It’s Men’s Health Month! 4 Tips to Keep Dad Healthy
Men’s Health Month we celebrate men, so a big shout-out to all the dads, grandpas, hubbies, brothers, and father figures in our lives! Time to get dad healthy and keep him that way!
We all know this month we celebrate Father’s Day, but did you know that June is also Men’s Health Education and Awareness Month? This is perfect timing to consider that the best father’s day gift is Good Health!
This observance is celebrated to raise men’s health awareness and encourage men of all ages to work together with their families to adopt a better lifestyle that includes exercise and healthy eating habits.
The most common diseases affect both men and women, however, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women on average live five years more than men. While this is not great news for the guys, the male life expectancy gap improved from 1979 when women on average lived 7.8 years longer than men; however, male life expectancy has decreased in the last two years.
Men are now living longer in part because of the efforts to raise awareness about healthcare. Most men don’t like to talk about or acknowledge their health problems, this is mostly due to social stigma; sadly men have been made to feel ashamed for being ill, and it is because of this that most men don’t get regular checkups.
It is essential for both men and women to get regular checkups, as these aid in early detection of the leading causes of death in America, such as:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases
- Cerebrovascular Diseases (Stroke)
- Diabetes
- Kidney Disease
- Influenza and Pneumonia
- Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis
- Hypertension
Men’s Health has come a long way in the last 40 years, we have increased male life expectancy, and improved diagnostic tests, and treatments, but we can do more.
For this reason, the staff of Altus Emergency Centers wants to help dads live longer, healthier lives. We are already committed to saving the lives of those who visit our centers, but, as always prevention is the best medicine, so follow our helpful tips to improve your health and that of the extraordinary men in your life.
Protect Your Heart
Heart Disease is the number one reason men die in this country, luckily, there are simple ways to strengthen and improve your heart’s function, the most important one is diet.
Improving the way we eat, will help keep our hearts healthy, and you don’t need to give up all your favorite foods, but you should reduce the amount of saturated fat you consume, lower your sodium intake, and add more vegetables, and fruits to your diet. When serving, remember fruits and vegetables should be half of the plate.
You’ve Got to Move it, Move it!
Most guys think exercise should be intense workouts with heavy weights. We won’t discourage this type of training, but, it is not necessary to be healthier. Just 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise a day is enough to help you live longer and improve your quality of life as you age.
Be Proactive
Think about how you take care of your car, you know preventive maintenance is essential, that is why you regularly change the oil, you change the brake pads, and rotate the tires, right? So why won’t you do the same for you? Don’t wait until you are feeling sick to visit your doctor, be proactive and take care of yourself; regular medical checkups can catch small problems before they become big ones.
Talk it Out
Life can be overwhelming sometimes, and just because you are a guy doesn’t mean you have to be tough and brave all the time. Emotional stress hurts our health and can take years off our lives; therefore, it’s not only ok to seek help, but it is also needed. So, talk to your partner, talk to a friend, or find a therapist who can help you deal with emotional issues.
