"Eye Mistakes You Might Be Making"

 

ARE YOU OVERLOOKING YOUR EYES? They're easy to take for granted, but your vision is too important for that. It might be time to take a closer look at your eye-care routines to see if you’re doing more harm than good.

YOU DON'T GET ANNUAL EYE EXAMS: It’s a good idea to see your eye doctor each year to make sure all is well, especially once you’re over 40. They’ll check how well you can see, and they might put drops in your eyes to dilate, or widen, your pupils to help them to check for serious issues like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or macular degeneration.

How often you’ll get the drops depends on things like your:

• Age
• Overall health
• Family medical history

YOU IGNORE IRRITATED EYES: Red, watery eyes that itch or burn can be a telltale sign of allergies. But you may have an infection if they also:

• Hurt
• Feel gritty
• Are sensitive to light
• Have a thick or mucus-like discharge
• Have blurry vision that is new and not getting better

It’s important to see your eye doctor right away if you notice any of those symptoms. An untreated infection can damage your eyes. You can spread it to people around you, too.

YOU DON'T GET EYE INJURIES CHECKED OUT: Even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal, see your eye doctor as soon as possible if anything happens to your eyes. It’s especially important if you:

• Have trouble seeing
• Feel pain or discomfort in or around your eye
• Can’t open your eye
• See blood in the white of your eye
• Can’t move one eye as well as the other
• Notice that one pupil is larger or shaped differently than the other

YOU FORGET TO WEAR SUNGLASSES: Your "shades" protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Those rays can make you more likely to have cataracts at a younger age, macular degeneration, or a condition called pterygium (when tissue grows over the white part of your eye). Look for sunglasses that block out at least 99% of both UVA and UVB rays.

YOU RUB YOUR EYES: This can irritate them and damage blood vessels. It can also make whatever is troubling you worse. Your hands constantly pick up germs that don’t need to be anywhere near your peepers. Make sure your hands are clean if you need to touch your eyes.

YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON SCREENS: Getting up close and personal with your computer, tablet, or even your smartphone works your eye muscles. Long periods of screen time can make your eyes tired and cause headaches. The 20-20-20 rule is an easy way to keep that from happening: Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. And blink often to keep your eyes moist. At the office, anti-glare protection on your computer screen can help, too.

YOU SKIP CONTACT LENS CARE: To keep your eyes healthy, clean your contacts with the solution your doctor recommends -- never water or saliva -- and store them in a proper case. (Change out the case every 3 months.) It’s also really important to take them out before you go to bed. If you wear disposable ones, switch them out as your doctor recommends.

YOU SHOWER IN YOUR CONTACTS: A hot shower can feel great, but it’s not great for your contact lenses. They can mix with germs in the water, and that can lead to infection. To prevent any problems, take your lenses out before jumping in. Or if you have daily disposable lenses, make sure to throw them away afterward or at the end of the day.

YOU LEAVE MAKEUP ON: Leftover particles of mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow can fall into your eyes and lead to infection. It’s important to take off eye makeup completely every night. If your eyes are red and start to hurt, see your doctor right away.

YOU DON'T WEAR SAFETY GLASSES: The right protection is key to prevent eye injuries when you’re working around the house or playing sports. Depending on what you’re doing, you might need:

• Safety glasses or goggles
• A safety shield
• Eye guards

Before you start a new activity, do a bit of homework to make sure you cover all the bases to keep your eyes safe.

YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY: It’s important for your doctor to know if any eye conditions run in your family. That way, they'll check you for them regularly and start treatment right away if a problem comes up. For example, researchers think two of the most common causes of blindness -- glaucoma and macular degeneration -- could be linked to your genes.

YOU DON'T WEAR YOUR GLASSES: Your vision changes over time. Staying on top of those changes is key to keep your eyes healthy. Make sure your prescription is up to date or get a little help with fine print if you need it. “Readers” may be hard to keep up with, but they can help your eyes work better as you age.

YOU SMOKE: This can be as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. It can make you more likely to:

• Get cataracts
• Damage your optic nerve
• Have macular degeneration

All of those can lead to vision loss.

SOURCES:

National Eye Institute: “Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Itchy, Red Eyes? How To Tell If It’s Allergy or Infection. What To Consider Before You Self-Treat.”

Mayo Clinic: “Eye Injury: Tips To Protect Vision.”

