Movember: Your Guide to Men’s Health
By Reecha Panchal, ND
It’s Movember!
Since 2011, Canadians have been taking part in Movember, an annual event involving the growing of moustaches in the month of November. The movement started in Australia during the year of 2003 to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. Primarily focused around prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health, Movember is addressing some of the biggest health issues faced by men in today’s society. Their motto is “to stop men dying too young.”
Men die an average of 4.5 years earlier than women. Men’s health is in crisis, and for largely preventable health concerns. Men do not seek healthcare as often as women do. It’s about time this changes.
Let’s break it down. Men are likely to suffer from a series of common health concerns starting from their 20’s. However, because they do not actively seek health guidance, these concerns multiply into disorders as men age. These disorders are preventable diseases which later they end up being treated for, for example hypertension.These disorders are preventable diseases that they are later treated for, an example is hypertension. Higher rates of unhealthy habits that remain unchanged for years, such as smoking, high stress, and inadequate nutrition in men can elevate their blood pressure. High blood pressure with delayed treatment poses a significant risk to men’s cardiovascular health. Hence why, middle-aged men will suffer from more heart attacks than women in the same age group. This applies to common health issues men face, such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, erectile dysfunction, and benign prostatic hyperplasia amongst others.
If men started to seek out healthcare more often, the rates of preventable diseases and deaths would decrease significantly.
At any age, it is important to get regular health check-ups including physical examinations and routine bloodwork. Given your personal and family health history, certain investigations may be more important than others.
a quick guide to basic screening guidelines for men
For your 20s: Young adulthood is a fun time! Get started on the right foot by scheduling in a regular check-up to get your blood pressure taken and baseline bloodwork completed. Find a healthcare provider you trust and understand your family medical history by asking your parents, siblings and grandparents. Focus on daily exercise and eating a well-balanced Mediterranean diet. Get the right facts about smoking and alcohol use by asking a trusted provider.
For your 30s: Your body is changing and so is your lifestyle! Check-in with yourself at this stage. Are you gaining weight? Have you noticed changes in your skin, digestion, sleep? Reproductive concerns? Are you stressed? And how well are you managing your work/life balance? If you’re struggling, talk to someone. Check for testicular masses every month. Stay active and start adding strength training workouts.
For your 40s: A milestone with life transitions! Life can get busy, but it’s important to continue your regular exercise regimen and healthy nutritional habits. Start implementing flexibility into your exercise regimen. Cholesterol and blood sugars should be closely monitored here. Have your initial colonoscopy, prostate exam and heart screening completed. And remember to find joy wherever you are.
For your 50s and beyond: The good old days! All of the healthy habits you’ve built through the years should be reassessed. Has your ability to move, rest, eat and sleep well changed? Continue to monitor your cholesterol, blood sugar levels and screen your heart health. Stay up-to-date with your colon, prostate and testicular cancer screening. Have your initial bone density scan. Check-in with yourself, any emotions or thoughts lingering longer than they used to? Speak to a friend, family member or your healthcare provider. Keep your social connections abundant, as a sense of community and belonging is the pinnacle of vitality.
Naturopathic medicine can support men’s health in many ways. The approach of proactive and preventative healthcare allows for a thorough investigation and appropriate treatments in a timely manner. In a world often dominated by quick fixes, it's crucial to consider a comprehensive perspective that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional facets of men’s well-being.
The naturopathic approach can include:
Extensive laboratory bloodwork to assess general health status and review deficiencies. Blood tests can include: Cholesterol, Blood Sugars, Liver function, Cardiovascular health markers, Testosterone and Prostate health markers.
Hormone testing to improve energy, libido, physical performance, fertility, and longevity. Integrating herbs like ashwagandha, maca, and tribulus terrestris can contribute to hormonal balance and support energy levels, libido, and mental clarity.
Dietary guidance to support nutrition rich in whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables lays a solid foundation. Essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids play pivotal roles in supporting overall health, including reproductive and cardiovascular health.
