Physician Insight for Men's Health Month

June is National Men’s Health Month: A time to make sure every loved male in your life is living well. According to menshealthmonth.org, “The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 34.5% of men ages twenty and over are dealing with obesity in the U.S., and 31.6% of men ages eighteen and over had five or more alcoholic drinks in one day at least once in the past year. In light of issues like alcohol dependency and obesity, Men’s Health Month is a great time to bring these issues into the open, so we as a society can better address and support men’s health.

Family medicine physician George Roepke, who serves on staff at Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, says, “Men tend to avoid the doctor and fail to get diagnosed early with heart disease or cholesterol issues.” Adding, “It’s important for men to tackle these issues early, while focusing on weight loss & exercise to avoid developing serious medical problems.” According to CDC, adults – both men and women – need a healthy combination of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e., brisk walking) and muscle-strengthening activity, targeting all major muscle groups. By doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, incorporating two or more days of muscle-strengthening activity, you can put yourself at a lower risk of developing a chronic disease.

Aside from physical health, it’s important to prioritize mental health and maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol. According to CDC, “Men are more likely than women to drink excessively. Excessive drinking can lead to the development of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.” For men, the pressure to provide physically, emotionally and financially creates a certain amount of stress that is better addressed through healthy alternatives to alcohol.

With the overall topic of men’s health in mind, Dr. Roepke provides the following tips on healthy living for men:

• Take time for yourself to relax with enjoyable activities in order to effectively manage stress levels.
• Schedule time to work out and stay active – by hitting the gym or playing a sport – if you are faced with a sedentary lifestyle.
• Be mindful of over consumption of alcohol and what may be trigging it. Talk about your day and daily stressors with family or close friends.
• Eat a balanced diet, consuming more veggies & lean meats and less high fat foods.
• Visit your doctor regularly to ensure you are staying healthy and to monitor any potential health concerns.

To make an appointment with Dr. Roepke at his Chicago office, please call 312.280.0996. To book an appointment online or read more about Presence Health physicians, please visit PresenceHealth.org/findadoc.