Courtesy of Aspirus
WISCONSIN – Fellas, when is the last time you went to the doctor?
If you’re like a lot of men, you may pay less attention to your own health than to other important matters, like your job, home and family. But you deserve good health – and a good, long life. Isn’t it time you did something about that?
June is all about the guys because it’s Men’s Health Month. This month, take time to encourage the men in your life to take care of their bodies.
“Men on average have shorter lifespans than women,” said Aspirus Health Nurse Practitioner Tiffany Miller. “This is a great opportunity to remind your husband, partner, father, brother or friend to keep themselves in good health.”
To start to prioritize your health, you need a primary care provider. Whether you feel more comfortable with a male or female provider is up to you. One of the best things we can do for our health and happiness is to have a close connection with a primary care provider we know and trust.
“Your primary care provider is the lead person on your health care team, and they are focused on helping you prevent disease and maintain good health,” Miller said. “Their specialty is diagnosing and treating a wide variety of illness. And, when needed, they work collaboratively with other specialists for the best health outcomes.”
A primary care provider can give you regular checkups and help make sure you get the care you need, which may include:
- Health screenings. You may feel fine, and you may be healthy. Or you could have a silent health problem, like high blood pressure, and not even know it. “Your primary care provider can use screening tests to detect some diseases before they cause symptoms, when they’re often easier to control and treat,” Miller said.
- Vaccines. Are you due for a routine vaccination? A shingles shot? Do you get the flu vaccine every year? Did you get vaccinated against COVID-19? Getting recommended vaccines can help you avoid painful or serious diseases.
- Advice for a healthy life. Your primary care provider can help you with goals like eating right, exercising, losing weight and quitting tobacco.
- Cholesterol test. Every four to six years or more frequently men should get their cholesterol checked. This test can show signs of heart disease.
- Cancer screenings. Adult men should plan to get screened for prostate and colon cancer. These screening tests can help find cancer early.
- Staying active. It is recommended that men incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week into their daily schedule.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an Aspirus primary care provider near you, call the Aspirus Customer Contact Center at 800-847-4707.