health-radio-header

Men's Health Awareness: Know ALL Your Numbers

From the Show: Health Radio
Summary: How can you help change the way your man looks at annual doctor visits, and give him better reasons to go more often?
Air Date: 6/19/15
Duration: 10
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Guest Bio: Leslie Schlachter, RPA-Director, Men’s Health Center
LESLIE Leslie Schlachter has worked with male patients at Mount Sinai's Department of Urology for the past five years, working hand in hand with. She evaluates, diagnoses and treats cancer and non-cancer needs.

Range of urological conditions. She has treated patients with pharmacological therapies, alternative medicine, and coordinates with local and international physicians. She also coordinates patient care with family and other physicians on the treatment team. She mentors and teaches residents and follows in urodynamic procedures, evaluation of urologic disorders and treatment plans.

She has worked closely on research studies for new treatments for advanced urologic cancer.
Men's Health Awareness: Know ALL Your Numbers
Despite having higher rates of death and lower life expectancy than women, men are half as likely to visit a doctor for an annual physical as women.

Mount Sinai is hoping to change this by arming men and the women who love them with tips to stay healthy and live longer.

Men should see a doctor at least once a year for a physical exam. Keeping track of changes in one's health and body is the best way to detect problems early, before they become serious.

There are a few important numbers which are checked during a physical.

What numbers should men always know?
  • PSA level: Prostate-specific antigen is a substance produced by the prostate. High PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate, an infection (prostatitis), or another issue or condition.
  • Cholesterol: High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two of the top five leading causes of death for men in the United States.
  • Weight: Being overweight or obese can cause or contribute to a host of medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, joint problems and osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and gallstones.
  • Liver Enzyme Levels: Checked as part of a routine blood test, the presence of elevated numbers of certain liver enzymes can be an early indicator of liver damage or disease.

Leslie Schlachter, RPA-Director or Men's Health Center, shares the four numbers that men should always be aware of.