Regular screenings and checkups are important in finding and treating hidden health problems, ranging from high blood pressure to struggles with mental health. It is crucial to take a proactive approach to your health, in order to receive the proper treatment.
In this article, we will cover the essential checklist of men’s health screenings to help you keep tabs on your health.
Cholesterol Check – Keeping Cardiovascular Health in Check
Cholesterol is a type of fat produced in your liver, and also absorbed from the food you eat. In your body, there are two types of cholesterol: LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, while HDL is often referred to as “good” cholesterol. While both HDL and LDL are needed to maintain the body’s natural functions, too much LDL can lead to problems.
Higher levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood can cause a buildup of plaque in arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of circulatory issues like heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
With heart and circulatory disease making up for a quarter of all deaths in the UK, understanding your blood cholesterol levels can be a hugely important step in identifying and addressing any issues before they get out of hand.
Pharmacists play a crucial role by offering convenient cholesterol test kits and interpreting lipid profiles. If you find that you have high cholesterol, there are several treatment options available to you.
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The most commonly prescribed class of medication for high cholesterol are Statins. These work by lowering cholesterol production in your body, and help your liver remove cholesterol already present in the blood.
However, if you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, nothing beats a healthy lifestyle. Some things you can do to reduce your cholesterol are:
- Reduce the saturated fat in your diet – try switching from whole milk to skimmed, or eating leaner meats like turkey
- Increase your level of exercise – look for opportunities for quick bouts of exercise, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- Stop smoking – Smoking can increase ‘bad’ cholesterol and reduce ‘good’ cholesterol, so consider quitting if you do smoke
- Reduce your alcohol consumption – cutting down alcohol will help your liver work better in removing bad cholesterol from your blood
Blood Pressure Monitoring – The Silent Threat
Early detection of high blood pressure (hypertension) is very important. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts undue strain on your blood vessels, heart, and other organs such as your kidneys, brain, and even your eyes. Hypertension is often referred to as a ’silent killer’, as it increases your risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke – but there may be no immediate symptoms.
Making sure you routinely have blood pressure checks done is an important habit to get into, helping to ensure any issues are caught early. Pharmacists play an important role in helping you identify and control your blood pressure by giving you the tools and knowledge to manage it through treatment and lifestyle changes.
Some lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or lower your risk of developing high blood pressure are:
- Reduce the amount of salt you eat (and generally eat healthily)
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Reduce caffeine consumption
- Lose weight if you’re overweight
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
High blood pressure is one of the more common health conditions and, as such, accessing blood pressure monitoring services in pharmacies is easily done. If you need further advice or guidance on managing blood pressure, or more information about treatment options, we have several articles covering various aspects of it.
Diabetes Testing – Nipping High Blood Sugar in the Bud
Diabetes is a medical condition where your blood glucose level is too high. Under normal circumstances, your body would produce insulin to moderate high glucose levels in your blood; in the case of type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is being produced, or your body has become resistant to its effects.
The primary risk factor associated with type 2 diabetes is obesity. More specifically, consistent overeating can cause the body to stop responding to the hormonal signals created by insulin, which reduces the body’s ability to deal with blood sugar.
If your blood sugar is too high, signs you may have diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow healing wounds
- Numbness in hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Dry skin
Although anyone can develop diabetes, it is more common in men. Getting regular screenings can be the difference between getting ahead of it, or developing potentially severe health complications.
With this and the symptoms of diabetes in mind, if you suspect you may be at risk, you should consider getting screened. Several tests may be carried out to aid diagnosis and may take the form of a blood test or providing a urine sample.
If diabetes is discovered, there are plenty of treatment options available, the most common of which being metformin. But, as with lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol, leading a healthy lifestyle is the most effective means of preventing type 2 diabetes.
If you need further advice or information on diabetes and treatment, see our other articles on the subject.
Testosterone Level Checks – Assessing Hormonal Balance
Testosterone checks are particularly important for men, as they provide valuable insights into hormonal balance, reproductive health, and general well-being. Testosterone is a key male sex hormone that influences various aspects of physical and mental health, including muscle mass, bone density, sex drive, and mood.
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Fatigue
- Reduced muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Reduced sex drive
- Loss of body hair and beard growth
- Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
While it is true that testosterone levels in men gradually decrease with age, if you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone you should consider taking a testosterone test. Additionally, because testosterone is integral to sperm production, you should consider a testosterone test if you’re having difficulty conceiving.
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If you discover that your testosterone levels are low, Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is an option available to you with a doctor’s approval.
Take an assessment to see your Low Testosterone treatment options today
Mental Health Screenings – Nurturing Emotional Well-being
While mental health, particularly men’s mental health, is a much more approachable topic now than it ever has been, it can still be hugely challenging for those affected to address it, for both men and women.
A mental health screening is a standard set of questions to help a health care provider learn about a person’s mood, thinking and behaviour. Having such a screening can be an important part in your overall health at any stage of your life.
With proper mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment, those affected stand a much better chance of improvement and recovery than they would without treatment.
Recognising that you may be dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression isn’t always easy. Getting mental health screenings from healthcare professionals is an important step in the process of identifying and then addressing any issues you might be struggling with.
The most important thing is that you do not suffer in silence. If you are struggling with your mental health, there are several services in place to give you the support and guidance you may need.
Summary
Regular screenings to stay on top of your cardiovascular, hormonal, and mental health are important in ensuring you are aware of what is going on in your body and mind. Having this awareness can let you address potential problems before they get out of hand.
This checklist covers some of the most important men’s health screenings you should consider having to make sure you are healthy, happy, and informed on your current health condition.