Men’s and Women’s Health
Staying healthy is an ongoing, lifelong process that is made up of many small, sensible steps. No fancy techniques. No miraculous pills or potions. No magic answers.
For both men and women, there is a core set of steps that are smart to incorporate that can improve or maintain the quality of life and overall health.
Men’s Needs
Regular Health Screenings
- Blood pressure (uncontrolled high blood pressure contributes to heart disease, kidney damage, eye damage, stroke)
- Lipid panel (to track cholesterol and other blood fat levels that can indicate risks for heart attack and stroke)
- Diabetes screening
- Cancer screenings
- PSA blood tests and digital rectal examinations to detect prostate cancer starting at age 40
- Colonoscopies and fecal blood tests starting at age 50 (40 if there are risk factors) to detect colon cancer
Healthy Habits
- Quit smoking and other forms of tobacco use
- Eat a healthy diet low in fat, with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
- Regular exercise
- Consume alcohol in moderation
Women’s Needs
Women face as many, if not more, health risks as men so their need to self-monitor their overall health and well-being is essential to lower risks of developing serious health issues and catching problems early. If you are a woman, pay special attention to:
Regular Health Screenings
- Blood pressure (uncontrolled high blood pressure contributes to heart disease, kidney damage, eye damage, stroke)
- Lipid panel (to track cholesterol and other blood fat levels that can indicate risks for heart attack and stroke)
- Diabetes screening
- Osteoporosis screening (bone density scan)
- Cancer screenings
- Mammograms starting at age 40 to detect breast cancer
- Pap smears to detect cervical cancer
- Colonoscopies and fecal blood tests starting at age 50 (40 if there are risk factors) to detect colon cancer
Healthy Habits
- Quit smoking and other forms of tobacco use
- Eat a healthy diet low in fat, with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains
- Regular exercise
- Consume alcohol in moderation
