Men's Health Our Experts

7 Ways Men Can Stay Healthy

Written by Dr. Joseph Hobbs

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are among the leading causes of death in American men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There’s no better time than now for men to start taking control of their health.

Being healthy isn’t only about caring for ourselves for our own well being, but it’s also about doing so for our loved ones. Below are few more tips to help you, or the man in your life, get on track to leading a healthier lifestyle:

Watch your diet:

Avoid processed food, and focus on eating more fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Be sure to also stay away from foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars.

Get moving:

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your heart and overall body strong. Aim to do about 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days of the week. This can include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming or playing sports like tennis and basketball.

Maintain a healthy weight:

Once you have shed the pounds, keep it off by balancing the amount of calories from food with the calories you burn. If you find yourself gradually gaining weight again, try portion control, keep a food journal and increase your physical activity.

Check your mental health:

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Pay attention to the signs of depression or bipolar disorder, especially if you have a family history of mental illness, suicide or substance abuse.

Visit your doctor regularly:

Choose a doctor with whom you feel comfortable sharing your health concerns and who can facilitate needed lifestyle changes to improve your health. Be sure to also keep up with your yearly checkups.

Get screened:

Many diseases can be prevented or treated more easily when detected early. Consider getting screened for obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, diabetes and sexually transmitted infections.

Stay healthy:

Prevent disease with scheduled adult immunizations.

We know you’re busy, that’s why we’re bringing world-class healthcare to your neighborhood.
Augusta University Care Centers are right in your community with teams of skilled primary care and specialty care doctors. Make an appointment at our Family Medicine clinic or at one of our care centers today, visit augustahealth.org, or call 706-721-2273 (CARE).

About the author

Dr. Joseph Hobbs

Dr. Hobbs has practiced as a family physician at Augusta University Health for more than 40 years, which has given him the opportunity to care for multiple generations of families. He has specific interest in the management of chronic diseases that are frequently found in the general population of the Augusta, Georgia community. He spends a substantial amount of his time not only facilitating patients’ self-management of their chronic diseases but also counseling them on their health maintenance, wellness and disease prevention. His practice is a part of a patient-centered medical home, where the emphasis is on continuous quality improvement and patient engagement, as evidenced by active participation with a Family Medicine Council of Patient Advisors.

2 Comments