Dr. Carstensen Express Medicine

Earl J. Carstensen, MD

Adult Primary Care

Yogi Berra on Prevention

"You'll get old pretty young--if you don't take care of yourself"
--Yogi Berra

Prevention Tips for Men:

printable version

Testingfinds early disease.Eating, exercise, good nutrition & immunizations prevent disease.

Preventive Services Summary

http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm & http://www.ahrq.gov/realmen

Nutrition: Good choices: "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan, "South Beach" "The Omega Diet".

Physical activity: Moderate intensity (slight breathing & heart rate increase) 30 minutes 5 days or high (large increase in breathing & heart rate) intensity 3 days a week. Being inactive is more harmful to you than smoking. (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/561348)

Healthy Weight: BMI over 30 is unhealthy. (http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi).

Multivitamins, Minerals: Generic "Centrum" is a good guide. Buy "silver" if over 55yo.

3-4 fruits and 5-6 vegetables daily prevent heart disease, stroke, and many cancers.

Calcium: The daily requirement is 1000mg. Foods are the best source of calcium. (http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/how-much-calcium) If a supplement is needed, calcium citrate is the best form. The current calcium heart disease concern applies to calcium supplements taken alone, taking 1000iu of Vitamin D counters this risk.

Tobacco in any form is harmful.

Caffeine: two per day is a sensible limit.

Alcohol: Above 14 per wk, 4 per occasion is risky.

Muscle Loss: If we don't exercise with weights, we lose 3-5% of our muscle every 10 years. "Getting old" can be the loss of strength and stamina from inactivity.

Sun protection prevents skin cancer. We should check any growing or changing spot.

Hearing loss: Protect your ears from loud noises.

Seat belts & Helmets: Wear them.

West Nile: Use DEET containing repellant during mosquito season.

Herbs and supplements, like prescriptions, change body chemistry. They are manufactured and sold without proof of safety, effectiveness, or quality. Use wisely

Blood pressure over 120/80 is unhealthy, over 140/90 needs medication.

Cholesterol: LDL is harmful and should be less than 100; HDL is healthy and should be greater than 45. Men test at 35yo, women at 45yo; at 20yo if high risk for heart disease. (www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd07/gcp2a.htm#Lipid)

Colon Cancer--is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men & women and the second leading cause of cancer death. Begin checks at 50y/o. Of the several proven effective methods, checking stool for blood is the simplest. If you have close family members with polyps and/or colon cancer, checking should start sooner. Vitamin D 1000iu daily reduces colon cancer by 50%.
(http://www.coloradoguidelines.org/pdf/guidelines
/colorectalcancer/colorectal_cancer_guideline_2009.pdf)

Prostate Cancer Checks:The American Cancer Society, "No major scientific or medical organization supports routine prostate cancer testing at this time." (Feb 08). High risk groups: Afro-American might consider at 45yo and men with father and brother(s) having cancer before 60yo should consider at 40yo. (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/prosguide.pdf)
Aortic Aneurysm Testing is advised for MEN at 65 years IF HE EVER SMOKED. (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaneu.htm)
Aspirin: One adult (325mg) ONLY if you have had a stroke, TIA, heart attack or blood vessels disease. One baby (75mg) aspirin 45-79yo at high risk for heart attack and stroke AND low risk for bowel bleeding. (http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsasmi.htm)
Immunizations:
- Influenza shot each fall unless you are allergic to eggs. (www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf)
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Whooping Cough (Tdap) every 10yrs. At 65yo then Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td). Whooping cough (pertussis) booster for adults began in 2005. This is especially important for adults around children. (www.immunize.org/vis/tdap.pdf)
- Zostavax for 'shingles' is advised at 60yo. (www.immunize.org/vis/shingles.pdf)
- Pneumovax advised at age 65 to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. Earlier if you have chronic illness. (www.immunize.org/vis/pneum3.pdf)
- Hepatitis B is recommended for health care workers, anyone with potential exposure to blood, intravenous drug users, people with multiple sexual partners, and household contacts or sexual partners of hepatitis B carriers. Available at Tri-County Health Dept 303-363-3042. (www.immunize.org/vis/hepb01.pdf)

Contact Us
East West Health Center
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
8200 E Belleview, #220-C
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Tel 303-694-5757
Fax 303-741-1387
Email: earljc@comcast.net