For men, staying healthy and happy does require a little more knowledge and effort than most would like to put forth on a regular basis. But keeping up with preventative maintenance and the staples of a healthy lifestyle is well worth it to say the least. Additionally, there are plenty of gender specific issues that many men will experience throughout their lives and it is important to be equipped and prepared to cross any of those bridges when the time comes.
A Proactive Approach is Key
Male sexual health rates among the top health concerns with men over 40, competing among men with back pain as the #1 non-life threatening, or quality of life, health concern. Male sexual health is a term which encompasses a variety of conditions including erectile dysfunction (ED), low testosterone (Low-T), Premature Ejaculation (PE) and Low Sex Drive. Dr. Christopher Asandra of NuMale Medical Center has found patients respond fast to the therapy that will be offered by his group, saying of the treatments, “Regardless of age and/or pre-existing medical conditions, we can successfully treat almost every patient. Our treatments are specifically customized to each individual and patients almost always see results after their first office visit. Even after a man reaches climax, with our treatments he will be able to stay erect and continue to perform and satisfy his partner. Our doctors strive to ensure every patient can feel and perform at their best. We are excited to finally offer these innovative therapies to the Omaha area.”
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 33 million men in the United States alone, and low testosterone (Low-T) affects an additional 13 million men in the US. Up to 1/3 of diabetics suffer from Low-T.
NuMale Medical Center offers a unique approach for those suffering at any level from conditions affecting male sexual performance and fulfillment, with a tailored treatment approach designed for each patient’s needs which takes into consideration any already existing medical conditions. NuMale Medical Center will also be offering hair restoration with the revolutionary NeoGraft™ hair transplant system. The NeoGraft™ is a ‘state of the art’ solution for hair loss and the first minimally invasive automatic hair transplant system. It is the first FDA approved automated hair transplant device utilizing the FUE (follicular unit extraction) method. Benefits over traditional methods include no linear scar on the back of the scalp, no incision, improved outcomes, and faster recovery time.
NuMale Medical Center is offering new patients a $99 consultation to introduce their focused set of services to Nebraska men. In addition to this, the doctors at NuMale Medical Center will offer the revolutionary Priapus Shot™ which uses the body’s own platelet rich plasma (PRP) to rejuvenate and enlarge the penis.
It is very important for men to pay attention to what their bodies are trying to tell them, and to be aware of what is normal vs. abnormal. Therapydia Omaha owner Adam Brockmeier, DPT, offers the following advice for men based upon his specific expertise:
“As a Physical Therapist I see and treat injuries in men of all ages and all types. Men tend to participate in more aggressive activities such as weight lifting, contact sports, and yard work, although women are becoming much more present in these activities. Men also tend to be more aggressive and competitive in their approach but yet less aggressive in seeking out care for their injury. Being aware of signs and symptoms that may require you to seek out a health care professional vs. self-treatment is very key to sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Some easily recognizable symptoms to seek additional care would be pain lasting longer than 24 hours, noticeable bruising and/or swelling, inability to bear weight, or deformity of the area such as what occurs with a dislocation.
Head injuries and concussions are also higher in the male gender mostly due to football and rugby being played ‘mostly’ by males. As a medical community we are becoming much more aware of abnormal signs and symptoms following head trauma and becoming much more proactive in the treatment of the athlete. The old adage of ‘shake it off’ needs to be abandoned and coaches, parents, and health care professionals are becoming more aware of the serious effects of this injury.
At Therapydia Omaha I treat individuals following injury whether or not their primary care physician (PCP) has referred them. Many times an athlete or weekend warrior will come in to be evaluated and a course of treatment will be established and their medical team will be notified if any abnormal findings show up in my evaluation. After a concussion their PCP most often refers the athlete to physical therapy. My role is to treat the athlete with a graded exercise program which may include vestibular/balance rehabilitation, treatment of neck or back pain, and progressed in that program to return to sport specific tasks and return to play when they are asymptomatic and cleared by their treating physician.
One final group or injury that is common to males is that of baseball pitchers and sustained injury to their shoulder or elbow. I work with the athlete on returning them to play by developing a comprehensive program for shoulder strengthening, core stabilization exercise, joint mobility, and work on their throwing mechanics using motion capture software. Not only do they return to the field with elimination of their pain, but also with improved velocity and accuracy of their pitches and a much lower risk for re-injury.
