Do you push your health to the sidelines? Does focusing on yourself always come last behind work, family, and everything on your to-do list? Well, it’s time to change your perspective—especially since men are at higher risk for a variety of serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The bottom line is that you can’t look at wellness as a problem you’ll solve later. Whole-body health has to be built consistently over time. “Your body is a house that’s in a constant state of remodeling. Make sure to invest in your property and provide it good building materials.” – RANDY HINES II, MD, Chief, men’s Health, Wellstar Start with this guide, which walks you through the steps you should take during each stage of life. From the habits you form as a young man to the screenings and lifestyle adjustments you make in midlife and beyond, you need to be proactive. Wellstar wants to partner with you on this journey, helping you understand how your body works so you know what to do when it changes. Begin today, and you’ll win in the long run. To learn more, visit: wellstar.org/menshealth —————————————————————————————————————————— Ages 13-19: Get in Tune with Your Body It’s been said that life moves pretty fast, and you’re probably realizing how true this is. These years represent a time of rapid transformation for you both physically and emotionally. From growth spurts and hormone shifts to becoming more independent, your development as a young man can be as intimidating as it is exciting. It’s important for you to build healthy habits now, learning how to fuel your body effectively, manage stress, and navigate the preventative care that will build a strong foundation for your future wellness. Youth is on your side, so take advantage of it. Smart Moves 1. See your pediatrician or PCP annually and make a record of your immunizations—including Tdap, HPV, and meningitis—because you’ll need that information for school. 2. Ask your doctor about proper nutrition for your growing body; growth spurts require more quality calories. 3. If you’re a student-athlete, injury prevention will be key; talk to your coaches about proper training and protective equipment. 4. If you become sexually active, discuss topics like sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception options, and consent with your doctor or a trusted adult. 5. Make proper hygiene part of your daily routine, including showering, brushing and flossing your teeth, maintaining your hair, and moisturizing your skin. Myth vs. Fact MYTH, Women are more likely than men to die from suicide. FACT, Women have higher rates of attempts, but men are more likely to succeed, as they use more lethal methods. If you feel suicidal, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 at any time. —————————————————————————————————————————— Your 20s: Set the Baseline With so much going on, from building your career to enjoying a full social life, it’s easy to put your health on the backburner during your 20s. But now is the time to build wellness routines that will support your body and mind in the decades to come. That includes setting up those doctor visits that rarely make it onto your calendar. Couple that with beneficial lifestyle habits, and you’ll be on track for a long and healthy life. Men often feel invincible at this age, but ignoring your health can lead to serious issues in the future. Smart Moves 1. Get a handle on your health stats, including your glucose and cholesterol levels, body mass index, and blood pressure to prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes later in life. 2. Limit alcohol usage to no more than two drinks per day and abstain from smoking and vaping; these activites can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or certain cancers. 3. If you are sexually active, get regular screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 4. Find a mental health professional who can treat signs of anxiety or depression and have open conversations when needed. 5. Refrain from risky behavior like driving under the influence, substance abuse, and high-risk sexual behavior (including unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners). “Establishing healthy habits now will help to decrease the chances of developing certain diseases in the future.” – Randy Hines II, MD           —————————————————————————————————————————— Your 30s: Sharpen Your Strategy Two things can be true at the same time in your 30s: you are in your physical prime and you begin to notice subtle shifts in your overall health. Maybe it takes you longer to bounce back from an illness or injury. Your metabolism could show signs of slowing down as your weight begins to creep up. Whatever changes you experience, now is the time to talk to your doctor and make moves that will keep you strong, energized, and develop a game plan for your future health. Smart Moves 1. Visit your primary care physician to get an annual physical. 2. Have additional screenings beyond blood pressure and cholesterol; make sure your doctor checks your kidney and liver function and for anemia (a reduced number of healthy red blood cells). 3. Get a flu shot each year. If you have asthma, consider getting a pneumonia vaccine. 