November: Men's Health Month with The Christ Hospital

Did you know November is Men’s Health Month?

And of course I’m looking out for my favorite guy of all time, my daddy. I partnered with The Christ Hospital and Dr. Christian Gausvik and asked critical questions of what my Dad and other Men should be doing to ensure their best health. We discussed:

• What are the best supplements to take
• Hypertension
• Prostate Cancer
• Mental Health issues and more!

 Read our full discussion below. If you’re looking for a primary care physician to help you or your family stay healthy throughout all stages of life, schedule an appointment online with The Christ Hospital Physicians at a location near you!

Christian Gausvik, MD, The Christ Hospital Physicians – Primary Care
By way of intro: I am a Family Medicine specialist at The Christ Hospital with a particular interest in men's health, older adults and LGBTQ+ patients. I take an evidence-based approach to patient care, meaning I review all the scientific studies we have available and try to help my patients understand that information in an easy way so that together we can make informed health choices. My comments here do not constitute medical advice; always consult your physician for specific questions about your health. 

1. What are some good supplements for men to take?
   1.  In the absence of a specific health problem that might warrant a supplement in general I give patients a few notes before even talking about specific supplements. First, be aware of the brand, there are 3 groups the certify supplements for safety which is voluntary in the US: NSF International, ConsumerLab.com and Pharmacopedia - look for these seals on your brand especially if buying them online. Second, just because a supplement is safe does not mean it does what it claims to do and there are a lot of high priced ones out there making crazy claims. If you have a balanced diet, most studies have shown extra vitamins are not necessary and do not add any health benefit and high doses of some vitamins may actually be toxic. A men's daily multivitamin may be helpful if you think your diet does not include all the balanced food groups. Some men may benefit from calcium supplementation in older age to prevent osteoporosis. Most supplements advertising effects on men's sexual health are largely unproven or not fully studied. 
2. Hypertension - how often do you need to test for it? What are some tips to lower blood pressure?
   1.  Blood pressure should be checked at least yearly at your wellness visit with your doctor after age 18. If you see your doctor more often they will likely check it each visit. High blood pressure often does not cause any immediate symptoms so it is important to be checked to prevent long term problems like strokes and heart attacks. Things you can do to naturally lower blood pressure include: eating a lower salt diet (google the DASH diet), getting the recommended amount of exercise and losing weight. Sometimes those things alone are not enough and your high blood pressure may even be based on your genetics and in those cases you may need medication. 
3. At what age should men get their prostate checked for cancer?
   1.  This is such a frequent and complicated question! The group that studies screenings in the US is called the US Preventative Services Task Force. They examine all the studies and data out there and work to give recommendations on these things to guide our choices. Currently there is no strong recommendation for routine prostate cancer screening. The days of a prostate exam for everyone over 40 or over 50 are gone. The blood test (also known as PSA) that we use is also not routinely needed, but for those with a family history or after a discussion with your doctor we may choose to order this test after age 55. 
4. Tips and suggestions for mental health
   1. This is such a big category. we could talk about stress reduction, and therapy options, learning to communicate emotions more clearly and taking time to be present and mindful. All of those things are of value, but another way to make sure you are equipped to be mentally fit is to ensure you are taking care of yourself physically. Drink plenty of water, get good quality sleep each night, exercise regularly to relieve stress and for the heart benefits, and eat a balanced diet. If you feel you are struggling with your mental health it's also important to feel comfortable going to your physician to talk about other treatment options - that's what we are here for! 
5. When do men’s bodies start changing in terms of hormones? Is “MENopause” real?
   1.  It is true, men's hormones do change with age! Testosterone declines about 1% per year after age 40. Despite that most men still have normal testosterone levels throughout life. Only about 10-25% actually have "low T". Usually the symptoms men associate with low testosterone like sleepiness, loss of energy, change in sexual endurance or desire can be explained by another cause, but you should definitely chat with your primary care physician about these things if you notice them because you may need to have your testosterone checked! 
6. Should older men have babies? Are there any health risks involved for a baby whose father is past a certain age?
   1.  There is not a good definition for what constitutes advanced or older age in men when considering having babies. In general we say over 40 is considered an older age for a father. As men approach age 40 and 50, their sperm can change, but the risk of passing a defect on to their child remains very low. So low, that in general, we do not recommend freezing sperm just based on age. There may be other patient-specific considerations and so, as always, before planning a pregnancy it is a good idea to talk with your doctor. 
7. What health conditions are men at higher risk of than women?
   1.  The leading cause of death in both men and women is heart disease. Things like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and some cancers affect us all. In general some of the health threats particular to men include: prostate cancer, higher rates of alcohol use, aortic aneurysm (ask your doctor if you should be screened if you ever smoked), gout, HIV, Parkinson's disease, and lung and skin cancer. 
8. Why are men silent carriers for various diseases like HPV?
   1. Studies from 2014 showed rates of HPV among men at close to 50%, and 25% carrying the types at higher risk for causing cancers in women. We talk about men being "silent carriers" because they may often not have symptoms from the HPV virus, but can still pass the infection to their sexual partners and potentially put them at risk for cervical cancer. This is why the HPV vaccine is so important in both men and women and a good thing to talk with your primary care physician about!