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Ever hear the old story about the man going to his doctor for a routine checkup just because it's the suggested thing to do? Chances are you haven't, so sit back, relax, and read along as I spin the tale.
Wait a second here. There is no story to tell. No yarn to spin.
Men, unless prompted by having to have physicals or checkups for work or insurance purposes, mostly avoid doctors. Is this something I'm saying? Yes and no. Yes, it's my opinion, but I'm also a guy, and have seen this firsthand. I also stand guilty of the charge. On the other hand, however, a study by a New York group also confirms a manly suspicion. Perhaps women, especially mothers and wives, suspect as much. Let’s not go any further on that thought. Women often know much more than us men give them credit for, and perhaps they already knew this bit of information before the study was released. Now that would be scary.
According to the study, women are much more likely than men to visit the doctor. This holds true not only when they are sick, but also in terms of regular checkups.
The research demonstrates that one out of every four men in the United States did not visit a doctor during 1998. Women, on the other hand, were three times more likely to go to the doctor’s office, as scheduled, for their routine checkups, female exams, and when they were sick.
Phew! I, for one, was not guilty of the 1998 statistic. I saw two different doctors, both family practitioners, in 1998, and feel rather good that I stand apart from the crowd. Let’s not talk about 1997, 1996, 1995, or beyond that.
One of every third man participating in the survey said they didn’t have a regular doctor, and half the men in the survey said they had not had a physical examination or a cholesterol test in the prior year.
About one-quarter of the men in the survey, conducted by the New York research group, the Commonwealth Fund, said they avoided the dreaded doctor as long as humanly possible. Well, as long as manly possible, anyway.
You know how men are: all of us are macho and have the image of strength and virility to maintain at all times. We can never let down our guard. If we admit we are sick and need medical attention, good heavens, we are admitting to everyone that we are human. Oh, what a hideous crime that would be! We could lose membership in the universal manhood club. No, I’m not kidding. It’s in the rulebook.
Because men tend to avoid doctors, in all situations, analysts believe the discrepancy of male versus female doctor visits helps account for the fact that women tend to live about six years longer than men. Heck, I thought the reason behind that was because the men who died before their wives had looked at one too many boxes from the local women’s apparel shop, whether from Fifth Avenue, the local garment district, or perhaps it was the local department store.
Men, according to the survey, are also twice as likely as women to die from heart ailments and chronic liver disease. Isn’t that a comforting thought?
If you’re a man who is putting off a visit to the family doc, listen to me: GO! Follow the Biblical example of Abraham and just follow the one word direction. GO! You know the way to the office, correct? If not, call the doctor’s office and ask the receptionist how to get to their location from your home. I’m certain they will be more than willing to draw you a map. They might even use crayon, if you prefer. I know that would be my choice. The colors would be nicer and brighter.
If you’re a woman and know a guy who is putting off a visit to the doc, get him to go. Even go so far as to make an appointment for him and escort him. Does that sound like a mother’s responsibility? Perhaps, but if you love him and want to keep him around for a few more years, it could make all the difference in the world.
Why am I so adamant on the subject? Because I almost avoided a visit to the local emergency room New Years Eve. Had I delayed the trip, as I planned for a day or two after New Years, I would have been dead, the doctors there told me. Don't get me wrong. The emergency room doctor treating me didn't share that information with me. The doctor who oversaw my treatment while I was in an ICU bed for almost a week with a severe case of pneumonia was the one who broke the bad news. In fact, he was rather blunt about it, as well. "Had you waited another two hours to get to the hospital, you would have been dead," were his words. I still hear them echo in my head. And to think I was content to pop two more acetaminophen tablets and head back to bed. That would have proven to be one long sleep.
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"Doctors
and men or is it oil and water?"
