As a general rule men are not good at looking after their health. They will do anything to avoid seeing the inside of a doctor's surgery! Men's fear of doctors is notorious. Normally intelligent men will do anything to avoid voicing concerns about their health problems, or seeking professional advice when something might be wrong. They may therefore miss out on opportunities to enjoy better health and fitness.

There are a few health checks that all men should consider discussing with their doctor or health clinic.

Blood Pressure

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is essential to health and for leading a long and active life. The problem with high blood pressure is that it can go undiagnosed for years, without any obvious symptoms, but can lead to heart attacks or strokes. However, an early diagnosis means the condition can be treated before any lasting damage is done. If you are at all concerned about your blood pressure seek your doctor's advice. In many cases, raised blood pressure can be treated with adjustments to your lifestyle. A change in diet and an increased exercise regime may be tried before medication is decided on. Once you start on medication, this is usually for life.

Cholesterol

Like high blood pressure, cholesterol is another problem that can remain undiagnosed, leading to significant health problems. Therefore, it is important to get your cholesterol level checked and to make every effort to maintain it at a healthy level. There are two types of cholesterol, HDL and LDL, and a simple blood test will determine your levels of both. The cholesterol level you need to be concerned about is the LDL level. This is what is referred to as "bad cholesterol" and it can accumulate in your arteries creating a blockage. HDL is considered to be "good cholesterol" because this can help prevent the harmful blockages.

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is again possible to reduce and control it by changes in your diet, exercising, and losing any excess weight. There are many food products on the market now that claim to help reduce bad cholesterol as part of a healthy diet, and these appear to work for some people. However, it is advisable to seek your doctor's advice as to what would be best for you.

Diabetes

Another potential "silent killer" is diabetes, the cause of high glucose levels in the blood. This disease can also go unnoticed for years, and many people are only diagnosed when they have a routine blood test for an unrelated condition. Early diagnosis is important to reduce the risk of long-term damage to the kidneys and to prevent damage to the heart and eyesight. Symptoms can develop very slowly, and people can sometimes dismiss them as being caused by overwork or just getting older. Symptoms can include increased thirst, unexplained weight loss, feeling constantly very tired and blurred vision. If you suspect you may have high glucose levels speak to your doctor about arranging a test.

Prostate Cancer

Another test that men can consider is the test for prostate cancer. If prostate cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated successfully, and all men should be aware of the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

These can include difficulty in passing urine, passing urine more often, particularly at night, weak or interrupted urine flow, pain when urinating, or blood in the urine.

These symptoms can also be cause by the less serious condition, such as an enlarged prostate, but if you experience any of these symptoms, or have any concerns, contact your doctor. Treatments for prostate cancer are advancing all the time, and more accurate tests are also being devised.

Men must conquer their fear of the doctor's surgery, and start taking care of themselves. A few simple tests can ensure that their future health is not at risk.