‘Vitality Place’promotes men’s health

As part of its campaign to increase health awareness in men, Bayer Healthcare Phils. recently launched a mobile wellness facility dubbed as Men’s Vitality Place at Market! Market! in Taguig City

Visitors availed themselves of free medical check-up, massage and even refreshments. During the launch, there were also short talks on common health problems of men and the importance of proper nutrition.

Dr. Mario Garcia, a cardiologist, and Blecenda Varona, a nutritionist, talked about caring for the heart and how to eat healthy to attain wellness.

Dr. Eduardo Gatchalian, a urologist, discussed erectile dysfunction and how to manage it, stressing the importance of regular check-up with a physician.

The Men’s Vitality Place was launched as part of Bayer’s "Strike Up A Conversation" campaign, which aims to help every couple affected by erectile dysfunction to communicate openly about their sexual concerns in order to find a treatment that improves a man’s erectile function and a couple’s quality of life.

Existing research demonstrates that difficulties in communication can prevent a man from finding a treatment that improves his erectile function.

The hesitation of men to talk about their condition could prove to be disastrous because ED may be a manifestation of other serious diseases.

"More often than not, patients with like diabetes, hypertension or heart problems will present with ED as a first symptom," said Dr. Dennis Serrano, a consultant urologist at Manila Doctors Hospital.

The Strike Up a Conversation initiative identifies key barriers to communication and provides ED sufferers, partners and doctors with knowledge, skills and tools to overcome them.

"(ED is) something that we’ve wanted more and more people to come out into the open and discuss with their physician," said Serrano. "Rest assured that when you do consult a physician for ED problems, privacy is of utmost concern. It is not going to be violated. Seeking the help of a physician will not only make the burden of that problem easier to bear, it may actually help you get out of that problem."