Men need to have a good doctor in their corner, too

<p>We might hear women talking about health problems more often than men do, but the fact is: Men suffer more from chronic disease and have a shorter life span than women.</p><p>Why is this? Some of it is genetic, some is due to lifestyle choices, and some is because men are poor patients. And when it comes to being a poor patient, the macho-ostrich mentality appears to be the biggest culprit.</p><p>M any m en tend to hide their heads in the sand and ignore symptoms for as long as possible. And when they can no longer ignore a problem, many become stoic and try to handle it alone instead of getting medical care.</p><p>Self-reliance does have an important place when it comes to preventive care. You can (and should) take care of yourself by:</p><p>Avoiding all forms of tobacco</p><p>Eating healthfully</p><p>Exercising regularly</p><p>Maintaining a healthy weight</p><p>Managing stress levels</p><p>Wearing seat belts, bike helmets and other protective sports gear</p><p>Protecting your skin from harmful sun exposure</p><p>Protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases</p><p>Listening to your body</p><p>I'd like to give men five good reasons to be smarter than an ostrich when it comes to health care.</p><p>Symptoms and o ther problems -- Listening to your body is the first reason you need a good doctor who knows you. If you listen to your body but don't understand what it is telling you, you can't do anything about it. Having a doctor already in your corner makes it more likely that you will share confusing symptoms and get answers that empower you.</p><p>Heart disease -- 28 percent of men's deaths are due to heart disease. You can decrease your chances of fatal cardiovascular disease by visiting a doctor regularly for blood pressure checks, body mass index, or BMI, calculations and cholesterol screenings.</p><p>Hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol may not cause any obvious symptoms for years, but the damage they do to your body starts as early as childhood.</p><p>Cancer -- 24 percent of men's deaths are due to cancer. Testicular cancer is a young man's disease and can be treated if discovered early. Have your doctor teach you how to perform a self-examination, and when you are in your 30s, a testicular exam by a skilled practitioner should be part of your regular physical. Later, when you are in your 50s, you should be screened for prostate and colon cancer. These exams are dreaded, avoided and refused by many men who then go on to die unnecessarily. Be courageous and get checked for cancer; you are more likely to be brave if you already have a trusted doctor in your corner.</p><p>Health maintenance -- If you have a regular doctor, maintaining health is simple. Tetanus boosters, flu shots and pneumonia vaccines are offered at the appropriate times. Regular vision screening keeps your eyes healthy, decreasing the risk of permanent vision loss. Know that men are not exempt from chronic diseases like osteoporosis, obstructive lung disease and depression. Periodically check in for a physical and let your doctor help you maintain good health.</p><p>Aging well -- As you get older, your health needs change. If you have ever smoked cigarettes, you should get an abdominal ultrasound when you are about 65 to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Some screening tests are less important when you are older, but a good doctor can help you stay independent and mobile. And when a crisis occurs, men who are already established with a primary care doctor have an easier time getting comprehensive care.</p><p>Family doctors have a saying: Men in their 20s should see a doctor for a physical exam twice, in their 30s three times, in their 40s four times, and after 50, every other year.</p><p>Be smart. If you establish a partnership with a doctor you trust and allow yourself to receive care periodically, you can maintain control of your health and well-being long into your golden years.</p><p>Longtime Sonoma County family physician Dr. Stacey Kerr, a graduate of UC Davis Medical School, is certified in her specialty by the American Board of Family Medicine. Her columns are not intended as a substitute for hands-on medical advice or treatment. Consult your health care provider before adhering to any recommendations in this column. E-mail comments to </p><p>drkerr@the-doctors-inn.com.</p>