At Therapydia Omaha I offer group classes to include Tai Chi, Total Fit, and Total Conditioning in addition to physical therapy. I am also able to provide Dry Needling, which is a very powerful and effective tool to treat musculoskeletal injury and chronic pain. DN works by disruption of a trigger point, which will reset a dysfunctional muscle and we then, re-load or reboot that muscle with appropriate corrective measures.”
Dan Peterson, owner of Cornerstone Fitness, adds, “Medicine is a blessing and can treat many illnesses, but why not try to avoid those illnesses all together? Why not avoid paying for those drugs and a high premium health insurance plan, just because you are at a greater risk due to poor health? Put yourself on a path to a better, healthier you with regular exercise and good nutrition.
For a majority of men, staying on top of their health and wellness is fairly simple and yet almost always ignored until it’s too late. Aside from trauma, heart disease is the leading cause of death among American men. Exercise is the best way to prevent heart disease, not to mention it will keep that ticker strong much longer. Try to set a goal for 30 minutes of constant movement at least five days per week. Some of the best exercise is aerobic including walking, jogging, swimming, or such sports as tennis or basketball.
A quick way to determine if your health is at risk is to measure your waist. A waist measurement that is 40 inches or more could be cause for concern. Men with large waists are generally at a higher risk for such diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and other diseases.
One recommendation is a daily dose of multivitamins, which can help ensure your body gets what it needs to function on a daily basis. However, eating vitamin rich foods serves up extra benefits; include plenty of fiber and minerals. I recommend trying and doing both. Pack your meals with vitamin rich foods but go ahead and keep taking your daily vitamin.
At Cornerstone Fitness we will take the time to sit down with you and learn what your current habits are and tailor a program designed specifically for you. We offer education on your daily exercise regiments as well as discussing your nutrition. We can show you how to make exercise fun and enjoyable all while consuming its benefits. We can also show you how to effectively change your diet without making it bland or unappealing. Stop in today for your free consultation.”
Nutrition is another key factor in reaching your fitness goals as well as maintaining good health and continued wellness. Max Muscle offers customized nutritional planning, taking into account your gender as well as other factors such as age, height, weight, body fat percentage, activity level, and workout schedule. This allows them to tailor a nutrition plan to fit your metabolic requirements and lifestyle. The team at Max Muscle is composed of experienced and educated professionals who will provide you with the best customer service and knowledge in the business. Steve Lucchino, the Omaha Metro store director, and Jason Reese, the Papillion store director, offer a combined 14+ years of experience to offer their customers and employees. Lucchino emphasizes that they won’t just sell you a product at Max Muscle. On the contrary, they will work with you to find out the solutions you actually need to meet and maintain your health and fitness goals. For men over 30, they also have the most scientifically-backed natural and safe testosterone booster on the market. Within 30 days you will feel years younger in terms of your libido, performance, strength, recovery, and endurance!
Sedation Dentistry Can Save You Time & Money
Statistics show men are less likely than women to visit a healthcare provider each year. But, regular preventive healthcare can help men (and women, too) live a long and healthy life. In addition to living longer and healthier catching dental problems early usually means less invasive and costly treatments. Men with gum disease or periodontal disease are more prone to having a stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and run a higher risk of developing diabetes. The most common reason men avoid going to the dentist is anxiety or fear of going to the dentist. Anxiety around dental visits is very common, and some men are embarrassed to admit they have a fear of going to the dentist. Premier Dental offers sedation dentistry for a more relaxed and comfortable visit. It doesn’t matter whether it’s been 5, 10 or 20 years since your last dental visit. They can help and they understand the apprehension associated with going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry allows you to accomplish all your dental care in a as little as one or two relaxing appointments. With no more anxiety and with little or no memory of the treatment! Dr. Daniel Beninato and the Premier Dental team are trained in sedation dentistry to relieve you from your dental anxieties in a proven and very safe way.
“Don’t wait until it hurts to see a dentist,” Dr. Daniel Beninato of Premier Dental emphasizes. “Being proactive with your dental care can make a huge difference in your overall health and self-confidence.”
Keeping Your Summer Safe and Injury-Free
If someone asked you what the leading cause of death was, what would you say? If you answered heart attack, stroke or cancer, you would be wrong on all accounts. The leading cause of death in Nebraskans under the age of 44 is trauma.
“We call it the silent epidemic,” says P.J. Schenarts, MD, trauma medical director at The Nebraska Medical Center. “In Douglas County, you have a greater risk of dying from trauma than a stroke. The unfortunate thing is that many trauma-related injuries could be avoided.”
