Men who live full , action-packed lives are also usually men who take good care of themselves . At the very least , all men should make an effort to stay healthy . This includes avoiding health mistakes that can put them at risk of developing chronic diseases . By avoiding the following six health errors , men can increase the likelihood of enjoying a healthy , long life . 1 . Not getting regular checkups Men don ’ t exactly jump at the chance to visit the doctor . But the path to healthier living starts by getting over the reluctance to see a physician . Regular check-ups will provide primary care physicians with the necessary data to determine risks for heart disease , including readings on blood sugar , cholesterol , and blood pressure . Most people with high blood pressure don ’ t even know they have it . Similarly , high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels often do not produce any symptoms until the disease is advanced . This makes the yearly visit to a doctor a must-do if men want to safeguard their most precious commodity : their health . Men who forego sunscreen increase their risk of skin cancer 2 . Believing a heart attack or stroke won ’ t happen to them When men think about the chance of having a heart attack or stroke , they tend to believe it only happens to older men like their dad or granddad . But younger men are at risk too . Men need to know their family heart health history as heart disease runs in the family . If a man ’ s family has a history of heart disease , he could end up in the emergency room as early in his 30s from a major heart attack . All men should prioritize taking care of their heart . This includes not smoking , eating healthy foods , taking regular exercise , and maintaining a healthy body weight . 3 . Ignoring snoring Men who wake up in a groggy haze , experience frequent morning headaches , suffer from sore throats , feel sleepy in the afternoons , or who have a partner who complains of their “ loud snoring , ” probably have obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA ) . It is estimated that 22 million Americans suffer from OSA and , within that group , about two-thirds are men . More than just annoying the person in bed next to you , OSA is a disorder that can cause a person to stop breathing for a few seconds and is also linked to heart disease and high blood pressure . Any man exhibiting these symptoms needs to see his doctor for a thorough exam and sleep study . 4 . Forgetting to slather on sunscreen Men who forego sunscreen significantly increase their risk of skin cancer . Failing to regularly examine skin could see a spot turn into a serious form of melanoma . The later it is detected , the harder to treat . The majority of people with melanomas are white men over the age of 50 . Men who are too cavalier about taking care of their skin may end up fighting for their life if they are diagnosed with the disease . Younger men are also at risk of heart disease Men should do a full-body skin examination every month and if anything suspicious is found , they should immediately schedule an appointment with a dermatologist . 5 . Not seeking help for erectile dysfunction Discussing erectile dysfunction ( ED ) with their doctor may be the last thing a man wants to do . But for the sake of his health and happiness , it is important not to avoid it . ED has nothing to with a man ’ s masculinity and is primarily caused by a lack of blood flow to the penis . Up to 20 million American men suffer from impotence . Men experiencing ED need to put their pride to the side and see their doctor . 6 . Turning to alcohol or drugs to feel better Men are natural born risk-takers . They are more likely to drink excessively and turn to drug use to seek relief from problems they face . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , men are two times more likely to binge drink than women and to engage in illicit drug use . Not only does this risky behavior place them at a much higher risk for major health issues but men are also less likely to seek the help they need to break their dependence . A man must recognize a substance-abuse problem if he is to get the help he needs to gain control of his health and life . The sooner this is addressed , the higher the chance he can be rehabilitated . Dr. Samadi is a board-certified urologic oncologist trained in open and traditional and laparoscopic surgery and is an expert in robotic prostate surgery . He is chairman of urology , chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital . He is a medical contributor for the Fox News Channel 's Medical A-Team . Follow Dr. Samadi on Twitter , Pinterest , SamadiMD.com , davidsamadiwiki , davidsamadibio and Facebook .
From slapping on sunscreen to having regular check-ups , there are many simple ways a man can protect his health