Chat & Check - For Better Health

Many of us are aware that when it comes to maintaining good health, prevention is better than treatment. Also, we know that talking things over with someone trustworthy very often helps relieve stress. However, when it comes to practice, men have much room for improvement in these aspects.

Disease Prevention - Health Check

The top three leading causes of death for Hong Kong men are cancer, diseases of heart and pneumonia which, like many other diseases, have better survival rates for those who are diagnosed early through medical check-up and treated accordingly. So, apart from adopting a healthly lifestyle, another good measure for disease prevention and maintaining good health is timely check-up, which requires increased awareness among us guys and our seeking advice from the doctor when symptoms or signs appear.

However, the Population Health Survey 2003/2004, which interviewed over 7000 males and females aged 15 and above, revealed that only 17.3% of males reported that they had regular medical check-up, as opposed to 28.1% of females.

On the other hand, figures from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in the past year revealed that about half of the men who attended the Well Men Clinic had to undergo more thorough medical check-up, with nearly one third of them subsequently being diagnosed with diseases such as cardiovascular disease, urological problems and hypertension, which in most cases were unexpected by those undergoing medical check-up.

Practical Tips
Consult a doctor early when symptoms or signs appear. Remember, early symptoms for many diseases can be very minor and non-specific. So, increased awareness is the key.

Stress Relief - Chat It Out

Stress in daily life comes in different ways. Extreme stress can result in some undesirable health consequences or extreme behaviours such as suicide. Despite the fact that traditionally, most men like to think of themselves as belonging to the "stronger gender", men accounted for about two-thirds of the 1103 registered deaths due to suicide in 2003.

The ways to reduce and deal with stress vary among individuals. For most, talking to some trustworthy others is probably a good way to start. Chatting with others can help reduce stress and solicit necessary support and is thus an important action to prevent suicide.

Again, the Population Health Survey 2003/2004 revealed that 22.8% of the males interviewed claimed that they did not need help from others for emotional support, as opposed to 15.6% for females, while 54.0% of males felt that they could count on someone for emotional support, as opposed to 66.1% for females.

It is however important to know that very often those caring and trustworthy others are already there for us. All we have to do is take the first step. And seeking help is a responsible act.

Practical Tips
Think positively and learn to appreciate ourselves; talk to and seek help from those trustworthy others. Just remember, through ups and downs in life, we grow; through talking to others, we gain support and learn.

So guys, chat and check for better health - got it? 

(Last Updated on 02-09-2005)