It’s a well-known fact: men don’t like going to the doctor. Unless a bone is protruding from their skin or they’ve hurled up half their organs, they’d rather do the man thing and just tough it out.
“They’re stubborn,” explained Dr. Robert Vyge, a Board-certified internist at Beaufort Memorial Lady’s Island Internal Medicine. “They think if they’re feeling good, why go to the doctor?”
The problem is that many health issues are not detectable until it’s too late. Take cardiovascular disease. If you ignore high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you could end up having a heart attack or stroke.
To save mothers and wives needless nagging, Beaufort Memorial Hospital is presenting “The Man Plan: Taking control of your health,” a self-help seminar offering men evidence-based recommendations aimed at preventing serious illnesses.
“You change the oil in your car every three months to keep it running longer,” Vyge said. “Preventative health is the same thing for the body.”
The free seminar, hosted by the hospital’s LifeFit Wellness Center, takes place at 8 a.m. on Nov. 8 at the Quality Inn in Beaufort’s Towne Center, 2001 Boundary Street. To ensure you don’t skip the most important meal of the day, a light continental breakfast will be served.
Vyge will start off the program with a discussion on men’s most common health issues and offer advice on preventing and treating them. He’ll talk about the latest advancements in screenings and tests used to catch disease early when it’s most treatable and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health.
BMH Board-certified urologist Dr. Michael Staley will follow with information on below-the-belt medical problems like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), low testosterone and prostate cancer.
“These are issues that affect many men as they age,” said Staley, of Coastal Carolina Urology Group. “There’s no reason to suffer with the symptoms when there are available remedies. You just have to talk to your doctor.”
Staley also will be discussing the latest technology in the treatment of prostate cancer, including robot-assisted prostate surgery.
The Beaufort Memorial mobile wellness unit will be on site prior to the seminar, providing low cost and free screenings. Seminar attendees will be able to take advantage of $10 PSA blood tests and cholesterol checks and free blood pressure and glucose screenings from 7 to 8 a.m.
The men’s health program — part of Beaufort Memorial Hospital’s “Life Lived Better” seminar series, hosted by the hospital’s LifeFit Wellness Center — is free and open to the public, but registration is required as seating is limited. Call 522-5585 for information or reservations.
