Men's Health Awareness Month emphasizes diet and exercise

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Valley Baptist Health System reminds men that June is Men’s Health Awareness Month.

Health experts underscore there is no better time than now for men who normally put their health on the back burner to take stock of their fitness. They say physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and smoking are risk factors for heart disease, the number one killer of men in America.

Dr. Christopher Romero, an internal medicine specialist with Valley Baptist Health System said, while there is no cure-all when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, exercise can reduce the risk factor for a wide array of serious health complications and diseases ranging from stroke to diabetes.

“If there was a medication available today that could accomplish all of the health benefits that exercise provides nearly everyone would be on it,” Romero said. “Regular exercise is one of the single most important factors for improving overall health and has been shown to increase life expectancy.”   

Regular exercise helps keep the body’s blood vessels open and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. It can also positively impact cholesterol levels, raising levels of good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol numbers. Romero said that exercise can also lower the amount of fat in the bloodstream, assist in weight loss, and make the heart and lungs work more efficiently.

Consulting a physician is important before incorporating a new exercise routine. Walking, stair-climbing, jogging, and other activities of at least moderate intensity can also help prevent or manage several chronic diseases that become more common with age: type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and arthritis.

The Centers for Disease Control and the American Heart Association recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, four to five days a week. Both organizations also recommend moderate to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity at least twice a week.

Examples of such scheduled health screenings include annual tests for colon cancer. As rates of colorectal cancer continue to rise among young adults, the Centers for Disease Control reduced the age individuals should start receiving colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45 years old, Romero said.

Use these tips to move toward a more active life:

• Choose enjoyable activities. The key to starting and sticking with an exercise program is to pick the right activities. Then choose a convenient time and place to work out. Try to make exercise a habit. Finding an exercise partner may make it easier to stick to a regular schedule.
• Build up endurance. Begin by exercising slowly and gradually build up the intensity and duration of exercise sessions. Overdoing exercise increases the risk of injury. Do not ignore any pain in joints, ankles, feet, or legs.
• Drink plenty of water. During exercise, drink water every 15 minutes, especially in hot, humid conditions. Be sure to drink before experiencing feelings of thirst.
• Check with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, especially when starting from a long period of inactivity, or if you have a chronic health problem like heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, or if you are at high risk for developing these problems.

In addition to exercise, a healthy diet, one low in fat and calories is another way of fighting cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other conditions.

For more information on men’s health, visit www.valleybaptist.net.