Why Men Should NOT Fear Visiting a Doctor

While it is common for almost all men and women to refrain from going to the hospital for routine checkups, it is known that men seem to follow this pattern more than women. In fact, when men do become hospitalized, it is usually once they have reached a breaking point in their health, such as having a heart attack or other serious problems that may have been avoided if they had proceeded to go to their regular appointments, caught it early, and had it treated.

Why Do Men Do This to Themselves?

One reason may actually be as simple and yet complex as this one word: culture. Culture can steer a man in the direction he believes is the most masculine. If a man believes, based upon what he has been taught from his cultural surroundings, that he would be feminine for going to the hospital, he will most likely opt-out until it is too late and the damage has been settled.

Another reason may actually be because of the fear of the unknown. Many men are under the impression that, if they are 40 years old or older, they will have to take a prostate exam. They may have been misinformed that this exam is a routine physical that is required due to their age. It is not. Familial ties to a history of prostate cancer may cause a man to have to undergo this exam, but it is not required.

When Should You Go Without Any Hesitation?

Usually, depending on your personal health history and background, young men do not need to visit the doctor’s office quite as often. If a man is under the age of about 35 and feel healthy without a terrible familial tie to bad health, should be able to shrug off the annual physical they are dreading to go to anyway. They should be advised to go occasionally, but not annually unless they feel they need to or have been advised to by a professional.

It is actually at the age of 35 or so that men should begin going to their health providers more often than not. Cholesterol tests, blood pressure screenings are rather important during this age and men should be more than willing to ensure they are aware of their body and what may happen if they are not careful. For men that are over 50, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, should also schedule for a colonoscopy to be taken about every 10 years.

Going to Visit Soon? Heed This Advice

• Be sure you have a health care provider that you are sure is the correct one for you. If you are unsure about how to do this, ask people you know for their input. They may be able to advise you toward the right doctor. You can do your own research as well and set an appointment with different ones to ask them specific questions that are relevant to you and your health as well as their qualifications.
• Go to your appointments prepared with what you will need. Family history, your parents’ current health information as well as immediate family, like grandparents and siblings, are all important things that your doctor should know.
• Contact your doctor before the appointment if you have the ability to do so. Discussing the matters that you both wish to discuss during the visit is important to do so that nothing is left out or forgotten between the two of you.
• Remember that you may need to have more than one appointment for just one issue. Doctors want to keep you healthy, so, if something will take longer than the usual time for a visit, they may schedule another one. Be flexible and prepared for this.
• Do not fear the unknown. Instead, try asking. Many men do not go to the hospital because they are unsure what they will be told and ultimately fear the information. If you ask what to expect beforehand and discuss your hesitation with the doctor that you have decided is the right one for your situation, you may feel more inclined to follow through and less fearful of the outcome.