Lifestyle counselling to discuss mental health and set movement goals. Chronic stress can contribute to a range of health issues. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga are powerful tools for stress management, promoting mental well-being and resilience.
Supplement recommendations including vitamin and mineral support, herbal remedies, homeopathic therapies and nutraceuticals to optimize health.
As a Naturopathic Doctor, my mission is to empower men to take charge of their health proactively. By integrating Naturopathic care with conventional medicine, we can pave the way for a future where men not only survive but thrive in all aspects of life. Together, we can unravel the holistic journey towards health success and embrace the integration of mind, body, and soul.
If you’re reading this and have a grandfather, father, uncle, son, partner who would benefit from this care, go ahead and refer them to Dr. Reecha Panchal, ND and lets help the men in our lives thrive!
References
1. Everett B, Zajacova A. Gender differences in hypertension and hypertension awareness among young adults. Biodemography Soc Biol. 2015;61(1):1-17. doi: 10.1080/19485565.2014.929488. PMID: 25879259; PMCID: PMC4896734.
2. Shimizu, T., Bouchard, M., & Mavriplis, C. (2016). Update on age-appropriate preventive measures and screening for Canadian primary care providers. Canadian Family Physician, 62(2), 131-138.
3. Maas AH, Appelman YE. Gender differences in coronary heart disease. Neth Heart J. 2010 Dec;18(12):598-602. doi: 10.1007/s12471-010-0841-y. PMID: 21301622; PMCID: PMC3018605.
Read on to find out more about how Dr. Reecha can help you with your health concerns as a virtual naturopathic doctor.
Dr. Reecha can offer consultations from a distance to anyone who is based in Ontario. She is available for phone and online consultations. With virtual care, you can receive much of the naturopathic care you need without having to leave your home. Accessing virtual naturopathic services does not change the effectiveness of your care. The only thing that changes from an in-person to online visit is how you speak with your naturopath. The quality of service is the same, and is still individualized to your needs.
Virtual consults are provided through a secure online video platform. This ensures that your medical information remains safe and confidential. All you will need is a secure internet connection and a computer or a smartphone. In addition, treatment plans and lab requisition forms created for you can be securely provided to you for easy access. Eliminating the hassle of papers and reducing our carbon footprint.
Dr. Reecha is a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ontario, therefore if your insurance covers naturopathic medicine, it will also cover virtual naturopathic consultations. It is always best to double-check your insurance plan for more information and confirm your coverage.
There are many benefits of virtual naturopathic consultations. The first is convenience. Virtual consults allow for more flexibility within your schedule. Whether you are at work or at home, you can easily book in with Dr. Reecha during a time that best fits your busy schedule. Virtual naturopathic services also eliminate commuting and waiting room times maximizing your time of care. This is particularly helpful if you live in a rural or remote area.
As a part of the team at Natural Route Health in Kingston, Dr. Reecha is able to offer all naturopathic services to patients, including in-person assessments and treatments through her amazing colleagues at the clinic. For example, if Dr. Reecha determines that acupuncture sessions will be beneficial for your case, she can offer this service through one of her fellow naturopaths at the clinic. This unique set up allows for patients to benefit from all naturopathic treatments and come into the office for any necessary physical examinations.
Booking and attending your virtual naturopathic appointment with Dr. Reecha is easy. You can book by either calling (613) 767-6982 or online via Outsmart. On the day of your appointment, check your email for a reminder. This reminder will contain instructions for you to log in on your computer or smartphone shortly before your appointment is scheduled to start. Once logged in, you’ll be directed to Dr. Reecha’s waiting room where she will call you when ready.
If you’re still not sure virtual consultations are right for you, book a FREE 15 minute Meet & Greet. You can meet with Dr. Reecha over the phone to find out if she is the right person to help you reach your health goals and how she can help you get to the root cause of your health concerns.
