Understanding the Basics About Men’s Health in Naperville
Author: Dr. Claire Leegard
As a wife, mother, Doctor of Nursing Practices (DNP), and owner of Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville, I am fully committed to my family’s and clients’ health and wellness.
Being a wife and mother of three adult children – a daughter and two sons – I have consistently done my best to provide my family with proper direction concerning their health and wellness, and I have encouraged them to exercise routinely, practice self-care, and regularly visit their primary care providers for check-ups to monitor their physical, mental, and emotional health.
June is Men’s Health Month, and I know how important it is to keep my husband, my boys, and the male clients at Home Helpers on the right track by giving them the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.
The Men’s Health Network says on average, women live five years longer than men. What’s more, “In Illinois, among women married to men the same age as themselves, over 16% will be widows as they enter retirement (ages 65-69).”
I don’t know about you, but I find these statistics troubling. As a devoted wife and proud boy-mom, I want to make sure that all the men in my life – personally and professionally – stay foresighted and proactive about maintaining their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Men’s Health Chicago, with locations in Naperville and Schaumburg, shared basic information about men’s health that I found palatable and relatable, so we all understand more.
Common Issues Affecting Men’s Health
“When it comes to the top 15 leading causes of death, men outpace women in all of them except Alzheimer’s disease, making consistent and regular monitoring of your health vital,” says Men’s Health Chicago.
The common issues that men should have checked regularly include:
- Cardiovascular disease (Cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries is common)
- Prostate cancer (1 in 6 men develop prostate cancer of some kind, which, when detected early, is highly treatable)
- Diabetes (Type 2 diabetes due to weight issues is a common problem among men)
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) (Erectile problems are common and sometimes require medical intervention. ED can also signal heart disease).
- Depression (“Men often internalize and ignore symptoms of depression without seeking treatment. Sometimes depressed mood is transient and will go away by itself, but many times there is an underlying hormonal issue that requires treatment. A trained medical professional can help you determine whether or not treatment or medication is necessary. Each individual is unique and there is NO one-size-fits-all treatment…which is why it is so important to be monitored and have individualized care.”)
Men’s Wellness Exams
“The first order of business with any exam, whether you’re male or female, is to track your vitals and measurements.” These include:
- Height
- Weight
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Medical history
If there are any indications of potential health issues, lab work, tests, and screenings may be ordered by your doctor to ensure early detection and treatment for more successful outcomes.
Preventive Care Practices for Men
“The doctors at Men’s Health Chicago believe that good overall health is achieved through preventive care.” Preventive care includes:
- Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and drinking
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Nutrition
“While health issues still arise, practicing solid preventive care goes a long way toward maintaining your optimal health and avoiding potentially devastating problems down the road.”
I gladly offer FREE Assessments for senior men (and women), and carefully match compassionate caregivers who can make life easier by providing transportation assistance to/from doctor appointments and diagnostic tests, as well as in-home care services that are tailored to help seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle and remain independent at home for as long as possible.
Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.
Our team is honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice, and the Employer of Choice Awards 2024, as well as the 2024 Caring Super Star Award from Caring.com. Contact our award-winning team today if we can help make life easier for you or a senior you love: 630.800.3837
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