– by Dr. Ambrose Marsh, Chief of Staff, Saanich Peninsula Hospital –
Men’s health starts, let’s say at 20, and goes from there. My experience with my three boys and lots of young men in my practice is that health is assumed and not considered until the age of 30 plus. But for argument sakes there are probably three major pearls for young men:
1) Don’t start smoking then you won’t have to quit
2) Don’t (DON’T) drink and drive
3) Wear sun block when you pursue your outdoor activity of choice. Sun burns catch up with us.
For the rest of us 35 and beyond I spoke to some associates and got a few more important ideas.
The first three points listed above STILL pertain! In fact, Dr Patrizia Moccia, a new dermatologist in town reminded me that as we age and develop that bald spot on the top of our head ( not a place we think of putting sunblock) we should think even more about protecting that area that hasn’t seen much sun with a hat (tasteful please).
Dr Bruce Yoneda, a long time friend and the surgeon who is trying to keep my activity full, painless and youthful suggests reading “Younger Next Year” it deals with a fitness program. I haven’t read it yet but Bruce says its focus is on regular Cardio fitness (anaerobic) and light weight training.
On the subject of cardio workouts there is an excellent age related formula. Contact me via Seaside if you want details and I will spell it out. Besides cardio and weight fitness I would add balance and agility training (yoga, pilates etc.) this is my personal addition to this article. When we are young (especially very young) we love to fall, we even laugh when we fall. When we get older we lose agility and confidence and don’t like falling. Falling can mean breaking something and that often is a LIFE CHANGER.
Dr David Miller an Endocrinologist with an expertise in diabetic care adds a very interesting note. Men are anxious about low testosterone. It has become a cottage industry. David tells me the two most common causes of low testosterone are:
1) Being overweight,
2) regular use of narcotics painkillers such as codeine, oxycodone, morphine, dilaudid.
Chronic pain is one of the great challenges of medicine BUT regular use of narcotic painkillers is NOT the answer for many reasons.
Maria, my longstanding and soon retiring Medical Office assistant, adds; just because you have had a TURP (Trans urethral Resection of the Prostate) doesn’t mean you can’t get Prostate Cancer. A TURP does not remove ALL of your prostate tissue! PSA tests are fraught with controversy (for example a ‘normal’ result does not necessarily mean ‘no cancer’). Have a digital exam every 2 – 3 years after 55.
And how about our ageing mind? Dr David Leishman, a geriatric Psychaitrist, adds three points to healthy ageing (men and women actually): Eat well (nutritious and not to excess), stay physically active and maintain an active social life. There is evidence that without significant social contacts, depression and dementia are more likely.
See your doctor regularly (maybe every 3 – 5 years when you are less than 40 and maybe every 1 – 2 years from 50 on) NOT for a complete physical but an appropriate Periodic Health Exam: your weight and lifestyle issues when you are younger AND BP, Prostate and Diabetes check when you get older.