National Eye Institute: “Keeping Your Eyes Healthy: Wear Sunglasses.”

American Optometric Association: “Top Eye Care Tips.”

Association of Optometrists: “Top Tips For Healthy Eyes.”

National Eye Institute: “Simple Tips For Healthy Eyes.”

American Academy of Ophthalmology: “Top 10 Tips To Save Your Vision.”

American Optometric Association: “Contact Lenses.”

CDC: “Healthy Contact Lens Wear.”

Center For Young Women’s Health: “Eye Health: Corrective Lenses, Glasses, and Contacts.”

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics: “Take Eye Makeup Off Before Bedtime.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Inherited Eye Disease.”

MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY: Nayana Ambardekar, MD, WebMD, on April 17, 2022

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Your Eyewear Guide for Vision, Sport, and Fashion”

 

SCREEN FATIGUE: COMPUTER LENSES: Screen time can be a key factor in choosing eyewear today, with 70% of daily computer users reporting eye strain. Computer glasses may ease the blur.  Manufacturers say they help your eyes adapt to electronic words and images, typically viewed farther away than a book. Look for anti-reflective coating and consider a tint to reduce glare from harsh overhead lighting.

PRESBYOPIA: READERS - Fine print seems to shrink as we age. What really happens is presbyopia -- the eye loses its ability to change focus. Reading glasses can help bring blurry print into sharp focus. You can buy "readers" at many stores. But if you need different strengths for each eye, require bifocals, or have an oddly shaped eye -- called astigmatism -- see an eye care professional.

NEARSIGHTEDNESS: ON THE RISE - If it seems like more people wear glasses at younger ages, you're right. Myopia, blurry distance vision, has been on the rise since the '70s. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is less common. Both require corrective lenses.  It's a myth that getting glasses will make your eyes weak - as long as you are wearing glasses with the proper prescription. People may need stronger vision correction as they age. But that happens whether or not you wear glasses.

COKE-BOTTLE LENSES: NEW TECHNOLOGY - Do you avoid a new prescription for fear of thick glasses and a "bug-eye" look?  Ask your eye care provider about high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than traditional lenses.  You also may consider aspheric lenses, which are thinned out on the sides. Lenses can be both aspheric and high index. Both can help you avoid a thick, unflattering shape.

BIFOCALS AND BEYOND: Do you need different glasses to watch TV and to read? You may be a candidate for multifocal lenses. Bifocals have an area at the bottom for reading. The rest is for distance. Trifocals add a middle zone for vision 18 to 24 inches away, handy for computers. Progressive lenses, or "no-line bifocals," offer a gradual shift in strength -- invisible to your younger co-workers.

RISKY GAMES: POLYCARBONATE LENSES - A racquetball travels between 100 and 150 mph. Imagine the force of that ball hitting you in the eye! Your best protection is sports frames with polycarbonate plastic lenses. They're 10 times stronger than other materials and polycarbonate material has the benefit of built-in UV protection as well. Sports with the most eye injuries include all racket sports, baseball/softball, ice hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. Protective eyewear could prevent 90% of sports-related eye injuries so it is strongly recommended.

ADVANTAGE: YELLOW LENSES - If you're wearing sunglasses for sports, consider colored lenses that may enhance vision for your particular sport. Yellow lenses may help in low light or haze to provide a sharper image. They're popular with skiers and snowboarders, cyclists, and indoor athletes like basketball players and racquetball players.

ADVANTAGE: GREEN LENSES - Green lenses may heighten contrast while still keeping the balance of colors. They're popular for golf and baseball. Golfers say the green lenses make the ball stand out on the green. It's not yet clear that one lens color has the edge over another, so try before you buy. Many stores have samples to try with simulated light to see what color might work for you.

WHEN DO YOU NEED AN EYE TEST? Getting the newest lens technology starts with an eye test. You should have an exam at least every two years -- to be sure your glasses are the right prescription and to look for medical issues. An exam can find cataracts and glaucoma, as well as illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, aneurysms, HIV, and cancer. Signs of disease may be visible in, on, or around the eyes long before symptoms appear.

WARNING SIGNS OF EYE TROUBLE: Call your eye doctor right away for any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden appearance of floaters in your vision
• Partial loss of vision
• Sudden eye pain or redness
• Scratchy, irritated feeling
• Blurriness or cloudiness
• Flashes of light

Little cobwebs or specks that move in your vision may be harmless floaters. But it's best to see a doctor with any concerns.