Dr. Schenarts is one of nine trauma surgeons who staff The Nebraska Medical Center’s trauma program which has been designated a Level 1 trauma center by the state. In August, The Nebraska Medical Center will opt out of its joint trauma system agreement with Alegent Creighton Health and will offer trauma services 24-hours-a-day and seven-days-a-week.
This will allow the program to pursue national certification as a Level 1 trauma center. A Level 1 trauma center has an attending trauma surgeon in the building 24/7 who will see a patient within 15 minutes of arrival. It is supported by specialists such as neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and trauma care nurses as well as highly sophisticated medical diagnostic equipment. Research shows that a Level 1 trauma center reduces the risk of death by 25 percent.
The two leading causes of trauma deaths are car accidents and falls. Other common trauma injuries that tend to rise in the summer include motorcycle, ATV and boating accidents and sports-related injuries.
“Many of these injuries often involve alcohol or other type of drug impairment as well as speeding and recklessness,” says Dr. Schenarts. “If we could get people to stop drinking and doing careless things, that would reduce the trauma burden tremendously. “
“The difficulty with trauma injuries is that typically they are completely unexpected and provide no warning signs,” says Dr. Schenarts. “That’s why prevention is so critical.” Dr. Schenarts provides the following tips to help you have a safe and trauma-free summer:
• Think before you act. Let common sense be your guide.
• Avoid driving a vehicle, boat, ATV or operating any type of motorized equipment while drinking. Alcohol impairs your judgment and your ability to react and avoid an injury.
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Always wear a helmet when driving a motorcycle or ATV.
• Beware of your surroundings so you can avoid potential accidents. Often times, injuries are the result of the actions of others.
• Lead by example. Remember, kids will copy the actions of their parents.
Hobbies Can Keep You Healthy Too!
Life can be stressful. A hobby is a great way to set aside the stressful situations and focus, at least temporarily, on something positive and personally rewarding. It is a good way to recharge your batteries and be able to face whatever is causing stress with renewed energy. Plus, we all need a way to express our creativity. It could be a hobby, sports, volunteer work, etc. It just needs to be something that engages both the mind and spirit.
Regarding the health benefits of hobbies, Gerry Phelan of Midwest Woodworkers Inc. speaks from personal experience. “Woodworking has been my stress reliever for 35 years. In a previous career, I was an operations manager. Each day I battled the problems of the day and then the following morning would bring a fresh batch. The days could be very stressful and it was difficult to get a sense of accomplishment. Woodworking let me be creative and narrow my focus to just the task at hand and forget the problems of the day. I could step back and admire my progress and when it was done, there was the satisfaction of making something real that I could keep and show off.
Woodworking is a perfect hobby; it stimulates your creativity and provides the satisfaction of working with your hands. You can make useful things that you can enjoy for years to come, or give to others. Whether it’s tackling a new skill, making something you need or creating a gift, it’s hard to beat the satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands. We’ve seen a lot of folks getting involved with woodworking because they need a way to channel their creativity, they see it as a perfect hobby for retirement or because it is something they have always wanted to do since they took woodworking in back in high school. It’s great when we get to help them get started.”
He adds, “At Midwest Woodworkers, our mission is to bring out the best woodworker in every customer. For beginners, we offer classes specifically aimed at helping people get started in woodworking. Our classes are small, 3-5 people at most and are very ‘hands-on’. We start with safety and make sure everyone understands the equipment and the techniques. Our classes are not lectures about woodworking – most involve making a project you can take home with you. That makes the learning more meaningful and provides the satisfaction that comes from completing a project. Our instructors and everyone on our staff are all long-time woodworkers. In fact, we average over 30 years of woodworking experience. We can help with questions and enjoy showing folks how to get started.
Often recreation gets sublimated to the demands of everyday living, but the need is always there. Whether you need a hobby or a way to relieve stress, it’s good to set aside a specific period each day where you can get lost in something you really enjoy. Even if it’s only a few minutes, you will likely find the rest of the day will go better as a result.”
Men everywhere and of all ages are becoming more attentive to and knowledgeable about their personal health and wellness, and with good reason. Not only are there so many wonderful resources available for men to utilize; there are too many benefits of taking proper care of yourself and leading a healthy lifestyle to ignore! We encourage all men to get out and explore their options, and to be proactive with their health care–maintaining your good health is among the most valuable and significant things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.