[...]... the checkup, your doctor can order the appropriate medical tests to detect any health problems you might have, based on your family health history and other personal risk factors Seeing your doctor regularly also can help you 3 4 T HE H EALTHY M AN develop an effective patient-doctor relationship so you can become an active, informed consumer and take control of your health and medical care Note that... exotic herbs and spices to enliven the flavor of foods, both new and familiar And be sure to balance what you eat with physical activity to maintain your proper body weight Dietary Guidelines for Americans The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services periodically publish Dietary Guidelines for Americans These guidelines are designed to help people not only... is your responsibility to provide your doctor with specific information about your health, such as details about symptoms, so that he or she can perform needed tests, make an accurate diagnosis, and provide effective treatment Use this section of the book to find out how to stay healthy longer by adopting good health habits The best disease-preventing measures include consuming a healthy diet, exercising... of their own health by becoming better informed about health issues and their personal health risks Men today are also making better lifestyle choices—eating more healthfully, not smoking, and exercising regularly Such healthy lifestyle choices have been shown to help prevent the development of heart disease and some cancers—the top two causes of death in the United States These good health habits,... Then consult the following chart to see your risk for health problems BMI Weight-Related Health Status Less than 18.5 Underweight 18.5–24.9 Healthy weight 25–29.9 Overweight 30 or more Obese With a BMI of 27, you are overweight Talk to your doctor about starting a diet and exercise program to help you lose the excess weight It’s even simpler to consult the following table to find out your BMI Find your... thing you can do to improve your overall health because, even if you eat right and exercise, the unhealthful effects of smoking will shorten your life Practicing unsafe sex is another risky behavior that can have serious— sometimes fatal health consequences Doctors know that early detection of disease often leads to more effective treatment That’s why it’s important to see your doctor for checkups... This area of the panel also shows the daily recommended values of such nutrients as total fat and cholesterol in a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet You need to pay special attention to the listed nutrients that pertain to your particular health status and family health history (see page 80) For example, if you have a family history of heart disease, you will probably be most interested in the percent of daily... from your doctor before participating in any type of vigorous exercise program After 14 T HE H EALTHY M AN the doctor gives you the all-clear signal, try these tips to get you off to a good start and help you stick to your exercise regimen: • Set reasonable goals If you can only jog lightly for 5 minutes at first, don’t try to do more right away • Listen to your body It will tell you when to slow down... to your doctor You should also stop exercising immediately if you have any symptoms of a heart attack (see page 66) Some athletes exercise too much, especially if they are training for an upcoming event such as a marathon Overtraining is self-defeating It causes physical exhaustion and adversely affects your athletic performance If you think you may be overtraining, you need to recognize when to stop... symptoms, stop exercising for a day or more to give your body time to rest Decrease your activity level in both duration and frequency If exercise becomes a compulsive act for you, talk to your doctor Exercising beyond the point of exhaustion, when injured, or to the exclusion of other activities and life interests can be signs of exercise addiction Excessive exercising produces results that are completely . alt="" Complete Guide to Men’s Health Other books by the American Medical Association American Medical Association Family Medical Guide American Medical Association Complete Guide to Women’s Health American. Cookbook American Medical Association Guide to Your Family’s Symptoms American Medical Association Essential Guide to Asthma American Medical Association Essential Guide to Depression American Medical. Medical Association Essential Guide to Hypertension American Medical Association Essential Guide to Menopause Complete Guide to Men’s Health Angela Perry, MD Internal Medicine Medical Editor Mark