MATCH EYEWEAR TO YOUR LIFE: Start with practical considerations when choosing eyewear. If you tend to crush things in your purse, remember that metal frames bend (and can be repaired), but plastics break. You should never leave glasses in a hot car, but could it happen to you? Plastic frames warp and can't be fixed. Metal frames just get really hot. If you don't like glasses or need peripheral vision for sports, contacts are a great alternative.

FRAMED: FLATTER YOUR FACE - When picking glasses, have your prescription in hand and consider these guidelines:

• Smaller frames hide a strong prescription.
• Contrast flatters the face shape. For example, squarish frames on a round face.
• Strong, dark frames draw attention away from features you don't like (a chubby chin).
• Cat's-eye frames that point up at the corners can give the appearance of a mini facelift.
• Color can blend with your hair and eyes, or contrast for a bigger statement.

FRAMED: FOR BUSINESS - If you work in a traditional field, think about titanium, stainless steel, or rimless frames for a professional look. For men, consider frames in brown, black, silver, or gunmetal. They're conservative colors and easy to match with professional clothes. For women, consider black, brown, silver, burgundy, and golden tones for the same reason. Tortoise-shell tones also are a classic.

FRAMED: GET CREATIVE - Show off your creative fashion sense with interesting metal or plastic frames in unusual colors and unique designs. Look for geometric shapes, contemporary larger frames, multi-color laminates, prints (animal and flower), or lasered details. Retro and vintage styling -- ranging from cat's-eyes to aviators to mod fashions -- also are back in style.

FRAMED: GEMS, WOOD, HORN, AND MORE - If you want your personality to shine, look for trendy frame materials. You can find frames in wood, bone, and even buffalo horn. Show flair with gold (yes, real gold) frames or frames decked out in crystals or semi-precious or precious stones. Some frames are leather or wrapped in velvet. You may even find frames adorned in feathers, for an airy statement of your personal style.

SUNGLASSES: A CLOUDY DAY MUST - Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can pass through clouds, so sunglasses are a must -- sunny and cloudy day alike. Sand, snow, water, and your car's windshield all reflect extra light and call for eye protection. Look for sunglasses with 99% or 100% UVA and UVB blocking. As an added benefit, sunglasses help protect the tender skin around your eyes and may help prevent cataracts. Bonus fact:  driving exposes you to a lot of UV too, so consider a clear UV film for your car‘s side windows (front shields all have good protection).

GOODBYE GLARE: POLARIZED LENSES - Sunglasses with polarized lenses are popular with people who spend time on the water or in the snow because they cut glare from reflected surfaces. And they've been adopted by many others who like a glare-free view. Anti-reflective coatings fight glare, too. Mirror-coated lenses have a purpose beyond their style: They limit light coming into the eye, great for very bright conditions.

BLUE BLOCKERS: CLARITY AND SLEEP - Blue blockers usually have amber-colored lenses. They block blue light, which has been linked to eye strain. Because they also heighten contrast, they're popular with hunters, pilots, boaters, and skiers. Blue light also suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone. At least one study showed that people who wore blue blockers in the morning slept better at night.

SOMETHING SHADY: PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES - When you need glasses but don't want to also buy prescription sunglasses, photochromic lenses are an option. They're clear indoors and darken automatically in bright sunlight. They block 100% of harmful UV rays and are handy for kids, who play outdoors a lot. One downside: They don't darken in a car; most windshields filter out the UV rays that trigger the color change.

HOW DOES THE SUN DAMAGE YOUR EYES? As we age, the odds of developing cataracts -- cloudiness of the eye's lens -- increase. Wearing sunglasses may delay cataracts. Sunglasses also may protect against macular degeneration (a disease of aging that harms central vision) and growths on the eye, both benign and cancerous. After cataract surgery, polarized glasses -- even indoors -- may reduce discomfort from glare.

DON'T SKIMP ON KIDS' SUN PROTECTION: Children need sunglasses just as much as adults do, maybe more -- because they're outside more often than adults are and their eyes are more sensitive. Make sure kids' sunglasses offer the same UV protection that you'd look for in an adult pair. Although 2/3 of adults buy sunglasses for their children, only 13% check to make sure they protect against UV rays. Think of sunglasses like “sunscreen for your child’s eyes”

SCREEN TIME AND CHILDREN'S VISION: Do your kids have their noses glued to the computer or video game system? Get them outside. Some studies show that children who spend a lot of time on the computer or doing other up-close work, even reading, have a higher rate of myopia than other kids. And kids who spend a lot of time outside have lower rates of myopia. Pediatricians recommend no more than two hours a day of screen time for kids.

