Men: Here Are 4 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor as You Age

We’ve already highlighted why men shouldn’t put off going to the doctor, but what should you be asking once you get there? The older you get, the more conversations you should be having with your doctor. In honor of Men’s Health Month, we’ve outlined what health questions you need to be asking.

What Adjustments Can I Make to My Diet?

As you age, your dietary needs change. Depending on how your body has adjusted over time, you might need a higher amount of potassium, calcium, or fiber than you did in the past. It’s also important to eat less sodium and saturated fat as you get older to lower your risk for heart disease. If there are certain things you’re missing, you may need a supplement or multivitamin to bridge the nutrition gap. Talk to your doctor about his specific recommendations for your diet and supplements that won’t interact negatively with any medications you might be on.

 

Has Anything Major Changed Since My Last Visit?

Once you’ve been seeing your doctor regularly, it’s important to identify anything major that’s changed health-wise since your last appointment. Knowing how numbers like your blood pressure or blood sugar have changed is important – identifying trends like these early on can help you make the right lifestyle changes as soon as possible to reduce your risk of developing a more serious issue. If you know you have a family history of a certain issues, keeping a close eye on how your body has changed each visit can help you be as proactive as possible.

 

Should I Be Seeing Any Other Specialists?

Your primary care physician can give you a good base picture of your health, but combining his insights with information from other specialists can help you get an even more detailed idea of your overall wellness. For example, visiting an ophthalmologist each year can help you identify any vision issues. Depending on your lifestyle habits and family history, your doctor might recommend other types of specialists to see on a recurring basis.

 

What Men’s Health Screenings Should I Be Getting?

Different screenings are appropriate at different ages. If you aren’t sure where to begin, talk with your doctor. Based on your personal health history and your age, he can help plan what types of screenings you should be getting, when you should have them, and how often you should be scheduling them. This is one of the biggest ways you can be proactive about your health as you get older.

Men – what are some of the biggest lifestyle changes you’ve made as you’ve gotten older? Share your story with us in the comments.