Never complain, no matter how painful it is. Don’t admit that you’re worried about your health. Hide the nasty “K-word”. After all, the body is a machine that works: Even in 2011, most men still avoid doctors and check-up appointments. As if they suffered primarily from a typical male waiting room phobia. Men give away five years of their lifetime by overexploiting their health Women have had this suspicion for a long time, as the “First German Men’s Health Report” by the Men’s Health Foundation in Berlin has now proven. According to this, four out of five men rate their health as good or even excellent. A fatal misjudgment: your current life expectancy is only 77.6 years, that of women 82.7. The Bielefeld medical statistician Prof. Doris Bardehle, editor of the report, says: “Because they are very busy at work, many men eat unhealthily, smoke, drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed to a genetic component in life expectancy. Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. Doris Bardehle, editor of the report: “Because they are very busy at work, many men eat unhealthily, smoke, drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy .
Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. Doris Bardehle, editor of the report: “Because they are very busy at work, many men eat unhealthily, smoke, drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy . Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. “Because they are very busy at work, many men eat unhealthily, smoke, drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy. Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time.
Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. “Because they are very busy at work, many men eat unhealthily, smoke, drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy. Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of preventive medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy. Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time.
Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. drink too much alcohol and generally don’t think much of preventive medical check-ups.” Just a few years ago, scientists believed in a genetic component in life expectancy. Age researchers now assume that the genetic material is just one year old. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. The remaining reasons lie mainly with the men themselves, in their lifestyle and also in their environment. “Their stressful and unhealthy lifestyle has been going well for a relatively long time. Men only go to the doctor when the first symptoms appear, such as high blood pressure or a chronic cough,” says Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg.
Not even every fourth person goes to a check-up
This leads to bitter consequences. Between the ages of 40 and 50, men are five times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women. A recent study by the German Institute for Human Nutrition in Potsdam found that their higher alcohol consumption is responsible for one in ten cases of cancer, but only for one in 33 in women. The risk of obesity in 45-year-old men is 33 percent higher than in women because they eat too much meat and fat and not enough fruit and vegetables. They also have worse teeth. Young men between the ages of 20 and 25 are particularly reluctant to drill, according to a new study by the Barmer replacement fund. And men are largely prevention-resistant. Hardly one in four takes the chance to detect colorectal cancer in the early stages by means of a colonoscopy. The data for internal check-ups from the age of 35 or skin cancer screening look similarly bad. For many, undergoing procedures such as a colonoscopy or prostate exam may seem unmanly or gross.
For many doctors, men’s health is a medical no man’s land
Her soul is bad too. Men are increasingly turning to drugs, alcohol or committing suicide. “Their suicide rate is at least three to four times that of women,” says social scientist Dr. Anne Maria Möller-Leimkuehler from the Munich University Hospital. They often turn down offers of help. Man doesn’t want to be a wimp. “The more pronounced his traditional role model, the less willing he is to be treated for a mental disorder,” says Möller-Leimkuhler. This also applies to check-ups and visits to the doctor. In fact, many boys learn from their fathers that Native Americans don’t know pain, learn to be cool instead of cry, show strength instead of weakness. In addition, there is a shortcoming of modern medicine. “Men not only neglect themselves, they are also neglected,” explains Prof. Doris Bardehle. Because doctors still know too little about male problems such as hormonal fluctuations. There is a lack of information on the Internet and after-hours consultation hours for men. And men’s doctors are few and far between, while girls go to the gynecologist as a matter of course at the age of twelve. By the way: The package inserts for medicines are purely for men. The right dose, side effects – all tested exclusively on male subjects.
checks for him:
Check-up 35 Men over the age of 35 can have their heart, kidneys and circulation checked and tested for diabetes every two years. Check blood pressure yourself more often!
Skin cancer screening From the age of 35, a dermatologist should check the skin for suspicious changes every two years in order to detect cancer early. The cash registers cover the costs.
Prostate check From the age of 45, health insurance pays for a palpation examination once a year. Better: an ultrasound scan. You have to pay around 40 euros out of your own pocket.
Colonoscopy From the age of 55, health insurance pays for the examination of the colon with an endoscope. Polyps, which can lead to cancer, are removed in the process. Ten years later, a second check. However, experts recommend a five-year cycle. Cost: from 200 euros.
Tooth check A free inspection of the teeth, periodontium, mucous membrane, chewing muscles and jaw twice a year.
Dr An interview with Waltraud Pfarrer
“Don’t patronize him”
Tolfioow spoke to Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer, specialist in psychosomatic medicine in Hamburg. Her tip for getting a man to have a check-up: “Don’t patronize him.”
Tolfioow: Can a woman motivate her husband to visit the doctor by offering him a reward for his bravery, such as tickets to a football game?
dr Pastor: No, what may still work with children will certainly fail with your partner. It makes him rather angry because he doesn’t feel that he is taken seriously. It would be better to show genuine interest in his health. Before and after your doctor’s visit, ask him how he is and talk to him about the test results.
Do mothering requests like “Darling, do some sport again” help?
No, you don’t covet your own mother. In order not to endanger the partnership, women must hold back with such admonitions! Take your time and talk seriously, without accusations, about topics such as exercise, nutrition or preventive care. Do not use “you” messages such as “you should exercise more”. Instead, say, “I’d like to start exercising with you more often.”
And how does a rigorous “Tomorrow we’re going to the doctor work. I made an appointment!”?
Your husband is not your son! If you want to avoid arguments, you should neither ignore nor patronize them. Put it this way: “May I make an appointment for you?” Make it clear to him that you love him and that you are concerned about his health. Tell him that you are happy if he goes for regular check-ups.
Is it even possible to arouse men’s interest in health?
If he knows that other men think the topic is important, his interest also increases. Encourage mutual friends to talk openly about health issues and issues. And all friends and colleagues to also speak openly in their families and to try to find solutions together with the men. Ask your husband to be a good role model for the children, also in matters of health. Develop a concept together to make it easier for the sons as men to live healthier lives.
