Men’s Health By The Ages

Taking care of your health isn’t just about treating health problems, but about practicing prevention.

June is Men’s Health Month, so it’s a good time for a look at what areas of health men should consider and at what ages.

“When it comes to living a life of health and vitality, there are a lot of things men can do to steer clear of health problems and dangerous diseases,” said David Roldan, MD, a family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento. “We want to encourage men to take control of their health. Make the change, have recommended screenings, and talk to their doctors about what’s going to help them have many healthy years ahead.”

Dr. Roldan supports these health recommendations through the ages:

Men in their 20s:
• Schedule a physical with your primary-care physician
A checkup can help you catch potential problems early before they become serious. For example, most people with high blood pressure don’t know it, and high blood sugar and cholesterol levels often won’t produce symptoms by themselves. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases is important as well.

• Develop healthy habits
Good habits established in your 20s can have a positive effect on your future health. Most men already know about the foundational benefits of exercise, sleep, and a good diet. But this should also be the decade to think about how your bad habits – smoking, drug use and binge drinking – might take their toll. Alcohol addiction, especially, can lead to severe long-term health risks including nerve damage, liver disease and dementia.

Men in their 30s:

• Focus on heart health
Your heart is a vital organ, and this decade should be about protecting it. About 28 percent of Americans have hypertension, or high blood pressure. A majority of people consume nearly twice the daily recommended amount of sodium. Heavy salt diets put you at risk for high blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the world.

• Get flexible, to prevent new injuries and fix old ones
There’s a disparity between what some men think they can do and what their body can do. They may be sedentary during the week, then push the limits as a weekend warrior. It can put men at greater risk for muscle injuries such as Achilles tears and knee ligament damage. Men should work on flexibility and stretching as a means of preventing injury.

• Educate yourself about cancer
Cancer will probably be an issue at some point. Start learning about it.
Men in their 30s during routine physical examinations should discuss screening for cancer of the thyroid, testicles, mouth, skin, and lymph nodes. Self-exams are a good idea.

Men in their 40s:
• Focus on vision
Have an eye exam every two years. Men in their 40s may start to have trouble seeing clearly at close range, especially while reading or working on a computer. This normal change in the eye’s focusing ability is called presbyopia, and it could get worse over time. Diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, a visually demanding job and general health issues such as high cholesterol, thyroid conditions, and arthritis. These are all health conditions that can affect vision. Many medications also have side effects on the eyes.

• Maintain muscle mass and strength
Men lose up to one percent of their muscle mass per year as they get older. Age-related muscle loss is known as sarcopenia.

• Get screened for colon cancer
Colon, or colorectal, cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It’s more likely to affect certain populations, including African Americans and Alaskan Natives.

It’s recommended that men get tested for colon cancer starting at age 45, though men with a family history of colon cancer should get tested earlier.

Screening can be done with a simple at home stool test. If your test finds something suspicious, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy.

• Stress and lifestyle management
Stress over family, career, and finances are just a few factors of stress, a risk factor for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of men in their late 40s and early 50s. It’s vital to kick bad habits and watch cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Lose extra weight. Make time to exercise and relax. Start looking into screening guidelines and recommendations for diseases. Have regular checkups with your doctor.

Men in their 50s:
• Make an informed decision about prostate health

Men between the ages of 50 and 69 (or as young as age 45 for those in high-risk groups including African American men and men with a family history) should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of a screening PSA test. For many men, testing may do more harm than good because, while prostate cancer is a serious disease that will kill about 30,000 men this year, the vast majority of prostate cancers will grow slowly, and they do not cause death.

• Check for diabetes
Type 2 diabetes increases your risk for heart disease, blindness, erectile dysfunction, and nerve and kidney damage.

Men in their 50s should be screened for diabetes at least every three years.

Men 60 and older:
• Build your brain power
It’s estimated about a quarter of those over age 70 will suffer from some form of mild cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s, an irreversible, progressive brain disease, affects about 5 million Americans. So, it’s good to work on keeping your brain sharp now. Studies suggest that cognitive “workouts,” such as making lists, can help keep dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay. Proper diet and exercise are also key.

• Mental health and depression
The National Institute of Mental Health says suicide is a concern among older adults. The loss of a spouse, a long illness, feelings of loneliness, and major life changes such as retirement or moving into an assisted-living facility are all risk factors for depression.

• Bone health and osteoporosis
Bone loss is a risk that could contribute to fractures in the hip, spine, and wrist. Men should be screened for osteoporosis, eat calcium-rich foods, get vitamin D, exercise regularly and do weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, climbing, and dancing.