An open, honest relationship with your family doctor is a crucial component to your total health. It’s important to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise program and to understand issues that come with different ages and lifestyles. Here are a few suggestions for topics to discuss with your doctor in order to stay active and healthy.

Exercise and Nutrition
See your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have a history of heart trouble, high blood pressure or arthritis, of if you often feel dizzy or have chest pains.
Discuss how good nutrition will help with your exercise program, your health in general and how BOOST can play a major role in your overall nutrition.

The following factors play a major role in your overall health, so make sure you go over them when meeting with your doctor for any reason:
Age Family History Heart disease High Blood Pressure High cholesterol Stress Mental health Cancer Vision Smoking Inactivity and poor diet Excess weight Other health problems (such as diabetes)

Women and men both face similar health issues, though at different ages. There are also gender specific health concerns that need to be addressed.

Men should consult with their doctor about:
Prostate exam Impotence Testicular cancer Hair loss

Women should consult with their doctor about:
Reproductive health Pregnancy issues Breast cancer Menopause Cervical cancer

If you’re a caregiver, there are certain items you’ll need to discuss such as:
What specific duties are expected of you in caring for someone? Depending on their condition, what situations you could expect from the person you’re caring for. How you can learn more about the person’s condition or illness. What to expect as the illness progresses. How to properly plan your daily care giving activities. How you can stay healthy physically and emotionally.