Why Men’s Health Needs More Attention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13.8 % of men aged 18 and over are in fair or poor health. That’s quite significant, especially considering the lower end of the age spectrum. Why is this the case? And, is there a way to stop that statistic from rising any higher? 

Dr. Hamzeh Badwan, Family Medicine Provider at Riverside's Watseka campus, weighs in. 

Overcoming the “Stoic Stigma”

One significant barrier to better health is an unfortunate stigma surrounding men and their approach to wellness. Men often don’t reach out when they want or need help, which is really a 1950s ideology. It is an element of “stoicism” that keeps them from reaching out.

“We're in 2023. We shine the light on awareness for all these other issues. Men's health is taking a backseat, unfortunately. I’m here to provide guys with the resources to take advantage and optimize their health. This isn't about getting treatments when you don't need it. It's about preventing and treating diseases early,” states Dr. Badwan. 

The stigma is more pronounced when it comes to mental health. But, many mental health concerns can be tied to physiology. For example, feeling down, depressed, or fatigued could be due to low testosterone, a vitamin deficiency, or a thyroid issue. Erectile dysfunction (ED) often chips away at one’s mental health as well. Dr. Badwan assures men there are solutions to address ED.

“Erectile dysfunction happens with guys as they get older. There's no shame in it. No embarrassment. And the good thing is, there's medicine for it. It's really inexpensive; doesn’t have a lot of side effects. A healthy sexual life is important for every human being.”

Weight, Diabetes, and More

An additional concern many men face is weight control. Obesity and low testosterone (“low T”) go hand-in-hand. A man may develop type-2 diabetes if he isn’t able to keep his weight at an acceptable level. However, solutions exist for this issue as well—even beyond the traditional approach of diet and exercise. That said, diet, exercise, and a generally healthy lifestyle are crucial for optimal health.

“I look at health as a multi-pronged approach. There's not just one part of it. It's an entire lifestyle,” shares Dr. Badwan. “I'm trying to stay active, stay hydrated, eat three to four small meals a day. None of us have time to go work out two hours a day. No one's saying to go work out two hours a day. Just get out. Walk. Anything's better than nothing. You have to build on it every day, and it has to be a conscious effort.”

Prostate Health

Prostate issues are common in aging men, including prostate cancer. This cancer is highly treatable, if men take the initiative to get checked for it. Typically, screening commences at age 50—unless there is a family history of the cancer or other concerning factors. 

Screening involves a blood test to measure one’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA). If it is elevated, imaging is the next step. “It's painless. It saves a lot of lives. And, if we catch it early, we can really benefit your health overall,” notes Dr. Badwan. 

Take Charge of Your Health Today

No matter the concern—whether mental health, heart health, prostate health, ED, or any health issue—men should not be hesitant to speak up. These are all very common issues that need to be addressed. 

“We see a lot of men who are ashamed to bring up issues because they feel emasculated. However, I want to just highlight the fact that this outdated thinking needs to go,” urges Dr. Badwan. “There's no such thing as emasculating. We're all human beings. We all suffer from similar issues.”  

Find a primary care provider that fits your needs at myrhc.net/acceptingnew.