If you are a man in your early fifties, when was the last time that you went to a doctor for a routine checkup? You may feel as if you are in rude health and have nothing to worry about, but some statistics suggest that men of a certain age are more vulnerable to some diseases that could cause significant problems, often without warning. Consequently, you should engage two specific checks so that you know where you are and can sleep better at night.
Colonoscopy
You may not be particularly enthusiastic at the thought of a colonoscopy. You may think that it is intrusive and would rather not go through this procedure, but it may nevertheless help to save your life as you get older. If you have a colonoscopy each year to screen for the presence of polyps, then your medical support team may be able to take action that can arrest the spread of cancer. You should know whether you are at average or increased risk based on hereditary and other factors and should at least consult with your doctor for their recommendation. If you know that a close family member had issues in this area, then you should certainly make an effort to investigate your risk.
Cholesterol
Separately, what does your diet look like? Are you still eating more red meat than you believe you should, or eating junk food several times a week? Do you have a family history of cardiac events and if so, why aren't you getting your cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis?
Know Your Levels
As you may know, cholesterol is measured by comparing "good" and "bad" levels to determine risk. If you are over 50 and your low-density lipoprotein or LDL component is too high, then doctors may recommend that you start taking a statin drug regularly. If you do so, this can have a big difference in reducing your risk of a heart attack and stroke versus somebody who is not involved in the program.
Over to You
Certainly, you should lead an active lifestyle and watch your diet, but you should also make sure that you have peace of mind. Kickstart this process by visiting your doctor as soon as possible to discuss where you are and what you should do. They may be able to recommend additional tests or procedures following a comprehensive analysis of your blood.
For more information, contact your GP.
Share5 September 2018
Yo! Welcome to my blog. The most important thing you have in life is your health. You can have a big car and a nice house and a great career but without your health, all of this is worth nothing at all. I didn't realise this until my dad became unwell and a man who seemed like a giant among the men of this world was suddenly stuck in a hospital bed. I nursed my dad and supported him throughout his recovery. During this time, I learnt a lot about the health and medical world. I hope you like this blog.