Proactive steps to take with your health

11/29/2023 — Dr. Brian Lieb has been practicing medicine for 26 years. During that time as a doctor of Osteopathy he's seen more female patients than he has males.

"Sort of the 'tough guy' attitude. Until the wheel falls off of the machine they don't worry about the shimmy," Lieb explained.

But it's that tough guy mentality that can get plenty of men in trouble when it comes to their health.

"A lot of these diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, they're silent. You don't even know you have them," says Lieb.

Cardiovascular disease is still the number 1 killer of both men and women. Dr. Lieb says there are other signs to look out for other than chest pain.

"Have you slowed down because you're developing symptoms of chest tightness? Light headedness, shortness of breath, stomach nausea, sweating?”

Cancer is of course a concern, with prostate cancer affecting men the most.

"I typically start screening at around age 50 for my males, and it's a once-a-year serologic blood test looking at an antigen, (and) you're following that number over time, looking for a jump," Lieb explained.

While more rare, testicular cancer is a concern men must be aware of.

"It's not something we see often. It's fairly rare. It typically will start anywhere from mid-teens, right around 15 to 40,” said Lieb, adding "If you do exams routinely, you know what you feel like. You know what your tissue is. So that if, or when a change comes, you perceive it to be such."

On top of knowing your body, Dr Lieb suggests staying active, watching your caloric intake, and making sure you’re being proactive about your health.

"Screen for cancers appropriately. Screen and make sure blood pressure is controlled. Look at cholesterol numbers, look at sugar numbers. You can do a lot for people to find things early and put them on the right track," he said.

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