Your body is constantly changing. Some of the processes that occurred flawlessly when you were 18 may not work the same way when you’re 58. Taking care of the body you’re in today and taking a proactive approach to health care is the ideal way to stay healthy at any age.
Get Health Screenings Regularly
Many men choose to skip the doctor unless they are having a medical problem that requires care. Preventative health is just as important as care for a medical condition. With regular health screenings, your physician can detect problems early and work with you to reduce the impact of certain conditions to your overall health – leading to a longer, healthier life. Health screenings you should schedule with your physician include:
- Prostate screening
- Diabetes testing
- Blood pressure screening
- Bone density screening
- Colon screening
- Cholesterol testing
In addition to these tests there are others that your doctor may feel necessary to maintain optimal health as you age.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Sometimes it’s the pleasures of life that get us into the biggest trouble. Being overweight or obese is one of the main contributing factors for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, also referred to as adult-onset diabetes is a life-threatening condition if not detected and treated properly. Losing as little as 10-percent of your body weight when you’re overweight or obese is enough to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, but men can do more than that. Maintaining a healthy weight drastically reducing your chances of developing diabetes, so eat right and exercise as often as medically possible.
Medications – Preventative and Therapeutic
If you have developed a medical condition and your doctor has prescribed medication to treat that condition, you should always take the medication as prescribed until your physician changes your health treatment plan. However, taking your medications is not the only means of improving overall health.
Adult immunizations like flu shots, pneumonia shots and other preventative treatments are available for aging and elderly men. While the young immune system can fight off these conditions most of the time, our immune system is not as strong as we age, and a simple fight with the flu or bout of pneumonia can be life-threatening.
Men, both young and old, should take care of their bodies with regular health check-ups, healthy diet and regular exercise. If you take care of the body you’re in – you’ll be more apt to live a longer, healthier life for many years to come.