Men's Health Month – See Your Doctor

What’s the single most impactful thing men can do to stay healthy? In honor of Men’s Health Month, we asked Dr. Manoj Pawar, Mutual of Omaha’s Chief Medical Officer.

“In my opinion, the single most impactful action a man of any age can take to positively impact their health is to establish and maintain a relationship with a primary care physician,” Dr. Pawar said. Primary care physicians specialize in family medicine or internal medicine.

“Men are sometimes more hesitant to engage health care providers. A good relationship with a primary care physician can help you stay on top of recommended vaccinations and routine screenings as well identify and manage conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes,” he said.

“In addition, having an established relationship with a physician – someone who knows you and your health – removes a barrier from seeking care when you’re sick or things just don’t seem quite right.”

In addition to Dr. Pawar’s top tip, here are his additional tips for staying healthy:

• Eat a balanced diet – prioritize vegetables, fruits and whole grains

• Exercise regularly – 30 minutes a day is recommended, but even a little is better than none

• Get enough sleep – shoot for 7 to 9 hours a night

• Stay connected – social connections improve physical and mental health

• Skip tobacco and limit alcohol – both have a negative impact

Sources:

1. https://www.hamiltonhealthcenter.com/8-top-mens-health-tips/

2. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/top-tips-for-mens-health.html

3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mens-health

4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/basics/mens-health/hlv-20049438