Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Why do men avoid doctors?

Eighty-two percent of men surveyed said they try to stay healthy and live longer for those who rely on them, yet only half report that they’re getting that all-important preventative care. Experts attribute this trend of men avoiding the doctor to various reasons, but two big ones are stigmas and the superhero syndrome. Outside of more urgent medical issues that need to be handled as soon as possible, the risk of avoiding care creates a potentially dangerous situation. Indicators like high blood pressure or high cholesterol can be early warning signs of more serious conditions, so men should see a primary care physician annually to run labs, check blood pressure and stay on top of any red flags.

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