Published at 11:11, Thursday, 27 October 2011

FOLLOWING on from our inaugural column, we will look at ways we can help ourselves keep abreast of our own health issues without getting too technical. This week we will look at the things ‘us blokes’ can look at to help maintain our everyday health.

MOLE CHECK: Check that you have no new moles on your body, and if you do have any, that they aren't getting bigger, are bleeding or itchy.

The one thing most men have in common is that if it wasn’t for their female partners nagging them into seeing a GP, men tend to recoil from doctors’ surgeries like vampires from the light. While women go for regular checkups, smears and mammograms, men, on the other hand, will not make an appointment for such things as a health check unless they are feeling really ill.

There are various tests available from your surgery for such conditions as heart disease; strokes; diabetes and prostate problems. There is also a Well Person Check, which is basically a health MOT (blood pressure, cholesterol weight etc) that can be booked with your GP practice nurse. However, this column is aimed at looking at the things you can do regularly to stay in good health. As most intelligent people know, prevention is better than cure. And with some conditions, if you don’t catch them early, it’s sadly too late to do anything about it.

One of the things we can all do is a regular self examination of our bodies (including private parts) for any odd lumps or swellings, which will take only a few seconds to carry out. Advice from the surgery is to give yourself a once over, once or twice a month. The easiest way to do this is when having your shower or bath; you can carry out a simple check that could detect any problems at an early stage saving any trauma later on. The checking processes starts by cupping your scrotum in your hand and then gently roll your fingers over each testicle, feeling for any anomalies, such as swelling, hardness or soreness to the touch. There are many different causes of testicular lumps, swellings and changes to the testicles. One of the most common things men might find is a small swelling or painless, pea-sized lump in one of the testes which is harmless, but, saying that, if you have any doubts contact your surgery who will be able to assess and talk you through any worries you may have.

Another simple check you, (or your wife/partner, if checking your back) can do, is to look for any moles or blemishes that you might not have noticed before, this could be prevalent after say, coming back from a sun holiday, or sun bed use (yes some of us still use them). If you already have any moles etc, have they grown or become itchy or bled of late? Again if so, contact your surgery to have them checked out.

The third check we can do is having a look around our own chest (breast) area. Although very rare, men can also get breast cancer. A minute spent having a look and feel around could save possible troubles in the future.

Three of the common concerns we have are; and the answers from the professionals:

Won’t the symptom just clear up on its own?

It can be easy to think that a symptom will sort itself out. But before you know it, weeks could have gone by. If you have any persistent change, get it checked out.

I don’t feel or look ill, so why do I need to see a doctor?

When cancer first develops you may not feel unwell. So it is important to see your doctor if you notice any warning signs or symptoms of a possible cancer even if you don’t feel or look ill.

I’ve seen the doctor, but my symptoms haven’t gone away.

If your symptoms haven’t gone away, have changed or have got worse, your doctor will want to know. So it is important that you go back and see your doctor again. Be stubborn if your symptom is stubborn.

The bottom line is: if in doubt, get it checked out.

In the next column, we will look at some of the things women can do themselves to help stay healthy.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk