June is dedicated to Men’s Health and making not only men, but those who love them, aware of the many different health issues that can affect and even end their lives. As Dr. David Gremillion of the Men’s Health Network says, “There is a silent health crisis in America… it’s that fact that, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.” While women seem to take the time to get annual checkups and take a proactive approach in their health with the necessary health screenings; men are less likely than women when it comes to taking time for their health. What they may not realize is that their decision to partake in a less than healthy lifestyle and not taking the time for proper proactive screening and checkups doesn’t only affect them but it has a huge effect on those that love them.
Here’s a surreal look at 6 of the top 10 causes of death in America and the difference between men and women for each of these. The surprising aspect of this table is that for each item listed we have the power to reduce these numbers with the right decisions and change to a healthier lifestyle. Simply put, it’s time for men to get proactive, make more educated decisions, and choose to break out of these statistics!
|
Cause & Rate[1] |
Men |
Women |
| Heart Disease |
228.6 |
143.0 |
| Cancer |
211.6 |
146.8 |
| Injuries |
51.1. |
24.6 |
| Stroke |
39.7 |
37.8 |
| Suicide |
19.2 |
4.9 |
| HIV/AIDS |
4.4 |
1.7 |
How Can You Help Keep The Men in Your Life Healthier?
- Insist they go for regular checkups
- Promote a healthier diet
- Take notice in mood changes or withdrawals from loved ones as this could be a sign of depression (a common cause of
suicide)
- Be there for them to listen and talk through issues that may be bothering them
- Get them moving – exercise releases endorphins that make one happier and feel better (not to mention it will help them be healthier in both mind and body!)
- Sign them up for a Wellness Program (Live Your Life Physical Therapy offers a variety of Wellness Programs that both men and women can benefit from)
- Impress upon them that even the smallest of aches, pains or difference in how they feel are worthy of being taken seriously. Even if it’s not a health issue, knowing and keeping in touch with their bodies is very important.
- Make sure their surroundings are safe to prevent falls and/or injuries (LYLPT offers a Live Your Life FALL FREE & Live Your Life IN BALANCE which can help keep them steady on their feet)
- Make sure they follow their physician’s guidelines for screenings and evaluations (including colonoscopy , cardiovascular screening, diabetic screening, and other health screenings that could give them a heads up before there are life-threatening issues)
- As they age it can be beneficial for them to participate in programs such as our Live Your Life DRIVING SAFE program
Those in the MN Twin Cities area have Live Your Life Physical Therapy at your service to help you or the men in your life take that proactive approach that they need in order to live a healthier, better quality of life. We bring physical therapy to you and offer a multitude of programs to help get and keep the men in your life healthy. Whether it’s your father, your son, your uncle, your husband or even yourself we can help you battle the odds by getting up, moving, and staying active. Give us a call about any of our programs to make your life or the life of a man you love better. We want to make a change in these statistics and help men Live Their Life HEALTHIER & SAFER!
Dedicated to Keeping You Healthy & Healing,
Dr. Eva Norman
President & Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Live Physical Therapy, LLC
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Health Statistics 2011. Retrieved from http://205.207.175.93/HDI/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=166