What about Dad?
As keepers of the house, female patients often confess in our rooms that they put themselves last and their children first. This is one of the characteristics of a good mother according to most mothers. Us general practitioners usually then sort out the children, but also encourage the tired moms to look after themselves too! We encourage them to book an appointment to do the basic bloods, a breast examination and gynaecological check-up and remind them that if the mother goes down – the whole ship goes down! But what about the dads? They are usually too busy to even set foot in a doctor’s room…
It is crucial for mothers to motivate their husbands to come in at least once a year for a thorough check up. The following test should be done annually for men:
Age: 25-39
Physical Measures: Blood pressure, Pulse rate & rhythm
Chemical(bloods): Full blood count, Cholesterol, Glucose, Testosterone, Thyroid function, Iron profile, Semen screen (infertility)
Mental discussion: Focus and concentration, Stress management, Depression
Specific: Smoking/alcohol, Drug cessation, Allergic sinusitis
Age: 40-49
Physical Measures: +Stress ECG
Chemical(bloods): +Liver and Kidney function, +Prostate Antigen
Mental discussion: +Insomnia
Specific: +Ear wax removal, +Weight issues
Age: 50+
Physical Measures: + Bone density, +Urology assessment, +Colonoscopy
Chemical(bloods): +-Arthritis profile, +Vit B and D
Mental discussion: +Urology/relationship issues.
Prevention is better than cure! These tests can be done or referred for by your general practitioner.
By Drs Desere Ferreira, Ingrid van Heukelum and Laura Troskie.