PROTECTING EYES ON THE JOB: Research shows 2,000 people each year have eye-related injuries on the job. About 90% of them might have been prevented by wearing eye protection. Eye injuries are caused by chemicals, foreign objects in the eye, steam burns, radiation exposure, and contagious diseases. Nonprescription safety eyewear offers good protection.  It must have nonremovable lenses and be permanently marked with "Z87."

UNDERWATER VISION: GOGGLES - When swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving with beautiful undersea creatures, using prescription glasses or contact lenses can be tricky. One option: goggles or scuba masks custom-made for your vision. You may need a slightly different prescription for underwater use, because goggles can sit a little closer to your eyes than regular lenses, and a mask sits further away.

MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY: Whitney Seltman, OD on December 21, 2020, WebMD

REFERENCES:

All About Vision: "Aspheric Lenses for Better Vision and Appearance," "Bifocals and Trifocals: Solutions for 'Short Arms,' " "Choosing Eyeglasses That Suit Your Personality and Lifestyle," "Computer Glasses: Relieving Computer Eye Strain," Computer Vision Syndrome and Computer Glasses FAQ, "Eyeglass Frame Materials," "High Index Lenses are Thin and Light," "Polarized Lenses," "Reading Glasses," "Scuba Diving Masks and Swim Goggles," "Sunglasses: Frequently Asked Questions," "Ten Warning Signs of Age-Related Eye Problems," "Your Guide to Sports Sunglass Lens Tints."
American Academy of Ophthalmology: "Sunglasses: Protection from UV Damage."
American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, February 2001.
American Optometric Association: "Healthy Vision on the Job Is Everyone's Business," "Keep an Eye on Harmful UV Rays," "Protecting Your Eyes at Work."
Andrea Thau, optometrist, spokesperson for the American Optometric Association; associate clinical professor, SUNY College Optometry.
Archives of Ophthalmology, 2004.
Bryant, Gaye, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC, Eye Consultants of Atlanta.
Butson, S. Optometry, 2002.
CDC: "Skin Cancer: Prevention."
Davis, F. Championship Racquetball, Human Kinetics, 2011.
Family Doctor: "Eye Problems."
David O. Meldrum, LDO, Eye Consultants of Atlanta.
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health: "Sports-Related Eye Injuries: What You Need to Know and Tips for Prevention," "Facts About Aging-Related Macular Degeneration," "Facts About Cataract," "Facts About  Floaters," "Myopia on the Rise in the U.S. Population."
Rose, K. Ophthalmology, August 2008.
Sasseville, A. Chronobiology International, July 2009.
Seang-Mei, S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, February 2002.
TASCO: "The New ANSI Z87.1-2003 Standard."
University of Illinois at Chicago: "Presbyopia, Why Bifocals?"
University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary: "Vision Myths."
West, K. Journal of Applied Physiology, March 2011.
Wolffshon, J. Optometry and Vision Science, February 2000.

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Do You Know Your Health Stats?”

 

Are you one of those guys that ranks going to the doctor right up there with an IRS audit? You might be happy to know that the yearly checkup is now a thing of the past. But you should still see your doctor from time to time to make sure you’re healthy. During a well-visit, you'll get tests to screen for problems that are common for guys your age. If everything under the hood is normal, you'll check back in every couple years to make sure you're in good running order. These are the tests you can expect to have during your 40s, 50s, and 60s.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK: The cuff squeezing your arm measures the blood flow in your arteries during and between heartbeats. If your reading is 120/80 or lower, you're in the normal range. If repeat checks are 140/90 or more, your pressure is high. That means you’re more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. You can lower your numbers with meds or by eating more healthy food and exercising. Get It Done: Every year.

CHOLESTEROL TEST: Your doctor takes a small sample of your blood to check levels of this gunk in your system. It’s a prime cause of heart disease. What’s normal? A total score below 200. That means your “good” (HDL) cholesterol is 60 or above and the “bad” (LDL) cholesterol is below 100. What’s not so great? A total score above 240 or a “good” reading below 40 and a “bad” of 160 or higher. Your doctor will talk to you about treatment. You may need meds, or you might be able to change your numbers with better food and more physical activity. Get It Done: Every 5 years.

