By Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My husband recently celebrated his 49th birthday. He is generally healthy, and we follow a Mediterranean diet and exercise together several times a week. But he hasn’t been to the doctor in years, as we moved just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you think it’s necessary for him to have an annual health check at this time or wait until his milestone birthday next year?
ANSWER: As men age, even those accustomed to good health may encounter symptoms that affect their quality of life. I am a big proponent of establishing care with a general health specialist and maintaining annual visits to ensure patients can remain as healthy as possible.
Having a well-check visit can help identify your husband’s risk for specific conditions and whether there are screenings or tests that could be valuable to ensure he remains healthy. Also, it would provide the opportunity to discuss any early symptoms or areas of concern that your husband — like many men — might not be comfortable discussing with his spouse.
These are the most common symptoms or issues affecting a man’s health.
Urological symptoms and sexual health
The need to urinate often can signal prostate or bladder problems and/or diabetes. Painful or otherwise difficult urination also should be followed up on.
Erectile dysfunction, which is difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, is treatable and a good reason to have a cardiac screening. It may be an early sign of heart trouble, as typically, if there are issues with blood vessels in one part of the body, there are likely issues elsewhere.
A testicular exam is vital to look for lumps and is a good idea for men who have never had one. As many men may not have had anyone other than their partners look at their sexual organs, ensuring there are no abnormalities is invaluable.
Musculoskeletal health
Exercise can help relieve stress, but if being active is more painful than usual due to…
Read the full article here
