June is Men’s Health Month

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At Texas Foot Specialists, we know that June is the month that we celebrate our fathers and that’s a good reminder that it’s also Men’s Health Month. Why focus on men’s health? Primarily because studies show that men don’t! Did you know that women are 100% more likely to seek preventive health care than men? Men die at higher rates than women for 9 out of the top 10 causes of death. Fortunately, by raising awareness you can help the men in your life reduce their risk of serious illness and injury. Below are tips to help:

  • Pay attention to pain. Maybe it’s the whole “man up” culture or “play through the pain” that many men hear growing up and playing sports, but pain is your body’s way of signaling something is wrong and ignoring it is dangerous. Our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum, know that nearly all podiatric disorders or foot injuries are best treated in their early stages. Delaying seeking treatment for foot discomfort can lead to loss of mobility. If you have unusual symptoms anywhere in your body, seek treatment.

  • Build healthy habits. Encourage the men you love to exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and eat a nutritious diet. Start small and make it enjoyable: take walks after dinner, experiment cooking a new recipe together, etc.

  • Choose to de-stress. Stress is a contributing factor to men’s health risks including high blood pressure and heart disease. Encourage the men in your life to put recreation activities on the calendar and to spend time with friends to help defuse stress.

  • Play it safe. Men receive 4 out of every 5 DUI charges on the road and are also more likely than women to receive a ticket for a moving violation. Don’t let the men in your life take chances. Insist on spotters for ladders, helmets for motorcycling and biking and other safety precautions to prevent injury.

If you have a husband, father, brother, or friend who is experiencing foot or ankle pain, encourage them to make an appointment at our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600) or Houston (713-664-6677) office and get it taken care of promptly.