Annual physical

The annual physical is not particularly an enjoyable way to spend your time; however, I look forward to it each year so I can see if the things I have done during the previous year have been good for me. It turns out I have a very unusual family doctor that really cares about my preventative health practices. He does not want me to have anything wrong and never, never, tries to build a fee by prescribing drugs for me to take. Not only that he will take a minimum of two hours to sit and ask me questions pertaining to my good health. I have always assured him that I feel it is my responsibility to do healthy things for my body that will make his job an easy one. He does appreciate that and works with me to make sure everything is healthy and functioning right. In my father’s generation they just did the things they wanted and then expected the doctors to “fix” it, kind of like have the engine replaced on your automobile, etc. At this time I have not received all of the blood work results from him, but as I walked away from the exam last week everything was fine and healthy. The prostate exam is not especially something we men cherish but the “feel it” test is still be the best way to determine if something bad is going on with that little walnut sized part of the body. We will also have the results of the PSA test that is used by many doctors as the real story within the prostate; however, this testing is not as well thought of as it was when it first came out. So, with the finger check, and the PSA we will know what is going on in that secluded part of the inner workings. Men over 50 should have an exam yearly so you can imagine what it is like if you are over 70. The EKG reading was the same as last year so that tells me that my aerobic exercise is doing the job and I will stay on course with what I have been doing.

For today I would say again, eat right, exercise physically and mentally, take responsibility for your own health(don’t leave it up to the government) and enjoy life. Make it a goal not to just live a long life, but live a productive and healthy long life.

Mike Greer