November is men’s health.The initiative was launched during Movember and aims to tackle men’s health issues such as prostate cancer,that testisthis Mental Health and suicide prevention.
The movement started in Australia in 2003 when a group of friends decided to grow beards in November as a way of doing it. Raise funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.
What started as a local initiative has become a global phenomenon Millions of dollars raised Committed to charity and inspiring men around the world to get involved.
the fact is On average, men die 4.5 years earlier than women. For mainly preventable causes. To this end, Quirónsalud has joined the movement, which aims to emphasize the importance of prevention. Dr. Alejandro Pascual, Dr. Alexander Zhiganov and Dr. Amparo Miguez provide basic information on prevention and men’s health examinations.
Dr. Jiganov, general medicine specialist and examination coordinator at Quirónsalud Torrevieja, emphasizes the importance of medical examinations at different stages of life. “Having preventive check-ups is essential to take care of your health, improve your quality of life and detect possible problems before they arise, which can help prevent long-term complications,” the doctor says.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, Physical examination varies by age and personal risk factors.
Dr. Zhiganov explained that in general, it is recommended to have a check-up every four years before the age of 40, then every two years until the age of 60, and finally annually.
However, it is indicative of each person’s individual circumstances, especially if they have risky habits, e.g. smokeshe alcohol consumption or a unhealthy dietand family history of genetic disorders can affect the frequency of testing.
What does a physical examination include?
A physical exam is a multi-stage process such as an interview with a doctor to obtain a medical history and current living habitsand perform a general inspection to evaluate Health status and detecting possible medical conditions or risk situations.
Dr. Zhiganov clarified that a physical examination usually includes supplementary tests, e.g. blood and urine tests, blood pressure measurement, lung capacity assessment, of riskcardiovascular, Commentophthalmic and Otolaryngology, X-raysofChest and other diagnostic tests based on individual needs.
When to see a urologist? Dr. Amparo Míguez, a urologist at Quirónsalud Torrevieja, emphasized that prevention is the best medicine and “all men should receive preventive treatment.” Annual urology exam after age 45 or 50 (if they have no genetic risk factors), because at this age some pathologies related to the natural aging process begin to appear. ”
Experts say these checks are key early diagnosis and treat serious problems, some of which don’t cause symptoms until late, such as prostate cancer.
Urology specialist in Quirónsalud Torrevieja says, “You must first see a urologist and then any symptoms, Pain or discomfort in the genitourinary area, Changes in the organic characteristics of the urine (odor, color, appearance, etc.) or suspicion of some genital dilation process that is developing and may be discovered/recognized during self-examination.
Doctors explain that major urinary system problems in young people aged 18-20 years may begin in puberty and are related to the onset of sexual life, “mainly Phimosis and frenulum problems“.
more broadly, Between 18 and 30 years old”, “Urologists commonly deal with urinary tract infections, kidney stones, sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs), and in some cases, male erectile dysfunction (ED). ”
Furthermore, Miggs noted, “Testicular cancer occurs at a very young age, so young people must be alerted to see a urologist if any abnormalities are found in the testicles.” He testicular cancer It is the second most common disease among young men worldwide.
However, experts emphasize that it is the first time for men to see a urologist. Between 45 and 50 years old If you don’t have any symptoms, get a general checkup. “They occur especially if certain lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) begin to occur, such as getting up at night to urinate (nocturia) or a urine stream that is smaller in intensity and diameter. But the most severe of them are prostate disease, especially prostate cancer“.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
There are two common tests Preliminary testing And, according to the same results, Biopsy.
For diagnosis, PSAs,A blood test It looks for the presence in the blood of proteins produced specifically by cells in the prostate. “It is a prostate marker that is not cancer-specific, but its levels can be monitored throughout a man’s adult life. “If it goes up, that would indicate the need for further investigation.” Even so, experts say the digital rectal examination remains an important diagnostic tool during a physical exam.
Urological examination for those over 60 years old
For men over 60, doctors recommend If you have symptoms that may indicate a serious illness, go to thesuch as blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.
At this stage of life, the most common questions usually relate to lower urinary tract symptoms Due to prostate obstruction and erectile dysfunction.
Urologists also pointed out Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)”, “Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate becomes more common after age 60. ” The doctor emphasized that prostate cancer “is a cancer that affects men over 50 years old, is uncommon in men over 40 years old, and was almost non-existent before.”
heart checkup
A cardiovascular test (or heart test) is a medical test that includes Determine the condition of the heartand circulatory system To identify the main causes of coronary risk.
Current recommendations suggest that men Starting at age 45, cardiovascular risk assessment should be performed. Dr. Alejandro Pascual, head of the Department of Cardiology at Quirónsalud Alicante, explains that in this review, evaluations aimed at looking for symptoms of heart disease or cardiovascular disease, as well as clinical and analytical evaluations looking for the presence of risk factors, should be performed. Cardiovascular.
All of these are aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease, e.g. arterial hypertensionthis Dyslipidemiathis diabetesMelitushe smokesthis obesity or sedentary lifestyleor there is a family history of early cardiovascular disease.
How often should you have cardiovascular exams?
According to experts, We must assess cardiovascular risk every five years, “Or earlier if we’re at a risk level that’s close to requiring treatment for heart disease.”
Prevention and caring for health are crucial
Prevention is critical to health care. “not only Prevent the emergence and spread of disease, But it also reduces the need for more expensive treatments and other health actions,” Dr. Zhiganov said.
All the information about getting a medical exam on their website.