Routine Maintenance for Men

When it comes to cars, you know when to change the oil, rotate the tires, and have the front end aligned. But you may not be as diligent about caring for your body as you are about your car.

The body needs routine maintenance, no matter how many miles you have on it. Some men never get that care, and end up breaking down on the road, so to speak. For many that's because they have no dealership to remind them when they're due for service.

"People bounce around from doctor to doctor and no one is really working with them on an ongoing basis," says Rick Kellerman, MD, president-elect of the American Family Physicians, who practices in Wichita, Kan.

"I think the No. 1 thing is probably establishing a relationship with a physician that you know, and that you trust, and that you can communicate with," he tells WebMD.

In addition to having a primary doctor, wouldn't it be nice to have a basic maintenance schedule for your health? Well, here you go.

Keep in mind that the following schedule is meant for generally healthy men. Recommendations may differ for men who have -- or once had -- significant medical problems, or have other factors that might increase risks.

Every Day

• Fill up with good fuel.

The National Institutes of Health encourages men to eat 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

Like your car, your body needs quality fuel to keep it running smoothly. Fruits and vegetables should make up a large part of your diet. Fatty foods, which leave deposits in your arteries like dirty gasoline leaves deposits in your engine, should make up only a small part of it.

• Rev your motor.

  Ideally, you should exercise every day. The CDC and the American College of Sports Medicine jointly recommend 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (for example, a brisk walk that increases your heart rate and breathing) on most days of the week.

• Clean your grille.

  Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. Good oral hygiene prevents tooth decay and gum disease, which can be painful, unattractive, and expensive to treat.

• Protect yourself.

  Use condoms. Condoms are used for birth control and to help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Monthly

• Testicular self-exam

A conscientious car owner examines belts and hoses every month. He should also check his testicles that often.

A self-exam A self-exam is simple and quick. Gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers, feeling for any abnormal lumps. If you do feel a lump, talk to your doctor without delay.

• Skin self-exam

  Rust spots on your vehicle's exterior should be fixed before they spread. Likewise, you should keep a close watch on your skin for moles that could be cancerous. Take a moment once a month to examine your whole body, using a mirror to see your back. A suspicious mole is one that is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, uneven color, is larger than a pencil eraser, or seems to be changing in size, shape, or color.