Issue Date: May 30, 2004
5 things you can do right now
By Tedd Mitchell, M.D.
I typed in "men's health" on a Google search and came up with more than 3 million listings! Makes simplifying an approach to good health seem daunting, doesn't it? So let me break it down for you into five tips that are guaranteed to improve not just the quality of your life, but also how long you live.
Make the bed, do the dishes -- you might live longer.
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1) Understand the metabolic syndrome. Never heard of it? Don't fret; get checked. Having the metabolic syndrome (also known as Syndrome X) greatly raises your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and also raises your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Check your numbers. A waist greater than 40 inches, triglyceride levels above 150, HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) less than 40, blood pressure greater than 130/85, and fasting blood sugar greater than 100 -- a man with any three of those factors is at high risk and should take action. See your doctor.
2) Kick the butts. About one man in four still smokes cigarettes. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men, and most cases are tobacco-related. Smoking also raises the risk of other lung diseases, as well as heart attack and stroke. The good news is that these risks get better quickly upon giving up cigarettes. The bad news is it's difficult to quit! Various treatment options are available, some over the counter and some prescription. Check with your doctor.
3) Drive friendly. Accidents, including motor vehicle crashes, are the No. 1 cause of death in young men. Speed kills. Drinking and driving kills. Aggressive or distracted driving kills. Pay attention to the road, not that CD or your cellphone.
4) Got a pain? Check it out. We don't like to ask for directions, nor do we like to ask for help with our health. As a result, men see doctors much less often than women do. Certain types of pain, particularly in the chest, back and abdomen, need to be checked out. Although the cause may be as simple as a pulled muscle, more serious ailments can present similarly, so don't ignore a new pain.
5) Help out around the house. This has two benefits. First, it gets you out of the office. Face it: Most of us are more effective at work when we come in refreshed. Second, it re-engages you with your family. Let them know you're part of their life. Helping with household chores and car pools is a great way to reconnect. An added bonus: Research suggests that women are more attracted to husbands when they pitch in around the house. So taking out the trash may help to keep the home fires burning.
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