Unfortunately when it comes to doctor-patient confidentiality only 38 percent of men between the age 55 and 64 don’t behave like Donald Trump. Similar to the new President’s press conferences, when it comes to talking to their doctors about their health and problems, most men slip into Trump mode, stretching the truth, neglecting important details and telling flat out lies.
So, here are some of the deceptions that men with health issues love to pass off as truths.
Lie: I have no trouble getting an erection.
Some 15 to 30 million American men under the 65 struggle with erectile dysfunction, but the vast majority would rather sweep the problem under the carpet the way Donald Trump tries to deny that the Kremlin helped him to win the presidency. Erectile dysfunction is linked to thyroid dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
Lie: urinating isn’t a problem.
Okay, it’s normal for some people to feel squeamish about talking about bathroom stuff. But when you like about it, fibbing to your doctor about going more frequently or feeling pain, you start to sound like Trump fudging facts about Russian golden showers. It is especially disconcerting because urination difficulties could be a sign of prostate problems.
Lie: I’m not depressed.
Men are about as willing to reveal the state of their mental health as Donald Trump is willing to reveal his taxes. Men often have difficulty expressing their emotional vulnerability. But, keep in mind that not only does depression affect our quality of life, but men dealing with depression are also at greater risk for suicide.
Lie: My bowel movements are normal.
Men who have blood in their stool, and pain or changes in their bowel habits often downplay their symptoms or live in denial about the condition, fearing what their doctor might discover if they tell the truth: diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a fissure, an abscess or colon cancer. Living in such a state of denial is reminiscent of Donald Trump denying the truth about the number of supporters who attended his inauguration.
Lie: I don’t snore.
It’s like President Trump saying he respects women when everyone knows it isn’t true. Of course, men may not hear themselves snoring, but when their partners’ warn them about the condition, many men just brush it off. But snoring and breathing interruptions are often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition plaguing 18 million Americans. It can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and type-2 diabetes, among others.
Lie: I see just fine… I hear just fine.
Men consistently lie or fudge the facts about how poor their vision and hearing have become, probably because of the stigma attached to growing old. Denial is a dangerous game because your vision and hearing can be seriously compromised if symptoms are not taken seriously. Don’t be like Trump and go into denial mode, insisting that when the facts are working against you that it is nothing but fake news. Sad. So Sad
