to BE A CA R OL INA S H E ALT H CA RE SY ST E M PATIE NT
A MAN’S GUIDE TO HEALTH
it’s a good time
to EDUCATE YOURSELF ON PREVENTIVE CARE
At the doctor’s office, you’ll want to have or ask about these screenings.
IN YOUR
• Annual routine office visit and
wellness exam
• Annual flu shot
• HPV vaccine, three doses total
• Meningococcal conjugated vaccine
(MCV4), if living in a college dorm
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster;
only needed every 10 years
• Annual routine office visit and
wellness exam
• HPV vaccine, if you didn’t have in
your 20s
• Annual flu shot
• Cholesterol screening, including
triglycerides, LDL, HDL or lipid
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster;
panel; every five years
only needed every 10 years
40
IN YOUR
• Annual routine office visit and
wellness exam
• Annual flu shot
• Annual routine office visit and
wellness exam
• Annual flu shot
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster; • Colonoscopy; every 10 years
only needed every 10 years
• Digital rectal exam
60
• Cholesterol screening, including
triglycerides, LDL, HDL or lipid
panel; every five years
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster; • Digital rectal exam, starting at 45
only needed every 10 years
• Cholesterol screening, including
triglycerides, LDL, HDL or lipid
panel; every five years
IN YOUR
30
IN YOUR
50
IN YOUR
• Annual routine office visit and
wellness exam
• Shinges vaccine
• Pneumonia vaccine, over 65
• Tetanus/diphtheria (Td) booster;
only needed every 10 years
• Cholesterol screening, including
triglycerides, LDL, HDL or lipid
panel; every 5 years
• Colonoscopy; every 10 years
• Bone density screening
• Annual flu shot
IN YOUR 20s
GROWN-UP STRESS
In our 20s, we may feel real stress for the first
time. First jobs. Bills. Maybe marriage or even
kids. Stress is a very real health threat, and it’s
one best managed early in life.
Find coping strategies that are good for you and
make you feel better, as opposed to worse. In
other words, don’t use alcohol or cigarettes as
relaxation tools. Instead, practice mindful
breathing, hit the gym or simply walk the dog!
IN YOUR 30s
YOUR BONES MATTER
The health of your bones is more often associated with women as they
age. But after 30, men's bone mass begins to decline as well. This can
lead to a greater chance of bone breaks and fractures, even for the most
active men.
For the most part, bone loss during this decade is minor. To help keep it
that way, consider taking 1,000 milligrams of calcium combined with 400
IU of vitamin D, which has been shown to enhance the body's ability to
absorb calcium. Weight-bearing exercises (including walking) have also
been shown to slow bone loss. Speak with your doctor about taking
vitamins or supplements.
IN YOUR 40s
LOVE YOUR HEART
Many forms of cardiovascular disease are preventable by maintaining a
healthy weight and making smart food choices: fruits, vegetables, low-fat
dairy products. Now’s the time to create a diet rich in whole grains, lean
protein and healthy fats. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats
are known as the “good fats,” because they are good for your heart, your
cholesterol and your overall health.
IN YOUR 50s
KEEP YOUR MIND STRONG
Staying physically active and fit is important. Working out your mind is just
as important as you age. Studies show that challenging your mind can
improve brain function and overall health. Now is a great time to learn
something new. Take up an instrument, learn a new language, practice
your state capitals!
IN YOUR 60s
WATER IS YOUR
FRIEND
When you are younger, your body is 61
percent water; into your 60s your body’s
water content drops to 54 percent. Your skin
may feel and appear dryer. You'll also sweat
less because your sweat glands shrink: overheating and heatstroke become a threat.
Drink plenty of water. Keep a water bottle on
your desk at work, in your car and definitely
in your gym bag.
to AVOID
20s
RISKY BEHAVIOR
Quit smoking (today). Practice safe
sex (use a condom). Use your
seatbelt (always). Don’t drink and
drive (ever). You’re an adult now, so
take care of yourself like one.
30s
SECOND
HELPINGS
Keeping fit and keeping those
pounds at bay becomes more
difficult as we age – for both men
and women. Now is the time to
begin practicing restraint at the
dinner table and the drive-thru.
Following the food pyramid may
seem like something you left
behind in grade school, but it’s
worth revisiting.
40s
STEPPING ON THE
SCALE EVERDAY
The challenges of maintaining a
healthy weight are only magnified
as we age. Slowing metabolism and
changing hormone levels affect how
effective our efforts are. Resist the
temptation to weigh in every day;
doing so can be self-defeating. It’s
best to weigh yourself once a week,
at the same time of day, to track
your weight.
50s
SKIPPING MEALS
Skipping meals sets you up to overeat
later in the day. Sugar cravings are also
more likely to overwhelm you if you
haven’t eaten regularly throughout the
day. Eat a healthy breakfast to kickstart your metabolism, a healthy lunch
to power you through the day and a
well-balanced dinner well before
bedtime.
60s
HEALTHCARE
IGNORANCE
Research shows patients who
have a good understanding of
their medical instruction have a
better chance of survival than
patients who are confused by
information. Do not hesitate to
ask your doctor or nurse any questions you may have. It’s sometimes
helpful to have a friend or relative
accompany you to medical
appointments. A second set of
ears can never hurt.
to DO
IN YOUR 20s
IN YOUR 30s
EAT MORE PROTEIN
HIT THE YOGA MAT
Now is the time when your metabolism is at its highest. Take
advantage of that by exercising hard and feeding yourself well.
Choose a variety of foods like seafood, lean meat and poultry,
eggs, beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
Heart-healthy fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel can reduce
the risk of developing heart disease, too.
Your flexibility suffers as you sit behind a desk.
Even if your job requires more activity than that,
you still tend to lose some mobility as you age.
Yoga is a great way to stay limber, which can help
prevent injury during the office softball game.
IN YOUR 40s
TUNE INTO YOUR PROSTATE
Research shows that those diagnosed with prostate cancer who detected the disease in their 40s
had much better prognoses than men who spotted it later in life. So, stay alert to early warning
signs of prostate cancer: frequent urination, painful urination or ejaculation, difficulty getting or
maintaining an erection, having a tough time
either starting the urine flow or holding it back. If
you notice any of these symptoms, see your
doctor at once.
IN YOUR 50s
STAND UP STRAIGHT!
A straight, strong back will help ward off lowerback pain. Incorporate more balance moves into
your workout to strengthen your feet, ankles and
core – and to straighten your posture.
IN YOUR 60s
QUIT IT
It is absolutely never too late to quit smoking. If
you've been trying to kick the habit, don’t give up
now. Although every cigarette damages your
lungs, you can mitigate and even reverse some of
that damage when you quit. Studies have shown
that people who stop smoking at age 65 add
almost two years to their lives, cutting their risk of
heart disease and lung cancer.
it’s a good time
to BE A CAROLINAS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PATIENT
Carolinas HealthCare System offers convenient primary care locations in neighborhoods throughout Charlotte
and the surrounding area.
Through a lifelong partnership, your primary care provider can help you and your family stay well and improve
your health. As part of a vast network of doctors within Carolinas HealthCare System, your doctor can also refer
you to trusted specialists, if needed.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY
Call 704-512-5616.
Or request an appointment online at
CarolinasHealthCare.org/CarelinkWellness
Don't have a primary care doctor? We can help. Simply call 704-512-5616.