Three Reasons Why Men Should See a Primary Care Provider

Guys, we know how you’ve been told to handle your health concerns since you were a kid on the ball field. Hurt? Rub some dirt on it. Not bleeding or losing a limb? Then there’s no need to go to the doctor—unless your wife or girlfriend makes the appointment for you.

We need to change these antiquated attitudes towards men’s health. It’s 2019. Your health is important to you and everybody that you love, and a primary care visit can help you maintain your well-being. What better way to celebrate Men’s Health Month in June than by scheduling an appointment with a primary care provider?

Here are three important things you can gain by visiting with your primary care provider:

• Build a rapport with your provider. There are great resources on the Internet. But you can’t trust everything you read. It’s important to build a trusting relationship with a primary care doctor. He or she can help you sift through all the information out there and help you figure out what exactly you should be monitoring as you age. Getting direct answers to your questions can help put your mind at ease. A strong relationship with your doctor will make it easier to schedule follow-up appointments and get those on the calendar.
   
• Learn more about your blood pressure. If you don’t have your blood pressure in check, it can potentially lead to a major health event. The only way to truly know if you having issues with your blood pressure is to get it tested. High blood pressure is deemed the “silent killer” and low blood pressure can cause health issues too. If you don’t have a primary care doctor yet, visit your nearest pharmacy, which probably has a machine that can do a preliminary check. Worried about the results? A proper diagnosis from a doctor can get you on a path to better health.
   
• Determine when you need a life-saving colonoscopy. We know this is an uncomfortable topic for men, but colon cancer is a very treatable disease. It must be caught early, however. If you have a family history of the disease, you need to be tested once every five years instead of once every 10. If a parent or grandparent had the disease, then you need to be tested earlier than most. For example, if your dad had colon cancer and had early stages at age 52, then you need to be tested at age 42. Early detection can’t happen by searching the Internet, so get over your fears and make sure you get checked out.

Dr. Nalband is a primary care provider at South Shore Medical Center. If you’d like to register yourself or a family member as a new patient, please fill out our request a call form.