Many health problems can be avoided by living a healthier lifestyle. Even if a health problem cannot be avoided, they have a better chance of being treated if you live a healthier life. Some, but not all, health problems that can be avoided include:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Obesity

There are some steps you can take to help improve your overall health and quality of life:

• Know your family’s health history. Talk to your family. Ask questions. Keep a record of and share your health information with your doctor. Doing so will help them take even better care of you.

• Eat a healthy diet. Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean protein. Limit foods that are high in saturated fat. Also, limit foods with trans fats. Avoid foods with added sugar. Also, avoid foods with a lot of sodium (salt).

• Exercise and be active. Pick activities you like. Some ideas include tennis, basketball or a brisk walk.

• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Quitting smoking improves your health. It also reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease and other illnesses caused by smoking.

• Limit your alcohol. Limiting alcohol can lessen your risk of long-term health problems.

• Get regular checkups. Talk to your doctor or primary care provider (PCP) about a physical or wellness check each year. Regular checkups let your doctor or PCP check important things like your:

  • Blood pressure. More men than women have high blood pressure. Your lifestyle choices can raise your risk for high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be controlled with simple, healthy habits. Being active is a great way to control it.

  • Cholesterol. High blood cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. This puts you at risk for heart disease. It also puts you at risk of a stroke. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol. That is why it is important to have regular visits with your PCP.

  • Prostate. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. All men are at risk for prostate cancer. That risk goes up as you age. Talk to your health care team about the right screening for you.

  • Testosterone. This is a male hormone. It peaks during your teenage and young adult years. It naturally lowers with age. But, lower than normal levels can be related to diabetes, heart disease and depression.

There are a lot of things that can negatively impact your health. But the good news is that there are things you can do to keep you healthy and in it for the long run! Take charge of your health so you can keep living your best life.