'Don't be Superman': Why men shouldn't wait to see a doctor

From the time they're boys, many men hear the same messages: push through the pain, don't cry, handle your own problems, walk it off.

While those lessons may be intended to build toughness and resilience, Austin Lunney, MD, an internist with Hendrick Clinic, said they can also make it harder for men to ask for help when it comes to their health.

His advice?

"Don't be Superman," he said. "A lot of men are afraid to ask for help or afraid to look weak. But there's nothing weak about going to the doctor, asking questions and making small lifestyle changes."

Lunney said better health starts with sleep and exercise. He encourages patients to prioritize rest and resistance training, particularly as they age and begin to lose muscle mass.

Many serious health conditions can be detected earlier through routine screenings and regular visits with a primary care physician.

"Men have a habit of brushing things off or being reactive to their health," said Lunney. "Many times, they will only see a doctor if they feel bad or something is wrong."

Building a relationship with a primary care physician helps ensure men stay current on recommended screenings. Lunney shared the following guidelines based on age and individual risk factors:

• 20s: Establish care with a primary care physician and begin annual wellness exams, routine blood work and cholesterol and blood sugar screenings.
• 40s: Continue annual checkups and routine lab work and begin colon cancer screening at age 45.
• 60s: Stay current on preventive screenings and discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, lung cancer screening and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening.

Those exams are important for everyone, said Lunney, even for those hesitant to see a doctor.

"If we can control your blood pressure or cholesterol, for example, with one or two medicines, it may prevent something catastrophic in the future that will require much more medicine," he said. "As men, we need to understand that by taking care of ourselves, we can better take care of those around us and our loved ones."