A century ago, the leading causes of death among men were communicable diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, and complications from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Today, is a vastly different story with heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke and diabetes rounding out the top six, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recently, we sat down with Costabile to discuss how men can reduce their risk factors, at any age, and live healthier lives.
Q: What are chronic diseases?
Chronic diseases are basically conditions that last a year or more and require regular, ongoing medical attention, or conditions that limit activities such as work or daily living—or both. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes are the leading chronic diseases causing death in the U.S.
Q: How can men prevent getting chronic diseases?
Many chronic diseases are caused by a short list of risk behaviors: tobacco use as well as exposure to secondhand smoke, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and alcohol abuse. About half of American adults—more than 117 million individuals, have one or more preventable chronic diseases, many of which are related to poor quality eating patterns and physical inactivity. I feel the core of one’s health rests firmly on four pillars: what you put into your mouth, what you put into your lungs, what you put into your mind and toxic environmental exposures.
Q: At what age should men start getting serious about their health?
Men’s health starts with boys’ health. This notion that children can eat as much junk food, sodas, chips and candy as they want because they should enjoy themselves while
they are young, is backward thinking. If moms and dads
instill the idea of health and healthy habits when their
children are young, there’s a good chance they will carry
those healthy habits into their adult lives and avoid obesity,
diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions that
are linked to poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Q: Why is it important for men in their 20s
and 30s to have regular check-ups?
If young men get tested for indicators of heart disease
and some cancers early, they will have time to make
adjustments to their diet and exercise routines, as well as
get the latest information on prevention. The Affordable
Care Act requires that all insurance plans must cover
preventive health services, including an annual physical,
so building a relationship with a primary care physician
should be on every young man’s list. Things can sneak up
on men that can have devastating consequences down the
road. I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is
have a regular physical exam.
Q: What advice would you offer to a man
who has been neglecting his health for
years (or decades) and is avoiding going to the
doctor? What’s the first step?
Please make an appointment with your primary care
provider as soon as possible to get a checkup. If you don’t
have a primary care provider, find one that you feel you can
relate to. We are here to help you achieve optimal health so
you can live your best life - free of guilt or judgment.
Q: If someone doesn’t smoke or drink alcohol,
shouldn’t they be able to eat whatever
foods they enjoy and still be healthy?
Health is not a zero-sum game. Not smoking nor using
alcohol is great, but abstaining from those things won’t
protect your arteries from a buildup of plaque if you are
eating the wrong foods. The same is true for people who
have an excellent BMI (Body Mass Index), but smoke two
packs of cigarettes a day.
Q: Is it normal for men to feel overwhelmed,
down or unhappy?
Everyone, in every age group, feels down from time to time
and it is a normal part of life. Major life changes such as
the breakup of a relationship or loss of a job, a failure or
an unfavorable health diagnosis, will undoubtedly bring
on emotional pain. But, when feelings of hopelessness
and despair won’t go away, or if you find it hard to
function and enjoy life, something more serious could be
causing these emotions. The most common symptoms
of depression are: the feeling that nothing will ever get
better and you won’t be able to improve your situation;
loss of interest in hobbies and social activities you
used to enjoy; a significant weight gain or weight loss;
sleeplessness; and/or, trying to escape emotional pain by
using alcohol or drugs.
According to statistics gathered through the
National Institutes of Health, men between the ages of
18 and 44 are less likely to see a specialist for emotional
health than women, and when they do agree to see a
professional it is at the point of crisis. You wouldn’t
hesitate to see a health practitioner if you wrenched
your back and were in pain every day—you should think
about emotional or mental health the same way.
Q: “I feel stressed all the time, I can’t seem
to relax. I’m irritable and generally
unhappy. Is this normal for a man in his 50s?”
Before I can answer that, I have to ask if there have been
any major changes in your life. Stress and depression
are issues that most men don’t want to admit they have.
Everyone can feel overwhelmed at times, but if that
carries on and if loved ones are suggesting that you talk
to your primary care provider, then that might be a sign
that you should make an appointment.
In addition to eating right, exercising, limiting alcohol
and quitting smoking, men should have regular physicals
with lab work to test for cholesterol, blood sugar,
triglycerides, and begin screening for colon cancer, skin
cancer and other conditions as recommended by their
primary care provider.