Getting an annual physical is something women are used to
doing, for themselves or for their kids. Whether it is scheduling a well-child
visit or their own annual physical, most women see it as a regular part of
their healthcare routine.
On the other hand, men don’t always see a reason to get an
annual physical other than to have a checkup to
see how things are going. But
for many of the same reasons why women get one, men need to get one too. It’s
about prevention and screening for various health risks such as hypertension or
high blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and specifically for men, prostate
health. Many health conditions can be prevented or detected early during a
regular checkup.
As we age, annual physicals for men and women become even
more important. Some of the screenings don’t enter the health picture until we
turn a certain age or if we have a family history. Colonoscopies are just one
example.
It’s also important to have annual checkups with the same
healthcare provider so that they can get a long view of your health over
several years. Think of it as setting a baseline. Each checkup and test result
can be compared or contrasted to previous years’ results. And, if something is
detected, you have an established relationship with a healthcare provider.
These days, we call that ‘having a medical home.’ For some of us, we’ve had a
physician or clinic we’ve visited and relied on for years. Others are just now
gaining health insurance coverage and are developing a relationship with a
medical home.
If you are a man, put “get an annual physical” on your list
of things to do. If doing this for yourself doesn’t motivate you, think of
those people in your life who rely on you – family, friends, co-workers – who
need you to be healthy and well as best as you can be. Do it for them. The
women in your life make it a point to do this on an annual basis and it is rarely
on anyone’s list of fun things to do. But the women in your life do it because
they recognize how important it is for themselves and to the people who love
and rely on them, too.
If you are a woman, please encourage the men in your life to
get an annual physical. Did you know that women make up to 80 percent of the
healthcare decisions for their families? Women schedule doctor’s appointments
for their family members and take them to the appointment. Women have a great
deal of influence over these decisions for their family. If you have a man in
your life who needs to have a checkup, offer any assistance you can to make it
happen.
Who’s ready to man up and make an appointment for an annual
physical?
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