BLOOD SUGAR TEST: This reads the amount of sugar in your body after you haven’t eaten for 8 hours. It’s called your fasting blood sugar. A score of 100 or lower is normal. A reading of 126 or higher means diabetes. The middle ground is prediabetes. If you catch and treat high blood sugar at this stage, you may not get the disease. Get It Done: Every 3 years beginning at age 45.

COLON CANCER SCREENING: This often catches growths called polyps in your colon before they become cancer. A colonoscopy looks at the inside of your large intestine, where cancer forms. If you can't have that test, you might have a fecal occult blood test, which checks for blood in your stool. Another option is a sigmoidoscopy, which looks at part of your large intestine. Get It Done: In your 40s: Only if you have a family history of colon cancer. In your 50s and 60s: Every 10 years (colonoscopy), yearly (fecal occult), or every 5 years (sigmoidoscopy).

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI): This isn’t a test, but your doctor will get the number based on your height and weight. If it's between 18.5 and 24.9, you're in the normal range. If it's between 25 and 29.9, you're overweight. A score of 30 or more means you're obese. Those extra pounds can lead to heart problems and nasty diseases like diabetes, so your doctor will probably talk to you about losing some weight if your BMI is 25 or higher. Get It Done: Every time you see the doctor.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING: You're at high risk for lung cancer if you're a heavy smoker (or you were but you’ve quit within the last 15 years) and you're 55 or older. The doctor may start with a low-dose CT scan of your chest. This test creates an image of the inside of your body. It can spot lung cancer early when it's easier to treat. Get It Done: Every year starting at age 55 if you smoke heavily or did anytime in the last 15 years.

HIV TEST: About 20% of people with HIV don't know they have it. IV drug users, people who don't practice safe sex, and men who have sex with men are most likely to get it. The test is simple. A doctor will take your blood or swab your mouth for saliva and send it to a lab. Get It Done: Once at least. You can have it again if think you’ve been exposed to the virus.

HEPATITIS C TEST: The CDC says everyone born between 1945 and 1965 should get a blood test to check for the hep C virus. It’s spread by contact with the blood of someone who has it. Most people get it from a dirty needle, either in a health care setting or from injecting street drugs. It can cause a liver infection and, if left untreated, liver cancer. You can have it for years and not know it. Get It Done: Once. You can repeat it if you think you’ve been exposed to the disease.

MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY: Michael Dansinger, MD, WebMD on June 22, 2021

SOURCES:

Robert L. Wergin, MD, president, American Academy of Family Physicians, Milford, NE.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: “Screening for High Blood Pressure in Adults.”

American Heart Association: “Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.”

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: “Final Recommendation Statement: Lipid Disorders in Adults (Cholesterol, Dyslipidemia): Screening, June 2008.”

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: “How is High Blood Cholesterol Diagnosed?”

American Diabetes Association: “Diagnosing Diabetes and Learning About Prediabetes,” “Routine Diabetes Screening, Early Intervention Needed.”

Mayo Clinic: “Fecal Occult Blood Test.”

American Cancer Society: “Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer.”

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: “Final Recommendation Statement: Colorectal cancer: Screening, October 2008,” “Lung Cancer Screening.”

Mayo Clinic: “CT Scan: What to Expect,” “HIV/AIDS: Tests and Diagnosis.”

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: “"Final Recommendation Statement: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening, April 2013."

CDC: “Hepatitis C FAQs for the Public,” “Testing Recommendations for Hepatitis C Virus Infection,” “About BMI for Adults.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Why Are Men Less Likely to See a Doctor?”

 

When Armin Brott began having tingling and tremors in his hands, he wasn’t very concerned. After decades of practicing full-contact martial arts, he knew how to live with discomfort. It was nothing that Advil and some stretching couldn’t fix -- or so he thought. His symptoms worsened, eventually becoming unbearable. After he saw a doctor, an X-ray and MRI showed that he had severe spinal compression and needed emergency neck surgery. “My response is typical of many men who don’t go to the doctor, even when they have serious symptoms, or take good care of their health,” Brott, who is the senior editor of the Talking About Men’s Health blog and a member of the board of advisers of the Men’s Health Network, tells WebMD. This was the case, even though I’ve been writing about and researching men’s health for decades and one might think I ‘should’ know better,” Brott says. But the same behaviors and approaches that affect other men affected him as well.

