Men tend to drag their feet when it comes to health care, but ignoring medical concerns and failing to seek help can lead to bigger problems in the future.
As part of Men’s Health Week (9th – 15th June) – a week-long focus on the state of men’s health in the UK – Medicx Pharmacy Westbury is urging women to speak to their partner about any health problems they may have and encourage them to seek professional advice.
Esther Hayward, Westbury pharmacy manager said, “Women may joke about men complaining of ‘man flu,’ but when it comes to more serious health problems, men are often too shy or embarrassed to seek help.
“Whether it’s smoking cessation, weight management or cholesterol testing, we find that men are less likely than women to take advantage of the services that we offer. But this reluctance to seek medical advice means that any conditions individuals are suffering from will become more advanced – and more difficult to treat.
“Many of the most serious men’s health problems such as prostate cancer, skin cancer, diabetes and heart problems, can be more successfully treated if detected early. Losing weight, cutting down on alcohol and stopping smoking all reduce the risk of potentially serious health problems too.
“As well as being too embarrassed or scared, one of the main reasons why men put off seeking medial attention is that they can’t get an appointment and don’t want to take any time off work.
“At Medicx Pharmacy you don’t need an appointment, you can just pop in for confidential, free advice and support. We also have a private consultation room and if your man is too embarrassed, we also offer anonymity, which some men may prefer.”
TOP TIPS: If you’re struggling to get your significant other checked out, here are some suggestions:
• Instead of nagging your loved one, sit down and explain that you are worried about their health
• Don’t tell him how out of shape and unhealthy he is – be supportive and change your diet and lifestyle as a family
• Encourage him to visit a pharmacy in his lunch break as a first port of call
• Test your man’s general health knowledge with the Medicx Pharmacy quiz (below). If he answers incorrectly hopefully this will incentivise him to get checked out!
To find out more about the services available at Medicx Pharmacy Westbury, please contact the team on 01373 888 088 or visit the practice situated in the White Horse Health Centre.
Medicx Pharmacy Men’s Health Quiz
Q. What is a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) for a man?
A. BMI is a simple calculation that is used to indicate whether you’re a healthy weight for your height. A BMI between 18.5-24.9 is a healthy range – a score of 25 or more means that you’re heavier than is healthy for someone of your height. Excess weight can put you at increased risk of heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes.
Q. What size is a healthy waist measurement for a man?
A. If your waist is bigger than 94cm, you are carrying too much fat around your belly, which increases your risk of heart disease, even if you’ve an apparently ‘healthy’ BMI.
Q. How many units of alcohol should men consume per day?
A. Men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units per day (an average pint is 2.3 units).
Q. How many minutes of moderate physical activity—as a minimum—should you aim for most days of the week?
A. If you are not already physically active, start small and work up to 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Walking briskly, mowing the lawn, bicycling, and swimming are just a few examples of moderate physical activity.
Q. How often should you have your blood pressure checked?
A. Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years.
