To be a good soldier, husband or father, one needs to stay strong mentally and physically, which means staying healthy.
June is being recognized as Mens Health Month. The purpose of Men's Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
Part of being aware is looking at the impact of lifestyle choices on health, such as diet habits, smoking and alcohol use.
Screening tests are a highly effective way to track and detect diseases or conditions early so they may be easier to treat.
Health officials have made several screening recommendations for men that are based.
Below are some of the most highly recommended screening test along with when they are needed.
Obesity
Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.) You can also find your own BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703. Divide the answer by your height in inches. Divide that anwer by your height in inches again. Underweight is <18.5, Normal is 18.5-24.9, Overweight is 25.0-24.9 and Obese is >30. More information can be found at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website at: http:⁄⁄www.nhlbisupport.com⁄bmi⁄.
High Cholesterol
Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35. If you are younger than 35, talk to your doctor about whether to have your cholesterol checked if:
You have diabetes.
You have high blood pressure.
Heart disease runs in your family.
You smoke.
High Blood Pressure
Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140⁄90 or higher. The top number measures systolic pressure which is the maximum pressure against the artery walls while the heart beats.
The bottom number measures diastolic pressure which is the pressure between heartbeats when the heart refills. The exact cause of high blood pressure can’t be determined in most cases but being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, a family history, eating too much salt or just getting older are known to raise blood pressure.
Colorectal Cancer
Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
Diabetes:
Have a test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. There are dietary approaches to managing diabetes. Carbohydrates are the starches in food. Every meal should include carbs because your body uses them for energy but foods high in carbs can raise blood glucose the most. For someone with diabetes the ideal goal is to have a reading of <110 mg⁄dL before a meal and <140mg⁄dL 2 hrs after. Generally people need 45-60 grams of carbs in each meal for energy. For most diabetics 15g carbs = 1 carb choice.
Depression:
Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt “down,“ sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted infections.
HIV: Talk to your doctor about HIV screening if you:
Have had sex with men since 1975.
Have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Have used or now use injection drugs.
Exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
Have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever smoked (100 or more cigarettes during your lifetime), you need to be screened once for abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your abdomen.
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