Safety First: Men should prioritize doctor visits, healthy lifestyle, doctor explains
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Safety First: Men should prioritize doctor visits, healthy lifestyle, doctor explains
June is Men’s Health Month in the United States. It is a time to raise awareness about preventable health problems in men.WBTV spoke to Dr. Ryan Stempniak about the importance of men living a healthy lifestyle. He recommended that men try to eat a healthy diet. He said it is best to increase protein, decrease carbohydrates and avoid sugary substances. He also suggested that men who are nervous about visiting a doctor could bring a friend or family member with them to an appointment. The doctor said men should get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.
WBTV spoke to Dr. Ryan Stempniak — a primary care physician with Novant Health Southern Piedmont Primary Care Wesley Chapel — about the importance of men living a healthy lifestyle.
Stempniak said he’s had patients who are reluctant to talk to a doctor.
“I think a lot of men are still a little bit afraid of the unknown, so they’re fearful to be able to go to the doctor, to see if there’s something going on with them. They’re worried about different questions they may ask potentially,” Stempniak said.
He said those routine visits to the doctor are important because a simple physical allows a doctor to make sure a patient is healthy. Routine checkups also provide an opportunity for doctors to screen for diseases.
“Heart disease is kind of the main thing,” Stempniak said. “Heart disease is something we look for in just a general physical. We ask about your family history. We check cholesterol levels, check your blood pressure.”
The doctor noted that physicals are also great for cancer screenings.
“For prostate cancer, checking PSA levels, also for colon cancer, also if anyone has a history of smoking, we do want to make sure that you’re checked for potential lung cancer,” Stempniak said.
He explained that it is crucial to screen for diseases so they can be caught early.
“A lot of these things that happen like cancer, heart disease, different types of injuries, dementia, all these things that men may fear can be prevented by just talking with a doctor and getting ahead of it ahead of time,” Stempniak said.
He recommended that men try to eat a healthy diet. He said it is best to increase protein, decrease carbohydrates and avoid sugary substances.
The doctor also stressed the importance of getting enough sleep at night. He said men should get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.
He said he also encourages men to stay active and stretch before exercising.
“Get up and walk around if you have a phone call you need to take. Walk around outdoors, a walking pad, those sort of things can be helpful,” Stempniak said.
Stempniak also suggested that men who are nervous about visiting a doctor could bring a friend or family member with them to an appointment.
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