June is National Men’s Health Awareness Month, and it’s important to evaluate health issues commonly experienced by men as they enter adulthood and middle age. If you have not visited your primary health physician for some time, you may wish to schedule an appointment at your health care clinic in order to screen for health conditions that may arise based on your family history or lifestyle.
Cardiovascular Disease. According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 3 men have some form of cardiovascular disease, with hypertension and stroke affecting men of all ages.
Respiratory Disease. Men are increasingly diagnosed with lung cancer, due to occupational hazards and smoking.
Alcohol Use. According to the CDC, men more frequently experience hospitalization or alcohol-related deaths due to over-consumption of alcoholic beverages, with an increase in esophageal, liver, colon and mouth cancers.
Depression. Men are less likely to talk about or seek help when experiencing feelings of depression or suicide. Often, symptoms of depression in men include feelings of fatigue and irritability.
Accidents. Men are more likely to experience accidental injuries due to lifestyle or occupational hazards, and accounts for the third leading cause of death in men.
Diabetes. Men who experience diabetes suffer from a wide range of health problems, including sexual dysfunction, kidney damage, vision problems, stroke and more.
Skin Cancer. Men over 50 are at a particularly high risk for developing skin cancer – double that of women. It is it important to visit your primary care physician or dermatologist with any signs of skin or changes or irregular mole development.
If you do not have health insurance and live or work on Johns, James or Wadmalaw Island, you may be eligible for free health care at Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic. We offer our patients free on-going patient care and referrals, including dermatology, mental health services, chronic disease management and more. Learn more here or call us at 843-266-9800. For a list of additional free clinics, click here.
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to eligible patients, just like any family practitioner or internist. The Free Clinic serves uninsured adults living at or below 200 % of the Federal poverty level who live or work on Johns, Wadmalaw or James Islands. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.