June Is Men’s Health Month: Tips for Staying Active and Feeling Your Best This Summer

Summer in Dallas means longer days, backyard cookouts, and plenty of opportunities to get outside and stay active. But for many men, it also means pushing through nagging pain, ignoring symptoms they have been meaning to get checked out, or powering through workouts when their body is clearly asking for a break. June is Men’s Health Month, and there is no better time to take stock of how you are really feeling.

The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People initiative, men in the United States die on average five years earlier than women. The CDC also reports that women aged 18 to 44 have preventive care visit rates nearly five times higher than men in the same age group. That gap in preventive care has real consequences, since many of the conditions that affect men most seriously are highly treatable when caught early.

At North Central Surgical Center Hospital, we believe staying active and staying healthy go hand in hand. Here are some key areas every man should pay attention to this summer.

Don’t Let Joint Pain Bench You

Whether you are hitting the golf course, playing pickup basketball, coaching little league, or just trying to keep up with the kids in the backyard, joint and muscle pain can take the fun out of summer fast. According to the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative, supported by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than half of the adult population in the United States lives with a chronic musculoskeletal condition, with chronic low back pain and joint pain ranking among the top reported medical conditions overall.

The mistake many men make is managing pain with over-the-counter medication and willpower, hoping it resolves on its own. Sometimes it does. Often, it does not, and waiting too long can turn a manageable problem into a more complex one. North Central Surgical Center Hospital’s Orthopedics and Sports Medicine physicians specialize in helping patients identify the root cause of joint and muscle pain and find the right path forward, whether that is physical therapy, minimally invasive treatment, or surgical intervention when necessary.

Your Feet Work Hard — Give Them Some Attention

Summer ramps up activity levels, and your feet and ankles bear the brunt of it. Men are notorious for ignoring foot pain until it becomes debilitating, but conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, heel spurs, and stress fractures rarely resolve without proper treatment. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, roughly 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at some point in their lives, and most wait far too long to seek care.

If foot or ankle pain is limiting your activity this summer, the Podiatry physicians at North Central Surgical Center Hospital can help diagnose what is going on and get you back on your feet. Don’t let an untreated foot issue sideline you for the rest of the season.

Back Pain Is Common, But It Does Not Have to Be Your Normal

Yard work, long road trips, weekend projects, and hours behind the wheel all put strain on the spine. The National Institutes of Health estimates that around 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, making it one of the most common reasons men miss work or limit physical activity.

The frustrating truth is that many men accept chronic back or neck pain as an inevitable part of aging or a physically demanding lifestyle. But pain that persists, radiates into the arms or legs, or is accompanied by numbness or weakness deserves a real evaluation. The Spine Surgery and Pain Management physicians at North Central Surgical Center Hospital work together to help patients understand what is driving their pain and explore the full range of treatment options, from conservative management to surgical solutions, so you can get back to living your life.

The Screening That Could Save Your Life

Here is the one no one wants to talk about, but everyone should: colorectal cancer screening. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States when numbers for men and women are combined, and it is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50. Yet the CDC reports that only about 61% of adults aged 45 to 75 are up to date with colorectal cancer screening, well below the national target.

The good news is that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk begin screening at age 45, and those with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps may need to start earlier.

North Central Surgical Center Hospital’s Direct Screen Colonoscopy Program is designed to make this process as straightforward as possible. If you are 45 or older, or have a family history that puts you at higher risk, this summer is a great time to stop putting it off. Colonoscopy screening is a highly effective tool for detecting and helping to prevent colorectal cancer before it becomes life-threatening.

Make This the Summer You Stop Ignoring It

Men’s Health Month exists for a reason. Culturally, men are often conditioned to push through discomfort, avoid the doctor, and deal with health issues quietly. But ignoring symptoms does not make them disappear. It typically just gives them more time to progress.

The conditions discussed here, including joint pain, foot and ankle issues, back pain, and the need for preventive screenings, are all very common and all very treatable when addressed proactively. Taking care of yourself is what keeps you active, present, and in the game for the people who count on you.

Whether you are managing a sports injury, dealing with chronic pain, or simply overdue for a screening, the physicians at North Central Surgical Center Hospital are here to help.

Find a North Central Surgical Center Hospital physician and take the first step at northcentralsurgical.com/team.

Sources: