Why Men are Like Ostriches When it Comes to Their Health

National Men's Health Week: If you ask a brother, father, husband or son the last time they had a check up, you may get a few flailing waves. When it comes to health, men have their heads in the sand. And if you think what you don’t know won’t hurt you, think again.

Leading Causes of Death in Men

Heart Disease 28.4 %
Cancer 24.1%
Unintentional injuries 5.8%
Stroke 5.2%
Chronic lower respiratory diseases 5.1%
Diabetes 2.9%
Influenza and pneumonia 2.4%
Suicide 2.1%
Kidney disease 1.6%
Chronic liver disease 1.5%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Putting prevention into practice by getting certain screening tests, taking medicine if you need it, and practice healthy behaviors such as eating a well-balanced meal, not smoking, and exercising regularly, along with regular medical checkups, can greatly increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

Here are some screening tests for the favorite man in your life:

• Cholesterol—at least every 5 years, starting at age 35
• Blood Pressure—at least every 2 years
• Colorectal Cancer—starting at age 50
• Diabetes Screening—especially if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Depression—if you have ever experienced sadness, hopelessness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 weeks straight or more
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases—everyone who is sexually active
• Prostate Cancer Screening—prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE) based on your doctor’s recommendation, usually once a year after age 50