June is Men’s Health Month. State health officials say many conditions that disproportionately affect men can be avoided with healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical care.
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the leading cause of death nationwide and affects men especially. Between 70 and 89 percent of sudden cardiac events occur in men.
Additionally some health conditions like prostate cancer and diabetes either linger for years without symptoms or are easily confused with other conditions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night for optimal health, quitting smoking and getting plenty of exercise, eating healthy and limiting foods and drinks that are high in calories, sugar, salt, fat and alcohol
Additionally stress can be harmful to one’s health, especially when it is severe enough to make one feel overwhelmed.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams says having regular checkups with a doctor or nurse is key to identifying issues early or before they become problematic.
Find more information online at www.menshealthmonth.org or www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.
