Men’s Health Matters

Men’s Health Matters: Since joining the Narrative Matters team, I have truly enjoyed writing and sharing insights about health and biotechnology. However, a concerning reality persists: for men, and specifically Black men, life expectancy remains significantly shorter than for women. Consequently, we must pay closer attention to key health indicators early in life and continue tracking them diligently. In addition to maintaining a proper diet and nutrition, regular medical visits are highly recommended.

Last year, I delineated several key health points to keep in mind, which are vital for longevity and well-being.

The Importance of Primary Care and Mental Wellness

First and foremost, consistent access to a primary physician is essential. Regular visits allow for crucial monitoring, including hearing and blood pressure checks. According to Jones (June 27, 2022), “men are nearly three times more likely to develop hearing loss than women.” Therefore, early detection is key.

Furthermore, mental health is just as important as physical health. Access to a primary physician or a counselor for routine mental health checkups is vital. Specifically, we must strive to understand the suicidal thoughts and behaviors of those around us to provide better support and intervention.

Skin Care and Dental Health

Another often overlooked area is dermatology awareness. We must remain vigilant regarding skin sores that won’t heal and unexplained rashes. Additionally, being aware of sun damage is critical. As noted by Jones (June 26, 2022), the sun that people over 50 were exposed to 40 years ago is not the same as today. Moreover, people across all spectrums, from pale to very dark skin, are finding that their skin reacts to the sun in ways that differ significantly from their childhood experiences.

Similarly, access to dentistry plays a major role in overall health. Getting regular teeth and mouth oral cancer screenings can prevent serious complications down the road.

Eye Exams: A Window to Overall Health

Access to Ophthalmology and Optometry for regular eye exams is about more than just vision correction; it is a critical diagnostic tool. Surprisingly, an eye exam can reveal systemic issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

As Jones (June 16, 2022) points out, the eye is effectively a doorway to our health evaluation. An optometrist or an ophthalmologist can look into a person’s eye with an ophthalmoscope and the latest medical equipment to view the back of the eyes. Consequently, they can detect the condition of veins, arteries, and nerves. Through this examination, a doctor can tell if a person has diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), glaucoma, cataracts, or other vision impairments that can lead to blindness. Ultimately, finding a good doctor that you feel comfortable with is very important for maintaining this aspect of your health.

Cognitive Health and The Silent Killer

We must also consider neurological health, specifically understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). Jones (April 30, 2022) notes that “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys brain cell connections, memory, and other critical mental functions.”

Finally, the urgency of these health matters cannot be overstated. I recently had a conversation with the publisher, David Beckford, and shockingly, we could name ten Black young men we knew who had died of heart attacks over the last 12 years. The majority of them were under 50 years old. Cardiovascular disease is a silent killer. Therefore, this article encourages men aged 18 to 118 to actively care for their health. Your families will certainly appreciate it! The Narrative Matters!

References

• Jones, L. (June 27, 2022). Men’s Health Month: Hearing Loss and Hearing Checks – The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO Men’s Health Month: Hearing Loss and Hearing Checks – The Narrative Matters
• Jones, L. (June 27, 2022). Men’s Health Month: Have Suicide Rates for Black Americans Increased? Why is More Data Pointing to an Increase? – The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO Men’s Health Month: Have Suicide Rates for Black Americans Increased? Why is More Data Pointing to an Increase? – The Narrative Matters
• Jones, L. (June 26, 2022). Men’s Health Month: Sun Screen and Sun Damage – The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO Men’s Health Month: Sun Screen and Sun Damage – The Narrative Matters
• Jones, L. (June 18, 2022). Men’s Health Month: Dental Care and Oral Health. Men’s Health Month: Dental Care and Oral Health – The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO Men’s Health Month: Dental Care and Oral Health – The Narrative Matters
• Jones, L. (June 16, 2022). Father’s Day note: For Men’s health month take care of your eyes and see to life – The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO Father’s Day note: For Men’s health month take care of your eyes and see to life – The Narrative Matters
• Jones, L. (April 30, 2022).The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey: Shines Light on Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) in African Americans. The Narrative Matters. St. Louis, MO The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey: Shines Light on Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) in African Americans – The Narrative Matters

Photo credit: Black Men and Mental Health: Practical Solutions | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

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