Celebrate National Men’s Health Month

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Father and son stretching their legs during an outdoor exercise.

Click through the slideshow below to learn important topics men should have awareness of in each decade of their lives.

SouthCoast Health Celebrates National Men’s Health Month. Learn some tips and body changes men should discuss with their healthcare providers for each decade of their lives.

Men in their 20s: Despite the fact that you many feel generally healthy during this decade, preventative services are still necessary. Be sure to see your doctor annually and get your blood work checked. Your diet in this decade can very much have an impact on your health later on in life. Men in their 20s should eat balanced meals and limit foods that are processed and high in sugar. Practice strength training activities for at least 30 minutes a day. Also doing about two hours of cardio a week will reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Men in their 30s: Maintain a health weight, which is important at any age. However, there is a trend of an increase on the scale due to your metabolism beginning to slow down in your early 30s. Be aware that there is an increase in depression. According to NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness), the median age of onset depression is 32, due to the pressures of home and on the job. In this decade your muscles and their connective tissues tend to shorten resulting in reduced flexibility. Participating in yoga improves flexibility while simultaneously lowering your blood pressure and slowing your heart rate.

Schedule a colonoscopy screening around your 45th birthday. Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. Your body does see an increase in blood sugar and blood pressure in your 40s. Work with your healthcare provider on prevention and treatment of these conditions with diet, exercise, and medication. According to the American Cancer Society, it is recommended that you schedule a prostate exam by age 45. Men with one or more relative who were diagnosed at age 65 or earlier are at a higher risk. It is recommended that you get your eyes comprehensively screened in this decade. Even if your vision is fairly strong, getting screened for asymptomatic issues as well as macular degeneration is important in preserving your vision for your later years.

Men in their 50s: Men in their 50s are at an increased risk for mouth and gum disease. In this decade, you are on the prime of developing 'adult onset' diabetes that statistically jumps out at ages 40 - 60 due to an increase in blood sugar and blood pressure. Work with your healthcare provider on prevention & treatment of these conditions with diet, exercises, and medications. It plays an important role in colorectal cancer prevention. More than 90% of colorectal cancer cases occur after age 50. At this age you should put more focus on the food you’re eating rather than taking supplements. Studies have shown that multivitamins don’t have a huge impact on preventing heart disease or expanding the overall health and life span of humans. Following a diet that supplies you with nutrients should be a top priority for men in their 50s.

Men in their 60s: In this decade, your immune system will not be as active as it previously was. It is likely that you will become more susceptible to getting sick. Ways to make up for your newly weakened immune system is to stay active, eat healthy, and steer clear of others who appear to be ill. Stay engaged and sharp. Exercising your mind is important in your 60s as we see an increase in retirement from professional careers during this age range. Try new hobbies and learn new skillsets. Strength training in your 60s will prevent muscles from wasting away and protect you from falls and accidents.

Men in their 70s: Set up a fall-proof home. While some accidents are unavoidable, identifying steps, cords, rugs, or furniture of concern around the house that can cause an injury from a fall. As a man’s bones become more fragile in his older age, injuries from broken or sprained bones take longer to heal. Get your hearing tested and be aware that more than half of 70-somethings experience hearing loss. If needed, investing in hearing aids will improve your hearing quality and cognitive skills. Men in their 70s should start thinking about who will make healthcare decisions in they are not able to. Family members, friends, trusted healthcare providers or clergy of your religious organizations are good candidates to consider.

Men in their 80s: Do not neglect your health screenings, personal hygiene, and adequate nutrition. You may require assistance from others to accomplish these things now, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Keeping up with these daily routines will help continue your longevity. Know the difference between normal “old-age memory issues” versus conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s. These conditions are very serious and those who suffer from them need to have a care plan in place. Invest in mobility equipment such as canes, walkers, and handrails in your home if you need assistance to move around. Regardless of your current pace, getting your body to move is very important.

Men in their 90s: As the average human life expectancy continues to rise, it is important that you continue to exercise your mind and your body as much as possible to keep you going. Make sure that you live in a safe place and have adequate caregivers in your life to assist you with day-to-day activities, appointments, and financial decisions. Share your wisdom. You have lived through so many moments in history and experienced quality time with people across a wide span of generations from the past and the present. There is so much the younger generations can learn from you!

SouthCoast Health wants all of our patients to achieve Total Wellness for Life through yearly check-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and using all of our resources if questions or concerns about their health come up. With Men's Health Month in June, these choices are even more important for the men who trust SouthCoast with their health.

In honor of these important men's health awareness celebrations, SouthCoast Health is sharing tips and body changes men should discuss with their health care providers for each decade of their lives, similar to our Women's Health Week celebration in May. While no two men are exactly the same, it’s important to be aware of how the body changes for each stage of a man’s life.

Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Founded in 1996, SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 17 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Sleep Medicine, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.

Celebrate National Men’s Health Month

Archive

Total Wellness
Starts Right Here

Celebrate National Men’s Health Month

Archive

Total WellnessStarts Right Here

Total Wellness
Starts Right Here