How to keep dad healthy for as long as possible with healthy living and health screenings | Novant Health

Ask any family doctor and they'll agree that men are less likely to get annual check-ups than women.

Rand Pennington, a family nurse practitioner with Novant Health New Hanover Primary Care Wilmington, said it's common for men, especially middle-aged men, to only see a medical professional after they've had a scare, such as a heart attack or sexual health issues.

“Mid-aged men often begin to change their medical care when a life event occurs that changes their priorities, such as the birth of a child,” Pennington says. “Men tend to come to the doctor at the recommendation of their partner or loved one, whereas women tend to seek out medical care on their own.”

Putting off tests and annual screenings means the condition goes undiagnosed — and untreated — and warning signs of what Pennington calls a “ticking time bomb” are missed.

What diseases are associated with a higher mortality risk in men?

• lung cancer: Leading causes of cancer deaths in men and woman.
• Liver disease: Includes cirrhosis of the liver and may lead to liver cancer.
• colon and rectal cancer.
• Death by suicideBetween 2001 and 2021, the death rate for men was more than three times higher than that for women.

I'm a father in my 40s. What should I pay the most attention to regarding my health?

Make sure your preventative care needs are being met. The problem is, a lot of what gets found in midlife doesn't necessarily show up as a disease. It gets found through screening. Men often say, “You were fine before you got here.” I always tell them, “No, you were a time bomb before you got here.”

What are some of the symptoms that threaten many middle-aged men?

Undiagnosed High blood pressure, Prediabetes Elevated cholesterol levels are very common in middle-aged adults, especially men. We know that age and risk are related. So, unfortunately, as we get older, our risk of heart attack continues to increase. And we find that out in our midlife health checks. We know that colon cancer rates are also increasing, so we start testing both men and women at age 45, and even earlier for those who are at high risk.

Is there no way to know if I have the disease unless I get tested?

Correct. Most people with prediabetes have no symptoms. But with adult-onset diabetes (type 2 diabetes), patients come into the doctor complaining of increased thirst, hunger, and needing to urinate more frequently and feeling unwell. And most patients have had prediabetes for decades before they even realize they have it.

And is there a way to address that at that point?

Lifestyle changes cannot be overemphasized. Talk to your doctor about your diet, exercise and lifestyle. For those with prediabetes, some medications may be recommended to slow the onset of diabetes, as it is reversible.

What's the best way to encourage fathers of all ages to make annual doctor visits and change bad lifestyle habits?

I don't think anyone can convince someone to make a change; it's something people have to do for themselves. I have this conversation often with people who have diabetes. The first thing I ask is, “What is important to you at this point in your life?” Many people understand that diabetes can affect their long-term health, but not many are willing to make big lifestyle changes.

I always tell my patients with diabetes that they die from heart disease, but the number of undiagnosed cases of prediabetes is unknown, which is why the CDC is working to prevent the onset of diabetes. Approximately 98 million Americans – More than one in three people – Have prediabetesAnd over 80% of people with the disease don't know they have it.

I'm interested to see how that conversation unfolds with patients. I know I have to be upfront, but is it a difficult conversation to have?

It's difficult, but I also think the approach matters. There's a big push in the medical world right now to ask if it's OK to talk to someone about sensitive topics. obesity And before you talk about sexual health, think it through first, and if it's not acceptable from someone's point of view, maybe reconsider it in a different way.

I think you have to look at each patient's situation and see what you can do from there. You look at it through the lens of what's important to each individual and then tailor a treatment plan that's right for them. Your dad might say, “I love red meat and I'm not going to quit smoking.” My job as a primary care physician is to help my patients understand what their risks are and that there are resources available to help them.

We are dealing with difficult issues, but patients are in charge of their own health.