Facing Your Fifties: Every Man's Reference Guide to Mid-Life Health

This comprehensive guide will speak directly to fifty-something men about every major and many minor health issues that they are facing, with information on illness, treatments, prevention, drugs, exercise, mental health, hormones, and more, so they understand these changes and know what preventative maintenance they can do to insure a long, healthy life.

This compendium of medical information is addressed to men in their 50s, but much of the advice could apply to other adult males. With the assistance of journalist Miller, Ehlers, a practicing physician and faculty member at the Swedish Hospital Family Medicine Residency in Colorado, covers almost every aspect of physical and mental health. There are separate sections on cardiovascular and respiratory disease, digestive problems, cancer and the musculoskeletal system. Included also is a chapter on how to deal with stress and depression. Perhaps of particular interest to aging males is a lengthy discussion of sexual issues that arise in middle age, such as a decreased sex drive owing to hormonal changes. Ehlers offers advice for dealing with the physical changes and emotional problems that may result, and suggests ways to continue to have a satisfactory sex life. In fact, all of the medical information presented here is clearly written and practical. Ehlers is explicit about the dangers of smoking and also gives useful advice about what kinds of medical tests one might want to request. He details ways to improve health through exercise, diet and lifestyle choices. Although the topics covered are widely available in other home health books, 50-something men looking for a more age-targeted reference book will welcome this addition.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

These two titles join the growing body of literature on men's health, but each approaches the subject from a very different perspective. Ehlers, a physician who specializes in adult and geriatric medicine, and freelance writer Miller focus on leading a fulfilling life by staying healthy; theirs is a traditional health reference stressing that "it's important to know when you need professional help and when you don't." While they emphasize ailments that men in their 50s may face, they provide a full home health reference in clear, up-to-date language with many convenient, informative tables. Overall, this is a good health guide for men that will answer common complaints and assist in determining whether to seek professional advice. Diamond (Male Menopause) offers an eight-week program to help men over 40 reclaim their passion, power, and purpose to live a fuller and more rewarding life. Essentially, he takes a New Age approach, with chapters on physical and emotional well-being; food; intimate and other partnerships; stress management, irritability, and anger; mind-altering substances; and spiritual life. Less scientifically rigorous and hence of limited value, The Whole Man Program is an optional purchase. Facing Your Fifties is recommended for consumer health collections. James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.