It’s true that life these days is busier, with more obligations and more unhealthy distractions than ever before. For men’s health month, spare a little time in your schedule and knock out some self-care you might have been putting off. “Even men who are physically fit need an extra push to stay on top of the exams that indicate their overall wellness,” says Florida Hospital Medical Group’s Zamip Patel, MD, a board-certified urologist.

Let’s look at a few basic screenings your primary care physician can perform in one appointment.

By the Numbers

An annual physical is essential to monitor your three most vital statistics: cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. A complete cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood to determine your risk of building up artery-blocking plaque. Blocked arteries can result in heart attacks and strokes. Meanwhile, blood sugar that is persistently higher than normal can lead to Type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor for heart disease. And finally, about 75 million Americans have high blood pressure, and only half of them have it under control. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke and can damage just about every other organ in your body as well.

Treatable, Beatable

Prostate cancer is the second-most common type of cancer found in American men, right behind skin cancer. Each year, more than 230,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with this mostly preventable, treatable cancer. The prostate is a gland below the man’s bladder that produces the fluid that carries sperm. “While prostate cancer is rare among men younger than 40, it is much more common in older men,” Dr. Patel says. “When caught early, however, this cancer is beatable, which is why regular physical exams and lab work that look for warning signs of prostate cancer are imperative for men over 50.”

Symptoms and Signs of Prostate Cancer

We push screening for prostate cancer because, often, by the time there are symptoms, it might be too late. Men can have urinary symptoms from a variety of conditions or medical problems (always consult your physician for a diagnosis):

• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Urinating often (especially at night)
• Difficulty urinating or holding back urine
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Nagging pain in the back, hips or pelvis
• Painful ejaculation

About Dr. Patel

Dr. Zamip Patel is an experienced urologist with fellowship training in andrology, which is the study of the male reproductive system, including male infertility. He sees patients in East Orlando and Oviedo and performs both inpatient and outpatient procedures at Florida Hospital East Orlando. To make an appointment, call (407) 303-6865 or visit FHMedicalGroup.com.