4. Don’t dismiss the signs of kidney stones, which may peak in your 30s thanks to diet, fluid intake, or obesity; look out for severe flank or back pain and frequent urination. 5. The risk for type 2 diabetes can increase during this stage of life; watch your weight and have a fasting glucose blood test each year. More Than Medicine Sleep hygiene is important. Aim for at least seven to eight hours per night. If you have trouble sleeping regularly, visit one of Wellstar’s specially trained sleep doctors to be tested and treated for an array of sleep disorders. —————————————————————————————————————————— Your 40s: Maintain Your Momentum You’ve done the work and set up preventative care routines and lifestyle habits that will benefit you for many years. Yet there is still more to do. You have to maintain everything you’ve done during your 30s, as well as add a few things to the list. Hormonal changes are not exclusive to women, and you could begin feeling their effects. The risk of conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease also continues to rise at this time, so you have to stay on top of your wellness regimen. Smart Moves 1. Talk to your doctor about hormonal changes that can lead to low energy, erectile dysfunction, decreased sex drive, and mood changes. 2. Erectile dysfunction affects up to 40 percent of men in their 40s, so talk to your PCP or a urologist if you experience symptoms. 3. Discuss with your doctor about having a colon cancer screening at age 45. There are multiple options, including a colonoscopy, stool sample, or blood test. 4. Discuss with your PCP if you should be screened for prostate cancer now or starting in your 50s. This can depend on your race or family history. 5. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are common during this stage of life; talk to a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed. Myth vs. Fact MYTH, A rectal exam is the only way to test for prostate cancer. FACT, A rectal exam is not the only option. A blood test can detect the PSA levels in your blood. A normal PSA level is considered to be below 4.0 ng/mL. —————————————————————————————————————————— Your 50s: Protect Your Prime Years For many men, this decade represents a defining stage of life. Your age is a larger factor than ever before, and your physical wellness could impact your overall quality of life. Preventative care, including an array of screenings, is key right now. Your goal is to stay ahead of and identify potential issues as soon as possible so you can be proactive instead of reactive. You have so much you want to see and do during these prime years, so continue taking control of your health on a regular basis. Smart Moves 1. Talk to your doctor about cardiac health. Consider having a coronary artery calcium (CAC) test to measure the amount of plaque in the walls of your coronary arteries. 2. Stay up to date on your recommended vaccines, including those for shingles, RSV, flu, and pneumonia. 3. See an orthopedist about your musculoskeletal health, particularly if you experience joint stiffness or arthritis. 4. An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) is common; talk to your doctor or a urologist if you have difficulty urinating, frequent urination, or can’t fully empty your bladder. 5. Movement is medicine, so keep your body in motion. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of moderate activity three to four times per week. Physician Quote “Learn your new body as you mature in life. No one should know your body better than you.” – Randy Hines II, MD —————————————————————————————————————————— Your 60s: Stay in the Game Prevention remains center stage on your health journey, but now you also have to focus on maintaining your independence, energy, and vitality. Your 60s are all about enjoying the life you’ve created, and you don’t want physical or mental conditions to slow you down. Sensory and cognitive issues enter the conversation now, and you’ll need to consider these as you also continue to have screenings for your heart, prostate, colon, and bones. There’s no reason you can’t stay in the game at this stage of life, approaching every day with confidence, strength, and resilience. Smart Moves 1. You are at increased risk of falling; be mindful of your surroundings, install nightlights, and remove items like rugs that you may trip on. 2. Talk to your primary care physician about symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s; you may be referred to a neurologist if you experience memory loss, confusion, or speech difficulties. 3. Have regular hearing and vision tests to check for hearing loss, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. 4. As you get older, your immune system weakens, putting you at risk for certain infections. Talk to your PCP about vaccinations. 5. Review all medications, supplements, and vitamins with your pharmacist or PCP to ensure that you are not being overmedicated or at an increased risk of having side effects. More Than Medicine DEXA bone densitometry scans are recommended for men over the age of 70 or those who have risk factors like previous fractures, low body weight, or high-risk medication use. Wellstar Imaging Services offers DEXA scans at various locations across the health system. The post The Long Game: Men’s health through the decades appeared first on Atlanta Magazine. ...read more read less