You Have to Ask Your Doctor These Questions in Your 30s - DMT NEWS

Breaking News

You Have to Ask Your Doctor These Questions in Your 30s

DMT.NEWS #blogger #blog

Questions to Ask Your Doctor In Your 30s

As you inch closer to your 30s — the fourth decade that promises plenty of change — you will start to experience a shift. Not only in your career, which is likely propelling upwards, or your relationship, which is getting more serious but in your health. In fact those memes about hangovers might not feel as funny, since they are ringing loud and true. And meeting your fitness goals? It could require more work than it did when you were fresh out of college.

RELATED: Ways to Keep a Strong Erection

As Dr. Brian Levine explains, it’s estimated that starting at age 30, a man’s peak performance — muscle mass, physical function, cardiovascular health and so on — decrease by one percent per year. “When a man is in his 30s, he is setting his body up for his performance in his ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s. The habits and the shape that he maintains will likely be the one that sticks with him and last through the rest of his life.”

No pressure right? Before you start to sweat, remember the best way to set yourself up for happiness and health is taking a proactive approach. This means showing up to the doctor as recommended, and coming prepared with important questions you need to understand right-here and right-now. Here, trusted physicians advise 30-something men on the discussions that should have with their medical professional ASAP.

What should be my ideal body weight?

Especially if you have an office job, you might find yourself sitting for hours beyond end, day after day. And though you used to find the motivation to hit the gym for an hour in the a.m. or right after the clock struck 6 p.m. — you’ve likely felt less energized these days. Or maybe you have a family now, so every second when you aren’t working is dedicated to spending time with your children and partner. This can add to a little something extra around your waistline, and before you know it, that scale is tipping much higher than it used to.

In addition to making clothes fit a little snugger, cardiologist Adam Splaver, MD, says this is bad news for your overall health. In fact, when your overall body weight rises, so does your risk for diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer. However, the good news is the younger you are, the easier it to lose — and maintain — body weight. That’s why he suggests chatting with your doctor about what’s the ideal number for your body type and build. With this information, you have a goal to work toward that can help you remain active for decades to come.

Am I exercising enough?

We hate to break it to you but if you aren’t getting that heart rate up at least three to four times a week for 45 minutes at a time, you’re falling short of the American Heart Association’s recommendation for heart health. The vast majority of men will be juggling careers, families, aging parents and other responsibilities during their 30s, which can make squeezing in a quick workout that much more difficult.

Even so, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat M.D. explains remaining active is one of the single-best proactive measures a man can take. “As we get older, our metabolism slows down [and our] hormones change’” she says. “This is why it's so important to exercise. This will help reduce stress, improve mood, circulation, blood pressure, heart rate, energy levels, and more.”

Is my stress out of control?

Consider everything that happened in your 20s: you graduated from college, you moved somewhere, perhaps you bought a house, met the love of your life, got married — and maybe even had a child. Your 30s will continue on this same rollercoaster of big events, which in turn, will pile more and more on your to-do list. Though exciting, you may also feel as if you are running on steam, 24/7.

“It is the time when many men are launching their careers, settling down with a partner and building families. These changes although very positive can cause a level of stress that a man has yet to experience. This type of stress affects not only the mind, but also the body,” explains internal medicine physician Dr. Denise Pate, MD. “Pay attention to these stressors and work on techniques that help reduce stress with your doctor.”

Can I have a coronary calcium score?

Though this may seem like a total curve ball — it’s not, considering the leading cause of death among American men is heart disease. Though it isn’t likely for most men to run a risk of stroke or a heart attack in their 30s, there are ways to understand your unique factors. The best one, according to Splaver, is taking a coronary calcium test. In fact, it has been shown to detect possible signals of heart disease, even when someone doesn’t have a single symptom. He explains in your 30s, your score should be zero. If it’s not, you can take the information as a motivator to make some serious lifestyle adjustments — from diet to exercise or both. Best of all? This test is typically covered by insurance, especially if you have a family history.

RELATED: What Guys Get Wrong About Mental Health (and How to Fix It)

Am I drinking too much?

Sure, your 20s were defined by accepting every work trip invitation. Saying ‘yes’ to drinks with your boss to build a repertoire. Taking a promising date out for a round of happy hour drinks with the hope of a relationship ... or something along those lines. Celebrating (or commiserating) the wins (and losses) with trusted friends.

Most of the time, these moments call for boozing. But as you probably already know (and your pounding headache reminds you), everything is better in moderation, including alcohol. As a man enters his 30s, this is an even more important rule to follow, since overdoing it can raise your blood pressure, cause liver and heart problems, to name a few. If your concerned with cutting back, have a candid chat with your physician who can brainstorm strategies.

Do I need to update any of my vaccinations?

You may be more aware of your children’s vaccinations than you are of your own — but your 30s is a great time for a check in. As Pate says, these types of proactive measures are not only important for kiddos but for grown men. She recommends the HPV vaccine which can help protect men from the human papillomavirus known to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. She also stresses TDAP — tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis — vaccine, which protects against these three potentially fatal bacterial diseases.

Are my hormones balanced?

While discussions around female hormones are common, men experience a shift in their own levels with age, too. When something is arry, off or out of whack, you could notice sinking energy, depression, a lack of sex drive, weight gain and other problemsome issues. Splaver suggests speaking with your physician to test your testosterone, cortisol, insulin and thyroid levels. “This elegant dance of hormones requires they all be balanced to maintain optimal health,” he adds.

Why am I having trouble in the bedroom?

When you blow out more candles on your birthday cake — you could experience the extinguishing of something you hold near and dear: your erection. While plenty of men don’t experience this, many do — and it’s important to rest easy since there is likely a medical solution. In fact, unexplained erectile dysfunction in 30-something men is normal, according to Nesheiwat who says a decrease in testosterone could be to blame. By getting tested, you can understand your chemical makeup and create a game plan with your doctor to get back on track — and up to your tip-top performance under the sheets.

What screenings should I get?

Part of the glorious ride of adulthood is being your own strongest advocate. Even if you have a killer support system that rallies behind you, the communication you share with medical professionals is personal. Building that relationship and asking for the right screenings you need based on your age and medical history could help detect early signs and diagnoses. As Pate explains, if heart attacks or stroke is common in your background, seek a cardiologist. If it’s cancer, discuss a general screening timeline to ensure you’re protected and prepared.

What else should you ask your doctor? Well, anything. The more you understand the health, the more control you have. Even if it can sometimes be scary to be vulnerable, information is power — and it’s up to you to seek it.

You Might Also Dig:

WATCH: Colon Cancer Prevention: Everything You Need to Know Best Hangover Cures That Really Work What to Know About Men's Heart Health at Every Age



DMT.NEWS

via DMT.NEWS, Lindsay Tigar, Khareem Sudlow