Preventive Care Can Save Men´s Lives
Melody Schubert
August 07, 2007
Our busy lives and work schedules often prevent us from seeking routine health exams. Yet, by taking the time for routine check ups we can work with our doctors to detect, and possibly prevent serious illness. This is especially true when it comes to the three leading health concerns for men, which are:
Prostrate Cancer: Over 32,000 men die from prostate cancer each year, which is why early detection is critical. Just as women have yearly check ups and mammograms, men should also begin annual prostate cancer screenings beginning at age 50 unless suggested earlier by their doctor.
Testicular Cancer is another concern for men and can strike at almost any age. As with women who perform monthly breast self-exams, men who do self-examinations increase the chances of detecting testicular cancer in its early stages.
Heart disease is a leading killer among men according to The American Heart Association. Regular visits to your doctor can help detect high blood pressure and reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Another health concern many men may be unaware of is the potential for kidney disease. Preventive care is the first step toward protecting yourself against kidney disease; a condition that affects over 20 million American´s. An equal number of American´s are at risk for the disease and do not know it according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Until the disease reaches an advanced stage no apparent symptoms may be detected, which is why the National Kidney Foundation encourages American´s to get tested for the disease. Anyone can get chronic kidney disease, but some people are more prone to the condition than others. Those at higher risk include:
Diabetics or those with a family history of diabetes
Those with high blood pressure or family history of hypertension
Those with a family history of chronic kidney disease
African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans
Senior Citizens
There are several simple tests your doctor can perform to check for kidney disease, including routine blood pressure checks, and a urinalysis that is used to check for protein and a blood test to test for the level of serum creatinine. If this waste build-up is present in the urine it indicates that the kidneys are having difficulty filtering the blood. When caught early chronic kidney disease can be treated to prolong or even prevent associated complicating factors, such as heart disease.
Often money and insurance is a factor in preventive care. To ease the financial burden of health care, free or low cost screenings, testing, and discussion groups are available. You may also speak to your personal doctor who can suggest screening and treatment options in your area.
For preventive and treatment options available there are a number of resources available online. The Men's Healthline http://www.menshealthweek.orgis a site that offers insightful information, answers and solutions to health concerns for men. Among the helpful and informative health issues covered at the Men´s Healthline are Men's Health and Mortality, Prostate and Testicular Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and links to a variety of resources.
For more links to Free or Low Cost Health Care available in your area visit http://www.menshealthweek.org/free.htm, where you will find clinics listed by state. The services may vary at the centers according to the funding available to each clinic.
You can find out more about prevention and treatment options for chronic kidney disease call the National Kidney Foundation at 1 (800) 622-9010 or visit their web site at: www.kidney.org.
Remember the key to living a healthy life is prevention and working closely with your doctor to detect life threatening illnesses.
Find more attractions, entertainment, and travel destinations by visiting USA
Travel Magazine's Online Edition at
www.usatravelmagazine.com, or visit their Mobile Edition at http://www.mobile.usatravelmagazine.com/index.htm.
Prostrate Cancer: Over 32,000 men die from prostate cancer each year, which is why early detection is critical. Just as women have yearly check ups and mammograms, men should also begin annual prostate cancer screenings beginning at age 50 unless suggested earlier by their doctor.
Testicular Cancer is another concern for men and can strike at almost any age. As with women who perform monthly breast self-exams, men who do self-examinations increase the chances of detecting testicular cancer in its early stages.
Heart disease is a leading killer among men according to The American Heart Association. Regular visits to your doctor can help detect high blood pressure and reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Another health concern many men may be unaware of is the potential for kidney disease. Preventive care is the first step toward protecting yourself against kidney disease; a condition that affects over 20 million American´s. An equal number of American´s are at risk for the disease and do not know it according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Until the disease reaches an advanced stage no apparent symptoms may be detected, which is why the National Kidney Foundation encourages American´s to get tested for the disease. Anyone can get chronic kidney disease, but some people are more prone to the condition than others. Those at higher risk include:
Diabetics or those with a family history of diabetes
Those with high blood pressure or family history of hypertension
Those with a family history of chronic kidney disease
African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans
Senior Citizens
There are several simple tests your doctor can perform to check for kidney disease, including routine blood pressure checks, and a urinalysis that is used to check for protein and a blood test to test for the level of serum creatinine. If this waste build-up is present in the urine it indicates that the kidneys are having difficulty filtering the blood. When caught early chronic kidney disease can be treated to prolong or even prevent associated complicating factors, such as heart disease.
Often money and insurance is a factor in preventive care. To ease the financial burden of health care, free or low cost screenings, testing, and discussion groups are available. You may also speak to your personal doctor who can suggest screening and treatment options in your area.
For preventive and treatment options available there are a number of resources available online. The Men's Healthline http://www.menshealthweek.orgis a site that offers insightful information, answers and solutions to health concerns for men. Among the helpful and informative health issues covered at the Men´s Healthline are Men's Health and Mortality, Prostate and Testicular Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and links to a variety of resources.
For more links to Free or Low Cost Health Care available in your area visit http://www.menshealthweek.org/free.htm, where you will find clinics listed by state. The services may vary at the centers according to the funding available to each clinic.
You can find out more about prevention and treatment options for chronic kidney disease call the National Kidney Foundation at 1 (800) 622-9010 or visit their web site at: www.kidney.org.
Remember the key to living a healthy life is prevention and working closely with your doctor to detect life threatening illnesses.
Find more attractions, entertainment, and travel destinations by visiting USA
Travel Magazine's Online Edition at
www.usatravelmagazine.com, or visit their Mobile Edition at http://www.mobile.usatravelmagazine.com/index.htm.
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