DHEC urges men to take proactive approach to well-being during Men’s Health Week

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — In recognition of men’s health week, local doctors are urging men across the Midlands to take a proactive approach to their overall well-being.

Doctors with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control find that physical and mental health are lacking for many men across the Midlands.

According to data, over 41% of men 20 years and older are considered obese, and only around 28% of men get enough exercise.

DHEC’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brannon Traxler, says making better choices with food and exercise, and keeping that annual check up can go a long way to a healthier life.

“Make sure you have a primary care medical provider. Make sure you’re getting a check up once a year. Even in adulthood it doesn’t end when you’re a kid. Do that every year,” she says.

Being proactive is crucial, with physicians recommending that men 55 and older are screened for prostate cancer, and men 45 and older are screened for colorectal cancer.

Knowing your genetic and family history — even if you’re getting adequate physical activity is important as well.

“You may really need to adapt your diet. If you have a strong family history of heart disease, it’s more important than ever for you to eat a low cholesterol healthy diet, manage your blood pressure, and really stay active. Being out, and that’s true for all adult men, I think a lot of men will say I’m very active, I’m on the go, I don’t need to worry about my health and that’s not the case,” she says.

When it comes to mental health, Dr. Traxler says always talk about how you’re feeling with a loved one or a professional, saying, “Talk about how you’re feeling. If you’re not feeling well, if you’re feeling depressed, if you’re feeling really worried or really anxious, talk to someone, because that can then have impacts on your physical health as well as of course the symptoms which are not fun. And we want to make sure everyone’s well being, that emotional, mental, and physical health is really as good as it can be.”

Because, Dr. Traxler says,  mental health can have a big impact on your physical health.

“I want to emphasize that things like depression and anxiety, there has been more of a stigma for men, often, to talk about them. And I think it’s a stigma that we as providers have had at times in terms of even wanting to ask men about mental health. I think we’re a lot better at asking women. And so to the men out there, it’s perfectly okay to not be okay. But we want to help you,” she says.