These male patterns of seeking -- or not seeking -- help for medical problems were apparent in a study done by the insurance company Aflac in April 2021 and published in June in conjunction with Men’s Health Month. The study surveyed 1,000 U.S. men ages 18 years and above and found that, in the past year, almost half (45%) had not visited a family doctor or general practitioner for an annual wellness visit or checkup. Even more concerning, three-quarters had not gone to the doctor even if they had symptoms of a specific illness, 84% had not consulted a doctor about an injury, and over half (54%) had not gone to a dentist for a routine dental exam. Sterling Ransone Jr., MD, a family doctor in in Deltaville, VA, tells WebMD that the findings reflect what he has seen in his own clinical experience. “I’ve had the general impression that I see more women in my practice in the course of a day, compared to men, but I never actually sat down and quantitated it. After reading the survey, I did and saw that only approximately 30% of my patients are men,” he says. Brott, who is the author of several books about men’s health and parenting, including Blueprint for Men’s Health, agrees. "This survey reflects data that have been around for a long time, showing men’s disproportionately low use of health care."

‘MAJOR DISCONNECT’

Jeramy Tipton, a senior vice president at Aflac, tells WebMD that the company wanted to “bring attention to issues affecting men, awareness of health issues, motivations for men to seek medical attention, and barriers to doing so.” The survey findings were striking in the “major disconnect” between the perception of respondents and the actual lifestyles they lead,” he says. Although 90% reported they lead a “somewhat” or “very” healthy lifestyle, the reality is that close to half have had not seen a doctor for the past 12 months and only one-third agreed that they felt “well-informed” of the various illnesses and ailments that commonly affect men, Tipton notes. Part of the reason for the survey was to shine a spotlight on men’s “lack of awareness and education” about their health, including the importance of early detection of some major illnesses.

EARLY MESSAGING

A small number of survey participants (6%) acknowledged that going to the doctor makes them “feel less masculine.” Will Courtenay, PhD, a California-based psychotherapist and author of Dying to Be Men, a book for medical and mental health professionals about counseling men and boys, suggests there is a belief held by many men: “I’m a real man because I don’t need a doctor.” Men who believe this may think that needing help means admitting defeat. Ransone, who is the president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), agrees. “You may be told that you have hypertension or diabetes and need help controlling your blood pressure or blood sugar, and some men see help-seeking as a failure and are embarrassed,” he says. But where do these ideas come from? According to Brott, these messages are taught to boys at a very early age. “It starts with ‘big boys don’t cry,’ and -- as the boy gets older and perhaps joins a sports team -- the message is to ‘man up’ or ‘take one for the team.’ Eventually, these external messages become internalized,” Brott says. But the problem goes beyond the perspective that seeking help isn’t a “manly” thing to do, Courtenay notes. “It has to do with how health care and healthy habits have been feminized in this country, so guys often worry that they’ll be seen as less than a man if they are concerned about their health,” he says. It also has to do with another message men receive, which is that men don’t talk about what’s going on inside them, according to Ransone. “Men are socialized not to be communicative about themselves, including their physical health issues, and think, ‘I can push through this on my own.’”

MEN’S HEALTH IS A WOMEN’S ISSUE

Nearly half of the respondents (44%) in the Aflac survey admitted that they were persuaded by their life partner (wife/girlfriend or husband/boyfriend) to visit the doctor. But women, in particular, had the strongest influence, with over half (56%) of men reporting that it was their wife, girlfriend, or mother who motivated them to get medical help. Ransone, who is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine and population health at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, has seen this in his own practice. “I can’t think of a single time a male patient talked his female partner into coming into my office with a health concern, but I can think of many men whose female partners convinced them to come,” he says. Ransone recounted the story of a male patient who came to see him for a checkup. “The examination was fine, and I detected nothing out of the ordinary,” he recalls. But the patient’s wife called an hour later, sounding worried. It turned out that her husband had been having pain symptoms on and off that he had not shared with Ransone during the appointment. “I managed to reach the patient, and he admitted that he was embarrassed to bring his concerns up to me. If his wife hadn’t persisted, I never would have known,” he says. So, it is important for women to be proactive and persistent in persuading partners to get medical help, Ransone says. Brott acknowledges that women already have “plenty to do in their own lives” and that it’s “unfortunate” that another responsibility is being placed upon them. But “men’s health is a women’s issue, and men’s health affects the entire family. If women want the men in their lives to remain alive, they may have to take a more active role.”

