How to help the guy you love stay healthy

IT’S no secret that health care is one of the last things on a man’s agenda and so many a woman has had a challenge in getting the man who stole her heart to take care of himself. Like toddlers about to get their immunisation or pull their teeth, you will probably have to take your man in kicking and screaming to see the doctor.

“Men fear doctors more than women. Men are not as proactive as women about their health. They are more non-compliant with doctors and doctors’ medication than women because of their ignorance of health concerns and challenges,” said Dr Andre McDonald.

“They are socialised to believe that they are strong if they don’t complain or seek help if they have a pain or they have a challenge,” he said.

But your husband’s ill health can affect your finances and even your sex life, so even if he has taken a laid-back approach, there is no way you can shirk taking the responsibility of becoming his primary caregiver. Here are some ways you can help the guy you love to stay healthy.

1. Cook his favourite meals (without the excess grease)

Lower his blood pressure by cutting back on the amount of salt and additives you use in preparing family meals and help to lower his risk of heart disease by using healthy oils such as olive oil. Find healthier alternatives to his favourite dishes and try to ensure that he eats all his daily meals before 8:00 pm to avoid the beer belly.

2. Schedule his annual medicals

Determine as a couple which doctor you will feel comfortable treating you both and schedule annual medicals with this individual. It might seem like a chore if he has no say in who treats him. Remind him of his medical appointments and keep track of information that you can share with the doctor when you both go in for these check-ups. You can also invest in blood pressure and diabetes machines which you can use to help him monitor his pressure and blood sugar levels at home.

3. Take the lead

You can do this by first putting the spotlight on your own health and getting your regular check-ups at the doctor. If you are overweight, try to make some step towards taking off the excess weight by joining a gym or joining a walking group. You could also start walking as a couple or sign up for 5k races which have become increasingly popular in Jamaica over the past few years.

4. Don’t be the source of stress

One of the biggest complaints from men is having to deal with the endless nagging their wives or girlfriends unleash on them. This matter is highly debatable, but it is important that you provide a healthy environment where open communication is encouraged and respect governs your conversations. One of the reasons for stress in men is the fact that they keep things bottled up because they want to maintain their macho image.

5. Let him come to the woman doctor with you

Believe it or not, local gynaecologists say they have been treating a number of men in recent years who often accompany their wives for their check-ups. While it’s important that he visits the urologist to do his prostate cancer screening if he is over 40 years old, it is okay to take him along with you to have an assessment done of his sexual health.

6. Share health tips with your man

Keep abreast of health tips that you can pass on to your partner and try to get him to watch health programmes with you, although it probably won’t be as interesting as his football matches. By doing your research, you would be in a better position to educate him on what he needs to do to get healthier.

7. Watch out for the signs

Chances are, he will shrug off that nagging pain or the headache he has been feeling of late. So as the lady in his life, you will have to pay more attention to the signs which indicate the onset of a health problem. Take time out to watch him while he sleeps, as his failure to breathe properly and excessive snoring could be an indication of sleep apnea. If he complains about being tired, for example, get him to take his supplements and drink more water.

8. Start shopping healthy

In most households, women are the ones who go grocery shopping. If this is true in relation to your own family, you can help to determine the health status of your husband or boyfriend based on what you are putting in your trolley. Try to select healthy items instead of reaching for the potato chips and greasy treats beckoning to you. If it’s not in your pantry or your fridge, then he will have less chance of putting it in his stomach.

9. Help him with his addictions

There is a role for you to play if your man is having a problem curbing his alcohol intake, smoking or caffeine addiction. All three have health risks and exposes him to a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Encourage him in his efforts to stop and commend him when he makes any sort of progress. Direct him to other alternatives such as drinking a glass of wine in the evenings together or replacing his coffee with green tea.

10. Challenge him

If all your efforts to get him on the healthy path fail, challenge him to get into shape by promising him something extra special. While he will be quick to say no to the prospect of sitting around in a waiting room waiting for the man in the white coat, he might not object to you doing a bit of role playing in your nurse uniform.