Most men tend to avoid appointments with the doctor, making them a target for most health conditions. Your family medicine physician assistant San Antonio option can help you monitor your health, including your blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar levels. You can get recommendations on what lifestyle changes you can employ to maintain a healthy life. There are different services your physician can recommend during your men-wellness visit. Here are a few recommendations your family doctor may give to help you enjoy a healthy life.
Eating Natural Foods
Living a healthy life as a man may mean limiting the amount of packaged and processed foods you consume. The foods usually contain unhealthy fats, calories, salt, and artificial additives that may lead to health conditions. A healthy diet may include fresh vegetables and fruits, whole-grain products, foods rich in fiber, fish, and lean cuts of red meat.
Checking for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer may be the next leading cancer after skin cancer among men. The early signs of prostate cancer can include pain during urination, blood in the urine, and trouble urinating. Your family medicine doctor can recommend regular appointments to get blood tests to check for any prostate cancer signs.
Blood Sugar Tests
The tests aim to check for any signs showing the development of diabetes in your blood sugar levels. High glucose levels increase the risk of cardiac diseases and may lead to kidney and nerve damage. Your doctor can recommend exercise and diet as management options for diabetes. You may also require medications and insulin if lifestyle changes do not work.
Colonoscopy
You are likely to develop colon cancer when you are over 50. Your family’s practicing doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer every three to ten years. Your risk factors for colon cancer may include inflammatory bowel disease, eating foods high in animal fat, and a family history of colon cancer.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram lowers your risk of heart-related conditions, especially if you have a family history of cardiac conditions. High cholesterol levels may lead to heart attacks and stroke. Therefore you should go for regular echo tests to lower the chances of such diseases. The test will ensure you have no heart damage.
Quitting Unhealthy Habits
Habits like smoking can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Smoking substances may also cause pulmonary diseases and heart conditions, thus increasing your risk of cancer. You may also be engaging in excessive consumption of alcohol and drug use, and all of these can lead to health hazards. Your family medicine doctor may recommend stopping these lifestyle habits. You will require medications, therapy, and other treatment options to help you quit successfully.
Protecting the Skin
Men who are above 50 years have a risk of developing melanoma. Your doctor may practice treatment options to lower your risk of skin cancer.
You can schedule your men’s wellness visit today at South Texas Family Medicine and Urgent Care if you want to remain on top of your health. The doctors will schedule regular screenings and checkups to get your blood work and test for potential health issues. You will get preventive measures that will help you live healthily. Visit the website to book your online slot.