The Healthy Boomer: A No-Nonsense Midlife Health Guide for Women and Men
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In North America, some eighty-eight million boomers are facing the physical and personal challenges of midlife. But midlife can also be a time of tremendous vitality, confidence, and joy.In this comprehensive guide, three experts in midlife health draw on interviews, the latest research, and their own expertise to help men, women, and couples on the journey from midlife turbulence to midlife mastery.The Healthy Boomer provides easy-to-use decision-making tools, accurate information, and practical advice on such topics as:The male and female menopause; how to make a decision about hormone replacement therapy; alternative health care; preventing heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis; prostate health and impotence; healthy relationships and great sex in midlife; anti-aging techniques; weight control, exercise, and healthy eating; the importance of spiritual well-being; handling midlife stress; what to do if you can't remember names any more.For the many North American boomers who are experiencing midlife challenges, The Healthy Boomer is required and reassuring reading.
PrefacexiiiAcknowledgementsxixPart IThe Midlife Passage1Chapter 1The Midlife Journey3What Is Midlife?Gender Differences in MidlifeThe Baby Boomer's BirthrightMidlife Is a Time of Reckoning: The Journey BeginsThe Middle Stage Is TurbulentThe RegenerationThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationChapter 2Understanding the Female Menopause15What Is Menopause?Each Woman's Experience is UniqueThe Physical Experience of MenopauseCommon Menopausal ConcernsWhat about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?Managing Menopause without HRTHerbs and MenopauseHistorical and Cultural Perspectives on MenopauseFrom PMS to PMZThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 3Is There a Male Menopause?42Clarifying the TermsWhat Is the Male Menopause Like?The Male Menopause and SexualityDo Men Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?Midlife: Crisis or Opportunity?You Can Overcome the Problems of Male MenopauseThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 4The Search for the Fountain of Youth55Ponce de Leon Must Have Been a Baby BoomerThe Normal Process of AgingThe New Science of Staying YoungCurrent Theories on AgingWhy Do Women Live Longer than Men?Quality Is as Important as QuantityThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookPart IIHow to Die Young ... but as Late as Possible75Chapter 5Making Changes That Last!77A Holistic View of Health and the Midlife JourneyWhat Makes People Healthy? What Makes People Sick?You Don't Need to Kill Yourself to Save Your LifeMaking Changes That LastThe Stages of Change ProcessThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 6Wrinkles, Chin Hairs, and Baldness84Unrealistic StandardsHealthy Skin for LifeNew Help for Wrinkles and Aging SkinHair Today, Gone Tomorrow?Male and Female Differences in MidlifeLiking the Person You See in Your MirrorThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 7The Active Living Solution99The Real Fountain of YouthMidlife InactionThe Active Living SolutionThe Time-and-Motivation CrunchTips for Starting and Sticking with ItFrom Fat to FitGetting StrongFlat Abs and Back PainFlexibility and AgingAre You Ready for an Active Lifestyle?The Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 8Food for Thought: Healthy Eating in Midlife117Nutrition in Midlife: What's New?Back to BasicsEat to Beat Chronic Diseases That Appear After Age FortyThe Vitamin and Mineral ConnectionThe Phytoestrogen StoryThe Skinny on FatThe Creeping Overweight SyndromeComing to Terms with a Middle-Aged BodyWhat Should You Weigh?Are You an Apple or a Pear?Focus on Healthy BehavioursBe a Savvy ConsumerThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 9The Boomer's Drugs of Choice142The French ParadoxThe Pros and Cons of Moderate DrinkingRisky Drinking: How Much Is Too Much?One More Reason to Butt OutWhy Bother to Quit Now?How to Quit for GoodThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 10Growing Apart and Together: Relationships in Midlife155Nurturing Intimate RelationshipsThe Legacy of the PastAn Opportunity for GrowthIngredients of a Healthy RelationshipFamilies in MidlifeFriends Are Good MedicineHelping You Helps MeThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 11Enjoying Sex in Midlife170Sexual Relationships in MidlifeEffects of Aging on Your Sex LifeWhen Sexual Desire WanesKeeping the Spark AliveLove Potion Number NineFertility and Birth Control in MidlifeOh No! I Can't Possibly Have an STD!The Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 12Dealing with Impotence190The Age of ViagraImpotence and AgingHow Does an Erection Occur?Determining the Causes of Impotence: Is It My Hormones or My Head?Impotence and IntimacyInvestigating ImpotenceTreatment Options for Persistent ImpotenceThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 13Stress-Proofing in Midlife205Midlife StressorsWhat Stress Is and Isn'tStress and the Immune SystemThe End of an Illusion: Work-Related Stress in MidlifeBurnout!Is Retirement Good for Your Health?Taking Stock: How Stressed Am I?The Fine Art of Stress-ProofingGetting in Touch with the Relaxation ResponseImproving Your Relationship with StressTips to Shift Your EnergyThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 14Now Where Did I Put Those Glasses?223Understanding MemoryWhat Causes Memory Loss?Estrogen and the Female BrainMemory and Midlife MenAlzheimer Disease and Other DementiasIs It Alzheimer Disease?: Ten Warning SignsWhat HelpsThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 15When Times Are Tough: Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia236Midlife BluesUnderstanding Mood DisordersSome Answers to Key QuestionsAnxiety DisordersNow I Lay Me Down to Sleep (I Hope!)The Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookPart IIIAn Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure263Chapter 16Partners in Health Care265Who's in Charge Here Anyway?The Doctor Will Hear You NowWhat about Psychotherapy?An Ounce of PreventionTesting, Testing: What to Expect at Your Midlife Check-UpUsing the Internet to Learn MoreThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 17Keep Your Bones Strong282Bone BasicsGender Differences in Bone HealthAre You at Risk for Developing Osteoporosis?Testing for OsteoporosisMaintaining Bone HealthTherapies for OsteoporosisThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 18Prostate Health300Prostate Problems and AgingThe Prostate Gland: Growing PainsDiagnosing Prostate ProblemsDo I Have a Prostate Problem?Benign Prostatic HypertrophyProstatitisProstate CancerKeeping Your Prostate HealthyThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 19Breast Health319Aging and Your BreastsBreast AnatomyUnderstanding Your Risk for Breast CancerPromoting Breast Health with a Positive LifestylePreventing Breast Cancer with DrugsDetecting Breast Cancer EarlyMammographyWhat Happens If You Find a Lump?The Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 20You Gotta Have Heart!336The Heart of the MatterMale and Female Heart Disease: Is There a Gender Bias?What Is Your Risk for Coronary Heart Disease?Understanding Blood PressureUnderstanding Blood Fats and Cholesterol: Which One Did You Say Was the Bad One?Reducing Your Risk FactorsWarning Signs: Get Help Fast!Heart and the EmotionsThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 21Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): The Big Decision356Each Woman Is UniqueAn Introduction to Hormones and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)The Advantages of HRTHRT Is Not for EveryoneHRT and Breast CancerA Question of Risks and BenefitsHow to Use the HRT Decision-Making GuideMore Choices: How Should I Take HRT?Emerging TrendsAlternatives to HormonesThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookChapter 22Complementary and Alternative Medicine Is Coming on Strong381The Growing Popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)Why Are People Attracted to CAM?Western Medicine Has ConcernsComplementary and Alternative Therapies: Some of Your OptionsThe Bottom LineContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookPart IVLooking Ahead ...399Chapter 23Body, Mind, and Soul401Spirituality and the BoomersWhat Is Spirituality?Spirituality Is Good for Your HealthPractising Spirituality in Day-to-Day LifeContacts and Further InformationRelated Chapters in This BookConclusion: The Time of Your Life411A Final Word413Notes415Index442
