21. Male stubbornness can be deadly

Men, listen to the women in your life about their medical concerns for your health. Too often when I take a history from the male patient and his wife in the room I almost feel that there are two realities. The patient is terse, not forthcoming, and less informed even about his own bodily functions. The wife gives the useful, clear and detailed history. Never mind the why, it just is.

The message is that, generally speaking, men are filled with psychological traits dangerous to their collective health, while their wives are the ones to make, demand, cajole, force them to present to the health care system prior to the crisis. A crisis takes choice away and the men then choose to show up or suffer greatly, including death. I would say that, in general, once you reach a certain age, something like 45 or so, if the significant other says you need to see a doctor just go and do not fight it. It is probably in your best interest as well as the best interest of the family.