AntiAging Q & A

AntiAging Q & A
by Rashmi Gulati, MD

What is anti-aging medicine?

The term “anti-aging medicine” refers to any procedure, treatment or healthy lifestyle change that can help you prolong health by preventing disease, identifying and reducing disease risk factors, treating disease or otherwise simply optimize your health and wellness.

What are some examples of anti-aging medicine?

Some of the most common examples are having your blood pressure measured or your cholesterol levels evaluated, having a mammogram or prostate exam, or undergoing hormone replacement therapy. All of these work by helping you and your doctor optimize your health by identifying risk factors associated with the aging process and age-related diseases, and taking action to correct deficiencies so you can optimize the way your body works. Other types of anti-aging medicine include meditation, yoga and other techniques to reduce chronic stress and promote brain health.

Why is anti-aging medicine important?

Studies have shown as much as 90 percent of illnesses that occur in adulthood are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging, including high-blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, glaucoma, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Anti-aging medicine is aimed at identifying the risk factors that contribute to these disease as well as diagnosing existing diseases in their very earliest stages so the damage they cause can be corrected or reversed.

How can I tell what types of anti-aging medicine are right for me?

As with any medical treatment, the best way to develop a comprehensive plan of care when it comes to anti-aging medicine is to begin with a thorough physical exam and personal and family medical history to help identify risk factors. Depending on those factors and others, diagnostic testing and lab work may be ordered to gain a clearer overall picture. Once all the data have been collected, a customized plan will be developed specifically for your needs.

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