Look Out for Diabetes

What should a man over fifty be concerned about? What can be done inexpensively and accurately that means something to his health? The AHRQ has published a check list. I think it is incomplete but it represents a good start. Let me evaluate the list and tell you what I think they got right. First the core recommendations are solid and have great evidence to back them up. Diabetes Destroyer Review The recommendations are for a man over 50 to abstain from tobacco, use alcohol moderately if at all, get regular exercise, reduce weight to ideal level and maintain that level and eat a healthy diet. I presume they mean like the diet recommended by another government agency that published the recommendations under the title MyPyramid.The next set of recommendations are still backed up with good science. Maybe take 81mg. of Aspirin a day. 

The rest can be argued with but over all are pretty solid also. Get checked for obesity - your doctor will determine your BMI. Easy and cheap. Screen for high blood pressure. OK, take the blood pressure in the office and a couple of times at home. Automatic cuffs are cheap and accurate so you can check it yourself at home regularly. Do a screening for cholesterol and blood sugar - again cheap and easy. Screen for colon cancer. Not cheap or easy - requires a colonoscopy, but smart! Worth the expense.Get screened for depression. Easy, fill out a questionnaire and discuss your answers with your doctor. Get screened for STDs including HIV. OK, herpes type two antibodies, syphilis, and HIV all blood tests. Easy but not cheap unless you get it done at the health department.