Men: Make prevention a priority in June

For many people June marks the beginning of summer, but did you know it is also Men's Health Month?

The purpose of Men's Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Ironically, three of the biggest health issues men face within our community can be linked together.

Sleeping Disorders
In a community with lots of industrial workers there are plenty of men with jobs requiring shiftwork. This can actually lead to shiftwork sleep disorders (SWSD), which is when the sleep-wake cycle is disturbed due to an irregular sleep schedule. Studies have shown that sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can also lead to lower testosterone levels and diabetes, which brings us to our next two health issues.

Low Testosterone
Men with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from complications to their sexual function, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, and impotence.

Dr. Attila Barabas of CCMG Urology also informs us, "According to some studies in the last decade, 30-40% of men over the age of 45 can be found to have low levels of testosterone on blood work."

Luckily, appropriately low levels of testosterone can be treated with counseling and replacement therapy injectables and topical treatment. However, as with any treatment there can be benefits and side effects, so please be sure to discuss these with your provider.

Diabetes
Finally, poor sleep quality, such as sleep deprivation and/or apnea can lead to insulin resistance, weight gain, inflammation, higher blood pressure, an impaired immune system, and an inability to handle stressors well. These all increase the risk of an individual becoming diabetic.

Diabetes educator Kim Handley also shares, "It may cost slightly more to spend money on good quality food, but you will spend 50-100 times more money in the health care system if you buy and eat low quality food on a regular basis." She also stresses that getting plenty of sleep, being active, and having healthy relationships with family and friends are all preventative measures.

At Campbell County Health, we support the message and goal of Men's Health Month. That is why we encourage males of all ages to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Plus, it's more convenient than ever to meet with our diabetes educators, urologist, or internal medicine doctors (aka adult doctors) for preventative checkups thanks to the services provided at the CCMG Main Clinic. You can call 307.688.3636 to schedule an appointment, and for sleep related problems you can call Sleep Center at 307.688.2350.

So, this June make sure you, or the men in your life, eat healthy, get moving, schedule a doctor's appointment, and make prevention a priority.