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Women get men's health
Compared to women, men have much more unhealthy lifestyles: they care less about healthy eating, smoke more and drink regular alcohol. Women, however, pay more attention to their body and are more likely to check-ups. Studies show that many men also benefit from their partners health.
Men are precautionary
According to a report by the dpa news agency, studies conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) have shown that men smoke more, drink alcohol more often, and go to the doctor late in the event of illness. "Men see their body as a tool," said Theodor Klotz, chief physician of the Department of Urology in Weiden in the Upper Palatinate opposite the agency. "Only when they notice something or really hurt, they go to the doctor." Also in the early detection of cancer, men are often precautionary. This had resulted in an evaluation of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in the past year. Thus, only about one in four men over the age of 45 used the possibility of cancer screening, while 60 percent of women regularly went to their gynecologist. However, regular visits to a doctor alone are not enough for a healthy life.
Men also benefit healthily from living with a partner. (Image: drubig-photo / fotolia.com) Stable partnership prevents diseases
According to Klotz, five factors play an important role in preventing disease: a stable partnership, regular exercise, a varied diet, a structured daily routine and, in addition, medical care. As men over the age of 40 focus strongly on their social environment and on a working partnership, a stable partnership is extremely important. "Women manage quite well on their own," said Klotz. Whether he is single or in a relationship makes a big difference to a man. "Men then pay attention to their diet and exercise. That's why a stable and happy relationship, especially in old age, is very important. "The fact that women are key figures for men had already been addressed more frequently by the BZgA in the past.
Women assume "the role of health manager"
But if the partnership does not work out well, it will have health implications. In a study, US researchers found that an unhappy marriage makes the heart sick. Unfortunate married people are more and more at risk of getting high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) as well as having a heart attack or stroke. British scientists also recently came to a conclusion that people are healthier thanks to the partner. For example, it turned out that, for example, unhealthy habits such as smoking are much easier to discard if the partner or partner is involved. A stable partnership has a positive impact on health. According to a study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), men in relationships live on average two years longer than a single man. "It's true that women often take over the role of health manager," explained psychologist Thomas Altgeld. Often it is they who take care of when the next medical appointments are due or which vaccine is due next. "If the man goes bad, his wife will advise him not to go to work today. If he were alone, he would tend to overestimate himself and overplay the symptoms. "
Cook something delicious together on the weekend
Of course, the man himself should be interested in his own health. As Monika Köster of the BZgA said, open communication at home is important for this. Of great importance is the question of what a man can do for his own health: how can you feed healthy despite full-time job? Which opportunities for stress reduction are there? How do you get more exercise in everyday life? "Thus, the topics of health and prevention become much more commonplace and tangible." Family and partnership play a major role in this. If, for example, the diet turns out rather monotonous during working hours, you can, for example, make plans to cook something delicious and healthy together with the family on the weekend.
Ensure adequate movement
Families should also actively organize the weekend. For fun, you can play badminton, go for a walk or cycle. "The nice thing is, you just feel better and do something for your health at the same time," said Köster. Exercise is important in preventing disease as well as counteracting existing problems. "In type 2 diabetes mellitus, for example, blood glucose levels may drop," said the expert. Men are more likely to suffer from diabetes than women. "That's not just because of the men, but also because of certain stereotypes that a man has to fulfill," says Thomas Altgeld. "If there is anything left over when eating with the family, the man gets pushed to eat it. In addition, most men are getting bigger portions anyway than the others. "So it's up to the whole family to change habits. "Men need a goal to make changes," said chief physician Theodor Klotz. It is very important for men that the partner signals that she wants to live happily ever after. "That could be enough motivation for a man to pay more attention to himself and often to take medical precautions."
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