It is an established fact that men seldom visit the doctor until it is almost too late to do so. It is often believed that as the stronger gender, going to the doctor for regular medical checkup is a reserve of the sissy or the extremely rich. If it doesn’t spoil, why fix it mentality has always been with us and it doesnt seem to be going away very soon if something urgent is not done to checkmate this trend.
This was made known during Freelanews Leadership Session, a monthly intellectual empowerment vehicle by Freelart Limited, publishers of Freelanews, which was held on August 10, 2021.
The facilitator, a medical practitioner of many years and alumini of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Ajibade Adesola Lydia, revealed that men seldom visit the doctor because of the pressure of mounting bills.
“Most men like to pretend as if nothing is happening even when they are not really feeling too good in their systems all because they don’t want to be down. They still want to hustle; bills to settle and so on,” Dr. Ajibade said.
According to her, most usually resorted to self-help which could even cause more damage to their systems.
“It’s so pathetic that so many of us will first of all visit Mallam beside our house if having headache, to buy paracetamol or Alabunkun.
“If persistent, the next place to go is chemist, to give us sajö after we lodge our complaints.
“If it doesn’t work out, a friend or neighbor will introduce mama alagbo that sells typhoid and malaria concoction,” she stated.
The chief executive of Angelic Healthcare and Medical Equipment Business said that men only agree to visit the doctor when it is almost too late.
“We only remember to go to the lab or hospital after all the trial and error. Sometimes, the case would have become worse before getting to the hospital. Meanwhile a stitch in time saves nine,” she warned.
She informed participants that the importance of regular checkup can’t be overemphasised for some reasons.
“Regular health checks and screening tests are vital for three reasons; health problems can be detected at an early stage before they develop into something much more serious, screening test can detect and prevent a serious illness like cancer.
“Lastly, regular checks is important as it prevents health problems from becoming chronic and can save you and your money.”
Dr. Ajibade, therefore, listed the important medical tests men must take routinely and they include blood pressure check, genotype and blood group.
She also revealed that blood sugar, HIV, Hepatitis B and C and VDRL must be taken at 6 month interval, while cholesterol level, kidney function test, liver function test and electrocardiogram (ECG) should be taken at least once in a year.
“Blood pressure is very important because of stress (either physical or mental) which so many people experience whether rich or poor. And this can lead to increase in blood pressure (hypertension) which if not controlled, can lead to some other complications e.g stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, blindness and so on.
“Genotype helps us to know the right partner to date, to avert futuristic medical challenges on the children.
“Blood sugar level check is to detect diabetes mellitus early and start treatment if present.
During an interactive session, a participant, Victor Ojelabi, sought to know the connection between radiation and cancer through ECG.
“But why is ECG compulsory if a doctor doesnt request for it because I think I have heard somewhere that exposures to infra rays should be avoided as much as possible as it causes cancer?” Ojelabi asked.
“ECG is electrocardiogram which is to check on how the heart is functioning. It is different from x-ray which emits radiation and serves as a risk factor to cancer,” Dr. Ajibade responded.
She quickly added, “For men of 50 years and above, it’s important to check the prostate because prostate enlargement is common to men from 50 years upward which makes it difficult to pass urine.
“If not attended to, there can be a backflow of urine into the kidney which can concurrently lead to kidney failure. It can also be transformed from just being prostate enlargement into prostate cancer.”
“How best can we guide our health against prostate especially for men below 40 years of age?” Ojelabi asked again.
“No known preventive measure. However not having regular sex had been said to be a risk factor to prostate enlargement. It’s not common in age 50 and below,” the doctor responded.
“Some publications have said regular sex helps to prevent prostate enlargement. Kindly shed light, ma,” Wole Adejumo, another member, requested.
Dr. Ajibade replied, “Yes, I’m not a researcher but I believe it because prostate secrete fluid that usually mixes with semen when a man ejaculates during sex. The production of the fluid is continuous, hence the prostate gland expands, to give space for the increased fluid produced. This is the basis of the enlargement.”
“So it means there is no sin in having sex regularly, doctor?” Ojelabi chipped in again, “Are there things I can do to prevent prostate enlargement?”
“The short answer is no. For most men, the prostate gland is just going to grow, and it might lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia, as it’s formally known.But it still helps to know when you’d want to see your doctor, what makes you more likely to get it, and how you can keep the symptoms at bay,” Dr. Ajibade stated.
While running through symptoms to look out for, she informed the participants that there is need to see a doctor when one or more of the following signs are witnessed.
“Common BPH symptoms to watch out for are dribbling when you finish peeing, a hard time starting a stream, having to pee a lot (eight or more times a day) and waking up several times a night to pee.
“Others include a weak urine stream or you pee in stops and starts.”
Some problems with urine flow can be more serious. The doctor advised that men should see their doctors or go to the emergency room right away if they can’t pee at all or feel intense pain.
Aside from visiting the doctor, there are other recommendations for men to stay healthy in terms of habits.
“Lifestyle modification is very important in order to stay healthy as much as possible. These include no smoking, no or very little alcohol occasionally, and avoidance of junks (high cholesterol containing foods).
“Others include having one man or one wife, contentment in everything; don’t bite more than what you can chew, plan according to your socioeconomic status, eat fruits and vegetables and most importantly, live peaceably with people around you,” she advised.
Dr. (Mrs) Ajibade Adesola Lydia (nee Ayodele) hailed from Arinkin Royal Family in Itiya-Ijesa, Obokun local Government of Osun State Nigeria.
She had her primary education at L.A Primary school, Iloko Ijesa, secondary education at Ibokun Grammar School Ibokun and Osun State School of Science, Ikirun. She graduated as a medical doctor in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Osogbo in 2010.
She had worked in different hospitals and lectured in some Schools of health.
Dr. Ajibade has a range of experience both in the practice and provision of day–to–day medical treatment and emergency services, training paramedics and assessing training requirements, organising various programs and advising on procurement of medical equipment and drugs.
Currently, she works as Visiting Doctor at Gerocare (online booking, home-based) and also as a Visiting Lecturer.
She is married to Pastor Ajibade Gideon O. and blessed with wonderful children.
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