Living Longer For Dummies

by Bortz, Walter M.

• ISBN13: 9780764553356
• ISBN10: 0764553356
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-19
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

What's the average human life span...72 years...78 years? Actually, science has determined that humans were designed to live 120 years, and that, until now, most people died too soon. It's also now clear that most of the maladies we commonly associate with aging, such as frailty, senility, and arthritis aren't part of nature's plan, but the result of other factors such as bad nutrition, disease ,and disuse. Best of all is the news that, no matter how old you are or what shape you're in, you can take steps to reverse the aging process that has already occurred in you and to slow your rate of aging in the future.You're never too old-or too young-to begin living a longer, healthier life, and Living Longer For Dummies can show you how. Written by a leading national expert on aging, it's packed with life-changing tips on nutrition, exercise, attitude and behavior, that can help enhance and sustain your physical and psychological well- being to age 100 and beyond. You'll discover how to: Slow your rate of aging Reverse many of the effects of aging Avoid maladies associated with age Keep your mind and senses sharp Maintain limberness and muscle tone Keep your energy level high Rebound from illness Stay sexually activeDr. Bortz shatters common myths about aging and explains, in plain English, what science now knows about the normal aging process in humans. And he explores a wide range of life-prolonging topics, including: Getting good health care Exercising to stay healthy for life Eating right for a long life Getting adequate rest and relaxation Using alternative medicine and exercise techniques Maintaining brain-power Having sex to prolong your life and coping with sexual difficulties Handling health crisesThe number of people age 100 and older increases a whopping 8 percent every year in the United States? If you choose to, you can become one of them someday. Let Living Longer For Dummies show you how.

Author Biography

Walter M. Bortz, M.D., teaches at Stanford University Medical School. He is the past president of the American Geriatrics Society and a physician at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Part I: The Mental and Physical Aspects of Living Longer	7	(84)
What in the World Is Aging Anyway?	9	(12)
Getting Good Healthcare	21	(14)
Exercising to Keep Your Health for Life	35	(18)
Fueling Your Future with Good Food!	53	(16)
Getting Your R&R	69	(10)
Using Alternative Medicine and Exercise Techniques	79	(12)
Part II: The Psychological Aspects of Living Longer	91	(46)
Maintaining Your Brain Power and Engaging in Life ``Sense-ibly''	93	(12)
Living to Work or Working to Live?	105	(10)
Sex Matters	115	(12)
Building Your Last Nest	127	(10)
Part III: Handling a Health Crisis	137	(30)
Understanding Your Role in an Emergency Situation	139	(12)
Making the Hospital Work for You	151	(8)
Surgery and the Older Patient	159	(8)
Part IV: The Part of Tens	167	(26)
Ten Keys to a Long, Healthy Life	169	(4)
Ten Reasons to Get Moving	173	(4)
Ten Best Anti-Aging Diet Tips	177	(6)
Ten Ways to Use, Not Lose, Your Mind	183	(6)
Ten Guidelines for Taking Medications Safely	189	(4)
Part V: Appendixes	193	(12)
Appendix A: A Guide to Medicines	195	(6)
Appendix B: Common Conditions and Treatments	201	(4)
Index	205