While there’s strong evidence that men should be tested for conditions they more commonly experience, the truth is, many still don’t get these vital exams. Some do not even have a regular source of healthcare – 26% actually don’t, according to report by the Centers for Disease Control.
But as we celebrate Men’s Health Week – kicking off today through Father’s Day – here are 10 specific men’s health screenings that can keep men well throughout their lives.
- It’s important to be aware of your body mass index – more commonly called BMI – to be in the healthy range of 18.5 and 25, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Numbers higher than that can indicate obesity, which put men at an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease.
- Men 35 or older should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years to see if their numbers are high. If you have a BMI over 30, are a smoker or diabetic, then you should be tested annually after age 20. Just a simple blood test can determine numbers for good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol, which should be below 200 mg/dL, according to the American Heart Association.
- The same blood drawn can test your triglycerides for metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Triglycerides – a specific type of fat in the blood – should be below 150 mg/dL, with 100 mg/dL being optimal, according to the AHA.
- High blood pressure can damage vital organs – like the kidneys – and lead to heart disease and stroke. The AHA suggests getting blood pressure checked every 2 years if blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm/Hg and more often if higher.
- Taking a fasting plasma glucose test can help determine if you are developing diabetes, as can a blood pressure reading of 135/80. Blood glucose between 70 and 99 mg/dL is normal after fasting for 8 hours. Anything higher can mean the earliest stages of diabetes.
- When men reach age 50, it’s advised that they get their first colorectal cancer screening, according to the American Cancer Society. With colon cancer being the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, a 20-minute colonoscopy can detect growths at their earliest stages.
- If you’ve been a smoker for most of your life and are between 65 and 75, the Department of Health & Human Services recommends being tested for an abdominal aortic aneurysm – an enlarged blood vessel in the stomach that can rupture quickly. With no known symptoms, death is usually eminent in up to 50% of incidences before men can even reach a hospital.
- Most men like to always appear rock solid, but depression can be a common condition that men experience. Feeling a loss of interest in things you normally enjoy for longer than 2 weeks could be a sign of depression. After screening, depression can be treated by therapy, medication or a combination of both.
- Annual exams and monthly skin checks are recommended by the National Cancer Institute to check for melanoma and other skin cancers. Nearly 45,000 men are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, but when detected early, treatments are generally highly successful.
- While there is a debate if a digital rectal exam might do more harm than good and lead to unnecessary biopsies, men with a family history of prostate cancer should discuss with their physician if the risks are worth it.
Consider sharing this information with the men in your life who have been putting off these important tests.
Source
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/top-10-tests-men-should-get
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations?page=2
http://www.webmd.com/men/features/mens-health-tuneup-schedule-medical-tests
https://www.virginiamason.org/WhatareNormalBloodGlucoseLevels
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