Taking Charge of Our Health is More Important Than Ever

This post is sponsored by Depend. All thoughts are uniquely my own.

Are you speaking up for your own health? While I’ve discussed this before, this year it seems like things are so different in this time we’re living through right now. We know that things are not going to be “normal” for quite some time and we can’t put off things like health issues until things calm down — because we don’t know when that will be. Plus waiting on health issues to correct themselves may not happen. I have family members that have faced huge challenges and I’m facing a couple of health challenges myself. But one thing that hasn’t changed, I know that I need to speak up for myself, health-wise. This is why taking charge of our health is more important than ever.

For me, I turned 50 last winter and I’ve had two big health issues. One was this summer when I started having very abnormal menstrual cycles. So much so that I had to see my doctor because I knew something wasn’t right. Sure enough they found an ovarian cyst that I needed to get biopsied. While it turned out to be benign, we found that there was a reason for my abnormal menstrual cycles and I will be taking care of that this month. It was scary, but I couldn’t just ignore it. Okay, I actually didn’t want to deal with it, but it just became too much. A relative is going through something similar now and I’m glad that they did not ignore their symptoms. I will be okay, I hope my relative will be okay too. Another issue I’m going through is with one of my eyes, which we are monitoring. But it also wasn’t something I could ignore. What are you doing to stay on top of your health?

Here are Some Tips to Keep on Top of Your Health

1. Schedule all your checkups at least once a year. You can spread them out or schedule around the fall so you can take advantage of your deductible/use your HSA account to pay for your visits, treatments and medications. Make sure to make a checklist to make sure you are seeing all your relevant doctors. You should be seeing your general practitioner, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, etc. and any other major doctors that you see yearly.
2. Take good notes to make sure you write down what your doctors say. If you need to do an audio recording to help you remember, just ask your doctor’s permission. If you are doing a telehealth, ask if you can record your video.
3. Make sure your family members are making their annual checkups also. That includes your parents and your children.
4. For any diagnoses, make sure you get a second opinion. Sometimes things can be misdiagnosed.
5. Telehealth appointments can be a great way to connect with a doctor easier these days if you have a condition that you can check in video-wise about (i.e. if you just need medication refills).

For men specifically, I want to express the importance  of paying attention to their health, especially prostate health. Did you know that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and that incontinence is one of the leading side effects for prostate cancer survivors?

I’m proud that Depend®, who has been so supportive of me and my incontinence journey, has teamed up with actor and health advocate Boris Kodjoe for the launch of the Stand Strong for Men’s Health™ initiative to celebrate men taking charge of their health and destigmatize incontinence.

Boris Kodjoe states that watching a close friend and mentor battle prostate cancer inspired him to start honest conversations around issues like incontinence, a leading side effect of the disease. Kodjoe also says, “As men, many of us don’t like to talk about personal issues like our health because we don’t want to be seen as weak or vulnerable, but the statistics show why we need these conversations. Data from PCF (Prostate Cancer Foundation) suggests that Black men are 75 percent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die of the disease. I’m excited to stand up with Depend to fight the stigma.”

LEGAL: ^†Depend shall donate to Prostate Cancer Foundation $0.50 for each Depend Shields, Guards or Depend Real Fit product purchased between 9/1/21-9/30/21 and 11/1/21-11/30/21. Min. Donation $150,000/Max. Donation $350,000. Void in MS. For more information , go to PCF.org

So, let’s be our own advocates for our health!