Why Do Men Hate Going To The Doctor?

In creating this post, I thought about how diligent my father was in caring for his physical body. He use to quote a scripture in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 which states: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body". (NIV)  He really believed this and demonstrated it by eating the right foods, not drinking or smoking, exercising at the gym and walking in the neighborhood. He did this for years. My dad was also very good about going to his annual check-ups at the dentist and the doctor. When he became ill and was hospitalized, the nurses were amazed that my dad still had all of his teeth! My dad was known for his classic smile. He listened to his body. You know the body will tell you when something is wrong with it. When my dad began experiencing the symptoms of his illness, he did not wait until it was too late (as some men do) but acted immediately by going to see his  doctor.

I found this article which is about the reasons why men tend to avoid medical check-ups.  The author is Jennifer Alinio, who writes some of the reasons why men dislike medical examinations and why men should start paying more attention to their health.  The article also lists some of the most common ailments experienced by men. I also decided to add some cartoon humor created by T. McCracken.


It is a fact that most men dislike going to the doctor. Getting a medical examination is seen as a “weakness” or a very unmanly thing to do, at least for the traditional, macho-types. Some men actually need to be dragged by the girlfriend or the wife to the doctor\'s office just to get a check-up. But why do they literally hate going to the doctor? Well, most men are very private and do not want to be touched especially by another man. An appointment with the doctor is also very time-consuming, and men hate that. Another reason is that men have a “primal survival instinct” that makes them avoid any situation that will possibly subject their body to any invasive procedure such as being injected with a needle. Lastly, men are great at denial --- even for health matters. Most men tend to put-off visiting a doctor until they reach their mid-40s to 50s.


But whether they like it or not, men must accept the fact that they are mortal. Health problems are inevitable in the same way that death is inescapable. Men can no longer deny or put-off the need to have regular medical check-ups.

Many serious health cases among men could have been treated had they received medical attention in the early stages of the disease. Preventive care is as important as taking a bath and brushing our teeth. Routine examinations are undeniably essential to identify symptoms and detect disease. When doctors perform a check-up, they need to be fully aware of the patient\'s medical history, age, body weight, and dietary habits. These information will help the doctor determine the risk factors and predisposition of the patient to certain illnesses.


Most men only visit the doctor when they feel terribly bad or once they see very alarming signs or symptoms of illness. Shown below are some of the most common ailments experienced by men:


1. Heart Attack – Many victims of heart attack die before they reach the hospital. Many die not even knowing that they had a heart problem. victims died before ever reaching the hospital. It is never too early to get a heart check-up since even young people are now prone to heart disease.

2. Hypertension – It is a medical condition where a person\'s blood pressure is chronically elevated. Common symptoms of hypertension include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and facial flushing.


3. High Cholesterol – Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that is found in human cells. It is also found in the fatty food that we eat. Cholesterol is important for the production of hormones and other substances that aid in food digestion. However, too much “bad” cholesterol or the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries leading to the heart makes a person more prone to heart attack.


4. Cancers – The Big “C” is actually made up of various types of cancers. Men are prone to colon and prostate cancer --- both of which can be treated if these diseases are detected early.


 5. Anxiety Disorder – A growing number of men are being diagnosed with anxiety disorder, an emotional and psychological condition that is characterized by fear, apprehension, phobia, and other nervous conditions that are considered to be baseless or irrational.


The Best Line of Defense


Regular doctor\'s check-ups, including sessions with a psychologist, should be strongly considered by men if they want to maintain their health. These examinations may entail the conduct of a blood pressure reading, weight and height measurements, EENT (Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat) examination, complete blood count, urinalysis, chest-ray, and ECG (electrocardiograph). Other important medical examinations no man above 40 should miss include:


· Routine examination of prostrate glands


· Annual stool examination


· Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)


Staying alive and healthy could entail some expenses but becoming ill is more expensive in terms of time and money. These are some of the simple ways that men can improve or maintain their health without spending a fortune:


1. Smoking - The World Health Organization has consistently campaigned against smoking due to its close links to lung cancer and other deadly pulmonary diseases.


2. Alcohol - Habitual and excessive intake of alcohol increases the risk of cardiovascular, liver and stomach problems among men.


3. Eating unhealthy food - Wrong food choices contribute to illness in a major way. Foods high in bad cholesterol should be totally avoided.


4. Risky Sexual Behavior - Promiscuity is a health risk since a man can expose himself to sexually transmitted disease.


5. Stress - Too much work pressure and too little sleep? Stress and anxiety can trigger problems like heart attacks and psycho-emotional disorders.


As the saying goes health is wealth. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Indeed, men should start paying more attention to their health and not postpone appointments with their doctor. Staying healthy and strong is the real macho thing to do --- even if entails going to the doctor once in a while.


Do you know of men who hate going to the doctor? What reasons do they give for not going? How can you help them?


Post your comment.


References:


http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/why-men-hate-doctors-216908.html
http://bible.cc/1_corinthians/6-19.htm
http://www.mchumor.com