Our bodies are finely-tuned wonders. In the medical field, professionals like Nurse Practitioner Geoffrey McGowen are trained to look for a variety of health conditions that can impact wellness. Those working in urology coordinate care with primary care physicians or other providers.
Health maintenance considerations include:
• A patient’s weight/level of nutrition.
• Use of supplements/stimulants as well as the presence of Tobacco/alcohol/ substance abuse.
• Level of physical activity or trauma from sports or recreational activities.
• Family history risk factors.
• State of mental health (suicide, depression, PTSD).
• CV risk factors Colorectal disease/GERD STD risk/past STD.
It’s important for patients to be honest and forthcoming when they notify a medical provider about past health conditions.
After age 40, health screenings may include:
• Lipid profile.
• Hypertension.
• Metabolic assessment.
• Alcohol misuse.
• Obesity (BMI, WC, total testosterone).
• Urinalysis.
• Fasting blood sugar.
• Additional blood work depending on complaint.
• Immunizations.
• Discussion of Preventative Services for HIV, Hepatitis, STDs, and TB in increased risk behavior/illicit drug users.
• Thyroid screening.
• Fecal occult blood screening.
• Diabetes screening (if there’s a family history).
• Eye Examination.
• Bone health screening.
Of course, cancer is always something to watch for. Screening for this may include a testicular self-examination, skin examination, colorectal cancer screening, and a prostate cancer screening, especially for those with a strong family history or ages 55 or older.
Sexual health is also important to patients, including males who may suffer such conditions as infertility, scrotal disorders, Peyronie’s (fibrous plaque in the penis), and premature and other ejaculation disorders. Urologically specific conditions can include Hematuria (blood in urine), UTI, Urolithiasis (the process of forming stones in the kidney, bladder and/or urethra), genitourinary pain, bowel dysfunction, or dysuria (pain or discomfort while urinating).
As you can see, there are many ways this sophisticated vessel called the human body is affected by our health and the ways we treat ourselves. It’s important to have regular check-ups and make good choices to keep our bodies in optimal shape.
See http://www.AUAnet.org for additional men’s health articles and references.
Geoffrey McGowen, FNP-C, CEN, is a Nurse Practitioner. He is accepting new patients in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He attended medical school at University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill School Of Medicine and graduated in 2014. He is available for appointments, preventative care, medical care as well as ongoing patient care.