June is Men’s Health Month

By Buffalo Medical Group | June 14 2022 | Uncategorized

By Zeeshan S. Hussain, M.D. – Buffalo Medical Group

Guys, let’s face it, if you’re like most men you just shrug off that nagging knee pain or persistent headache as “no big deal” or you say something like “It’s just a sign that I’m just getting older. While our health changes as we get older, that may not be the only reason for those ache’s and pains you might be experiencing.

June is National Men’s Health Month and while you may be inclined to tough it out, it’s the perfect time to get checked out by your primary care provider, who can not only diagnose what might be causing the problem, but also help you to develop a plan and set some goals for improving your health.

Reduce Stress

While most guys try to push through pain or other symptoms they might be experiencing, believe it or not, those symptoms may actually become worse due to the stress that they are causing you. Going to the doctor can do two incredible things: one, they can help figure out what’s wrong, but two, it can keep you from worrying.

Those symptoms may be a sign of something simple or maybe something more complex. Often times a change of lifestyle; getting more rest or more exercise, physical therapy or adjusting or changing a medication or dosage can make a big difference.

Relaxation and recovery are important steps to improving your health. Play some golf, get a massage, or taking a nap, it’s not lazy, it’s healthy. If you don’t have a regular exercise routine, start the conversation with your doctor about how you can get started and gradually increase your exercise program. Even a small change can have a big impact on your health.

Weekend Warrior

If you’re a weekend warrior who over does it with landscaping, on the softball field or other sports activity, it’s always good to keep a simple treatment option in mind; the RICE Method. The RICE method includes the following four steps:

Step 1: Rest. Pain is your body’s signal that something is wrong – As soon as you get hurt, stop your activity, and rest the injured area as much as possible for the first 2 days. While some folks live by the “no pain, no gain” philosophy, doing so with certain injuries, like a moderate to severe ankle sprain, can make the damage worse and delay your recovery.

Step 2: Ice. Ice is a tried-and-true tool for reducing pain and swelling. Apply an ice pack (covered with a light, towel to help prevent frostbite) for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours during the first 24 to 48 hours.  Don’t have an ice pack? A bag of frozen peas or corn make a good substitute.

Step 3: Compression. This means wrapping the injured area to prevent swelling. Wrap the affected area with an elastic medical bandage (like an ACE bandage). You want it to be snug but not too tight — if it’s too tight, it’ll interrupt blood flow.

Step 4: Elevation. This means raising the sore body part above the level of your heart. Doing so reduces pain, throbbing, and swelling. It’s not as tricky to do as you might think. For example, if you have an ankle sprain, you can prop your leg up on pillows while sitting on the sofa.

Keep in Mind

Men’s Health Month is a great time to remind guys to keep in mind a couple of other health related things:

• Schedule an Annual Physical Exam or Annual Wellness Visit – it’s a perfect opportunity to review your overall health status, perform a thorough physical exam and discuss other health and wellness related topics.
• Know your numbers –
  • Blood Sugar/Glucose – Your blood sugar measurement reflects your body’s capability of converting the food you eat into energy. A high blood sugar reading – can point to the possibility of diabetes.
  • BMI – Maintaining a healthy weight range for your age is good, but your body mass index (BMI) reveals more about your health. BMI is the ratio of your weight adjusted for your height. Your BMI is an important number because it is considered to be a more accurate definition for overweight and obesity than weight alone.
  • Blood pressure – High blood pressure (Hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. Talk to your doctor about changes in diet, exercise, or quitting smoking, can help improve your blood pressure.

Zeeshan S. Hussain, M.D. is accepting new patients at Buffalo Medical Group, 85 High Street in Buffalo. Call 716.656.4461 for an appointment.