Your Golden Years, Your Golden Challenge

This book informs the reader of the major preventative health recommendations now
practiced by the medical community. Prior to the middle of the last century medical
care was primarily episodic. Patients did not see their doctor until they were acutely
ill. Now, the advances in medical knowledge of disease processes and the availability
of improved diagnostic techniques and treatments have focused medical practice on
the prevention of disease. In other words, before the occurrence of a heart attack,
stroke, diabetes, and even cancer, there are detectable underlying disorders which,
when discovered and treated early, can prevent life limiting disease. Four underlying
disorders, namely, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids, elevated blood sugar
and overweight are major risk factors for the chronic diseases. Five chronic diseases,
namely, coronary artery disease, cancer, lung disease, stroke and diabetes are responsible
for 80 per cent of deaths in the American population. This book presents a preventive
care plan in seven steps designed to counter these risk factors and diseases, and
extend both the length and quality of life. The seven steps are discussed as separate
chapters: Exercise, Weight, Health Evaluation, Non-prescription Agents, A Medical
Approach, A Surgical Approach and "Preventive-Preventive Care."



Doctors have learned that the chronic diseases associated with aging usually do not
start in older age, but often are present by middle age and younger. Then, changes in
lifestyle and early treatment to control the known risk factors and underlying disorders
are most effective in extending both the length and quality of life. This book will
provide pertinent medical information for the reader to embrace a "golden challenge"
of preventive care to know and to fully enjoy the rewarding "golden years" ahead.