levels and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other health conditions.
Get a Check-up – Take Charge of Your Health
While it isn’t always easy to book a doctor’s appointment for a check-up in some places, it does provide huge benefits when you do. It not only helps you monitor your health but can give you a heads-up before an issue gets out of hand. Get a check-up and enjoy a longer healthier life.
Remember:
- Get a check-up each year.
- Take a notebook into your appointment listing your concerns and jot down notes from the doctor.
- Make sure to discuss issues openly, even if they may seem embarrassing.
- Make sure to follow through with the tests the doctor requests
Really the most important valuable thing you have is your health. Take it seriously – it will pay off in the future.
Check out Top 10 ways to boost your immune system for better health.
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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the support and guidance of your physician when you are unsure about any health issues.