PERSUADE, DON’T LECTURE OR NAG

A significant number of survey respondents (43%) said they have argued with someone, either family or friends, about going to the doctor, while a third said they have argued with their life partner about it. Disturbingly, 42% of respondents said they have withheld information about their health from family or friends -- particularly women -- to avoid an argument, which “points to the very important fact that the persuasion must be done skillfully,” Courtenay says. “There is lots of research on how people change unhealthy behavior. If people aren't ready to change -- and more men than women aren't ready -- pressuring a man will only make him dig in his heels and stubbornly resist” says Courtenay. “The problem is pushing him to take action before he’s ready. So, you just want to help him to start thinking about going to the doctor.” He recommends that women provide “lots of information and education, since women are a lot smarter than men about health” -- but with an important caveat. The education should be delivered “without pressure, and never, ever preaching or nagging,” he emphasizes. Ransone says the same approach applies to doctors as well. The Aflac survey found that 14% of respondents admitted they are not completely honest with their doctor about their lifestyle habits (for example, alcohol use, smoking, or exercise), and 12% said they held back information for fear of being lectured. “We all have patients who are overweight or are smokers, and we have to be careful and sensitive how we address these topics with them because what we -- from a medical standpoint -- perceive as being ‘assistive,’ they might see as ‘lecturing’ and might avoid getting care from us because of it,” Ransone says.

COST CONCERNS

Other barriers reported by respondents were that going to a doctor is inconvenient and it is easier to go to a walk-in urgent care facility or emergency clinic (22%). And about 13% of respondents said they were too busy with work to see the doctor. The high cost of medical care was another concern, with 45% of respondents saying they postponed or avoided medical treatment in some form due to costs within the past 12 months. This included not pursuing doctor-recommended health screenings and follow-up treatments and/or not filling a prescription medication after a medical consultation for a health problem. “From a barrier perspective, high medical cost is something we feel we can help with,” Tipton says. “Many of our policies provide benefits for going to the doctor for health screenings, for example.” He notes that 10% of respondents said they would be motivated to see a doctor if they directly received a cash benefit as part of the insurance claim. Ransone says that one of the benefits of a relationship with a trusted primary care doctor is that it can help overcome many barriers in help-seeking, often including financial ones. He recounted the story of a patient with worrisome symptoms who delayed having a medical consultation for 9 months out of concern for the high cost of medical treatment and potentially losing his job if the condition would turn out to be serious. Eventually, the patient’s wife convinced him to come for an appointment, and the condition was indeed serious: He had cancer. “We all know that medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., and people are understandably worried, but our office has a program where we can waive fees for a certain amount of time if a person loses insurance, for example, and we might have been able to be helpful,” Ransone says. Talking to a trusted provider is a starting point. Hopefully, you can be pointed toward financial resources, and any treatment you need can begin long before an illness becomes too advanced to treat, Ransone says.

A REASSURING MESSAGE

One way to read the survey findings is by focusing on what is positive and encouraging, Courtenay says. “Let’s remember that over half of the respondents -- 55% -- did visit a family doctor or general practitioner for an annual checkup or wellness visit in the last year, which is actually very good news that we should be talking about as well.” “One of the problems with the old maxim that ‘men don’t go to the doctor’ is that it becomes a dictum, and men hear that as they shouldn’t go to the doctor, that men don’t do that,” he continues. In fact, Courtenay’s research suggests that while most men are concerned about their health, they think that most other men aren’t, and the “problem with this misperception is that it discourages men from taking charge of their health.” So, one way of correcting this misperception is by “accurately educating men about the fact that, increasingly, men are seeking help from medical and mental health professionals,” he says. Brott adds that, on a policy level, laws should be passed and funded to create an office of men’s health, to “do what the Office of Women’s Health has done for years -- encourage women to get regular breast exams and pap tests, for example.” This will both educate men about male health concerns and normalize the need for men to pay attention to their health and be proactive in caring for it, Brott says.

BY: Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, WebMD, July 6,  2021

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