Anthony Elkins, a Family Medicine Physician at Iredell Primary Care, is highlighting the importance of regular health check-ups for men during Men’s Health Month. Elkins stresses that societal pressures to “man up” should not prevent men from discussing their health concerns.
“There’s a common philosophy that men are sometimes told to ‘man up’, right?” explained Elkins. “If you’re having pain or emotional issues, you’re told to just keep it inside and deal with it. Nowadays, there’s a change in how we take care of men. It’s okay to talk about your mental health. It’s okay to be depressed. It’s okay to not be okay.”
Elkins encourages men to build a relationship with their family doctor for better long-term health outcomes. He suggests that this relationship should go beyond treating immediate physical ailments.
“It’s okay to see a doctor to talk about any of those concerns. You have to have a family doctor that you have a good relationship with, and that you feel comfortable talking to. It’s not just about when you have a broken bone or when you have a sore throat.”
According to studies mentioned by Elkins, self-diagnosing via online searches can be inaccurate around 50% of the time.
“Dr. Google can’t examine you and does not know your family history. It doesn’t take your values or daily activities into account.”
Regular visits can help in identifying potential health issues early on, which is crucial for maintaining overall well-being.
“I generally recommend that my patients come in once a year for an annual checkup. We’ll focus on heart health, emotional health, screening tests along with other things to keep you healthy.”
Elkins notes cardiovascular disease as the leading concern among his older male patients and emphasizes routine screenings for conditions such as diabetes and various cancers.
“It’s the number one killer for older Americans, and men are affected twice as likely as women are.”
On mental health, Elkins acknowledges the reluctance some men feel towards discussing emotional issues but emphasizes its importance.
“Mental health is very important. It’s something that everyone struggles with, even me.”
He describes how depression and anxiety can manifest physically without actual heart disease present.
“Depression can hurt. You can have chest pain or racing heart, and there may actually be no disease in your heart.”
Elkins also covers sexual health topics like erectile function and prevention of sexually transmitted infections through regular screenings.
“With regular screenings, we likely can find these infections before they become a threat to your health.”
Finally, he urges men without primary care doctors to establish one promptly.
“Have a relationship with a family doctor that you can see when you’re healthy, when you’re sick, or when you’re injured.”
Dr. Anthony Elkins is currently accepting new patients at Iredell Primary Care in Mooresville where he specializes in sports and musculoskeletal medicine.
