Raising Awareness: June is Men’s Health, PTSD Awareness month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  June is Men's Health Awareness Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness to diseases that are common among males.

To raise awareness of these diseases, health care providers encourage men to receive regular medical checkups.

"The most common diseases that affect men are heart disease, lung, colon and skin cancer and strokes," said Ashley Rachal, 2nd Aerospace Medical Squadron dietician. "Prevention is essential among young men because we often do not think about our health and prevention of diseases until we are much older, and then it is too late."

Additionally, men are twice as likely to die from heart disease than women because men do not seek medical care as often as women, Rachal added.

Diet and fitness are essential components to preventing these diseases.

"Exercising is only as good as your diet," Rachal said. "It does not matter how much you exercise if you eat nothing but fast, fatty and highly-processed foods. Men can decrease their risks by increasing their fiber intake through fruits, vegetables and whole grains. By doing this, men will live a healthier lifestyle and prevent the common diseases amongst men."

June is also post-traumatic stress disorder awareness month, which aims to raise public understanding of PTSD and effective treatments.

"Raising PTSD awareness is important because a lot of cases go undiagnosed, and treatment is not sought out early," said Capt. Sadie Irving, 2nd Medical Operations Squadron psychiatric nurse practitioner. "By starting treatment as soon as possible, those affected by PTSD could be better prepared."

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, PTSD will affect 7 to 8 percent of the U.S. population. The percentage is much higher in the military due to an increased risk of danger.

"The mental health clinic provides many services for those suffering from PTSD, including cognitive processing therapy," said Irving.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs website, CPT aims to teach those suffering from PTSD how to recognize symptoms, become aware of the thoughts and feelings associated with them, how to obtain the necessary skills to deal with these changes and how to understand and cope with those thoughts and beliefs.

By raising awareness for common men's health issues and PTSD, Airmen are more capable of preventing future health problems, and are able to focus on the mission.