Men

Tomorrow is Father's day. My reminisces about my father and his death at age 78, stimulated my creative juices. Men are brought up to be strong and uncomplaining. My father was a medic in WW2. He let an old GP suture my chin when I was 4 years old with only an ice cube application for anesthesia. He admonished to be a "man". I stifled my tears and made my father proud.

This denial of pain can lead to increased morbidity and mortality for men. I waited 5 days before seeking medical attention with increasing right lower quadrant abdominal pain. A 40 year old physician being berated by his attorney wife that RLQ pain could be appendicitis. When I was finally diagnosed with appendicitis, my surgeon was confronted with a large appendiceal abscess. The subsequent scar tissue and adhesions that developed from this abscess have led to 3 surgeries for bowel obstruction and the resection of 1 foot of my ileum. Chronic intestinal dysfunction is the legacy of my stubbornness.

Men die of myocardial infarction in large numbers because of this same attitude. Chest pain is dismissed as indigestion. Poor dietary habits, smoking, excessive drinking, and lack of exercise are rife in the male ER population. That "beer belly" is metabolically active fat that predisposes men to coronary artery events. Many male patients pridefully tell me that they don't go to the doctor. Interventions that could extend their life and improve their health are neglected.

Those of us who are fortunate to have a loving partner pushing us through the ER door, may get timely treatment. Our children may also shame us into getting medical attention. The changes in our life style are relatively simple to enumerate but difficult to initiate and maintain.

Eat healthy. No fried foods. Smaller portions. Limit salt intake. Eat fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol. STOP SMOKING. Begin a regular exercise program. Walk the stairs. Park further away from the store. Play a sport. Take a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.

ED (erectile dysfunction) and lazy, slow or few "boys". Infertility in men is an increasing problem. Sperm counts and motility issues are related to multiple health and environmental factors. Excessive body fat increases levels of estrogen. Lack of exercise leads to sluggish circulation and promotes atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Wearing tight clothing increases the temperature in the scrotum and impairs sperm formation. Obesity often leads to diabetes and hypertension. Both diseases are major factors in ED.

Men need to pay attention to their bodies. We tend to gain 10 lbs per decade after age 20. Increased urination may be related to elevated blood sugar and or an enlarging prostate gland. Numbness, weakness, headaches, and chest pains should not be ignored. Find a primary care doctor and get a thorough exam. Know your cholesterol level, blood pressure and BMI (body mass index, a measure of obesity).

Er docs often refer to the immature, dangerous and often times felonious actions of young men as acute testosterone poisoning. Drunk driving, binge drinking, drunken brawls, drug abuse, domestic violence, reckless behavior all lead to ER visits for the male patient or their victims. Alcohol and drug use, hazing and sexual assault are all too common on college campuses. We fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, older brothers, and uncles need to set a good example for our boys. Actions speak louder than words. I remind my nephews that I will always love them. Even if they get into trouble, I will never abandon them. They are also told that they will have to pay the financial, legal and health costs of their indiscretion's.

From a Darwinian perspective, men are only needed to procreate. That may be true for most species but human males have the chance to contribute to our families, and communities in much more significant ways. Be a caring and attentive father. Cherish your life's partner. Be good sons, brothers, and uncles. Mentor younger men at work, houses of worship, and in your community. Good health and a longer, happier life can be achieved with knowledge and determination.

Happy Father's Day