The Health Checks Men Should Not Skip

There’s a big difference between feeling fine and actually being fine, and a lot of health issues start pretty small and build slowly, and because they build slowly, they’re easy to ignore. You adjust to how you’re feeling and get used to it all, whatever it is, and assume that’s just life. And of course, if things get worse, you’ll definitely see a doctor - you promise. 

But a few days turns into weeks and months and maybe years, and you’ve still not seen a doctor. Don’t worry - it’s not like you’re the only one. Although, it’s not the ideal thing to do. 

The truth is that most of the important health checks for men really aren’t complicated, painful, or extreme; they’re just routine, and, the best part is, they’re preventative, so it’s wise to get them booked in sooner rather than later. Here are some important ones to think about. 

Blood Pressure And Heart Health 

High blood pressure is one of the most common problems men face, and it doesn’t usually come with many obvious warning signs - you can basically go about your life quite normally being completely unaware that anything’s wrong. 

If you get regular blood pressure checks, which are quick and straightforward, you’ll get some really useful information, and it could be that you have a problem that you can get help for, rather than just assuming all is well. And the same goes for cholesterol checks come to that; high cholesterol doesn’t always make you feel unwell, but it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke over time. 

Blood Sugar And Metabolic Health 

Blood sugar levels are another area that can change gradually, and things like type 2 diabetes can develop very slowly but cause a lot of damage once it’s fully arrived. 

Routine blood tests can identify rising blood sugar levels way before symptoms become noticeable, and catching that early gives you a lot more options, and you can make lifestyle changes before medication becomes necessary, which is always the preferred route to take. 

If you’ve noticed things like weight gain around the middle, ongoing fatigue, and low motivation, that could be just the signs of getting older, but equally it could be a blood sugar issue, so it’s best to get it checked out. 

Hormone Levels 

Hormones change as men get older, and the fact is (as much as many men want to ignore it), your testosterone levels just naturally decline as the years go by. That in itself isn’t actually a problem, it’s normal and everyone goes through it, but for some men the levels fall quickly and significantly, and then there will be symptoms to deal with. 

Low testosterone affects energy, sleep quality, mood, muscle mass, focus, and libido, and it’s easy to dismiss these things and put them down to stress or ageing, but when symptoms are persistent, it’s wise to have some tests done, just to see what’s what. 

The good news is that if blood tests confirm you’ve got clinically low levels, medical professionals can help, and they’ll discuss options like testosterone replacement therapy. It might not be a quick fix, but when it’s used properly and under supervision, it can really help. 

Prostate Health 

Prostate health is something that gets more and more important with age, and you might notice changes in urination patterns, discomfort, or perhaps there’s a family history of prostate issues - these are all great reasons to speak to your doctor. 

Of course, prostate discussions can feel pretty awkward, which is one reason why they’re often delayed, but the fact is that avoiding the topic doesn’t reduce the risk of it happening to you, and the reality is that early conversations are a lot easier than dealing with advanced problems. 

Liver And Kidney Function 

Routine blood tests are fantastic, and they’ll also assess your liver and kidney function. Remember, these organs are just working away constantly in the background, so you might not notice problems right away, and sometimes when things go wrong, they’re not going to cause any immediate symptoms. 

There are some lifestyle factors to think about, like alcohol intake, medication use, and diet, and they can all affect liver function over time, plus kidney function can also change rapidly. 

Again, these aren’t complicated checks, and they’re part of the standard blood work you can have done, and since they can give you reassurance or early warning of a problem, there’s no reason not to have them done, even if you don’t think there’s a problem. 

Skin Checks And Physical Changes 

Men are statistically less likely to monitor skin changes or report any unusual lumps, but if you’ve got a mole that’s changed shape, colour, or size, it should always be checked. And a lump that wasn’t there before should definitely get checked and can’t be ignored. 

Most findings turn out to be harmless, and if that’s the case, what harm can double checking do? And if there is a problem, it’s going to be much easier to treat when it’s caught early. Regular self-checks only take a couple of minutes and they’re important, so set some time aside every week or month (whatever feels right for you) and you’ll be able to get ahead of things easily. 

Mental Health And Sleep

Mental health is often left out of routine health discussions, but it shouldn’t be. If you’re got ongoing irritability, low mood, sleep disruption, and loss of interest in things that used to feel good and enjoyable, you need to get some advice - you can’t just try to push through things indefinitely. Stress and burnout are very common, especially when you’ve got a lot of responsibilities, but there is help out there, so asking for help is the right thing to do. 

As for sleep, poor sleep can affect blood pressure, hormone balance, mood, and even your metabolic health, and if you’ve realised your sleep quality has changed and it’s not as good as it was, it’s got to be addressed. Talking to a GP or mental health professional isn’t anything to be ashamed of, and it might change things for the better. 

Here are some other articles related to your search:

• How Modern Nursing Is Changing Patient Care for the Better
• A Guide to Home Health Testing
• Calf Muscle Pulling: A Comprehensive Guide About Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention