Show ily had breast cancer or diabetes or Alzheimer’s— or any other of the 5000 diseases Qiat are to some extent genetical-l- y transmitted —you can take steps to reduce your own vulnerability What this means is that when you a checkup in addition to telling go your doctor about your own medical background you also should provide all the available health history of your fa (Q0feandMetfomHCITat)let$ immediate family Researching documenting and volunteering this information is worth the time and effort WORKS 2 WAYS IM Mtt practical appnacfe: TO GIVE ME BETTER AskcaesUaas What exactly should you be look- -' ing for and how should you go about getting the information? The best and simplest way is to ask your living relatives about their own health The next step is to inquire what they remember about the health histo- ry of family members who have passed BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL!1 Two powerful medications combined to work together: ' HELPS YOUR BODY RELEASE MORE INSULIN on: their chronic illnesses at what ages they died and from what causes The most important ones are your parents and siblings Second-degre- e family member — grandparents aunts and uncles —also should be queried Cousins are somewhat less relevant because they have genes that you do not From a practical point of view most people simply obtain this information by asking Theoretically you could dig up death certificates and other records (but none of my own patients has gone thatfar) Which disorder! to ask about Don’t bother too much with trying to learn exactly what your grandfather died of at 95 As my mother would have said “You should be so lucky” (I have noticed that the obituaries of those in their late 80s and 90s rarely include a cause of death —something that's virtually always listed for younger persons) But why someone passed on in his or her 60s or younger is of concern Also focus on the more common causes of death such as heart disease and cancer As many as 15 of patients with colon cancer have a family history of the disease as do men with prostate cancer Try to be specific about cancet A diagnosis of “death from a fmale cancer” is not enough It could have been either continued MMOCMMAZN s900inwKe - VT and HELPS YOU USE INSULIN MORE EFFECTIVELY glllCGVdnCG’ lowers blood sugar better than the leading diabetes pill you need better blood sugar control ask your doctor about Glucovance When diet and exercise are not enough adding Glucovance can help you lower your blood sugar better than the leading diabetes pill Glucovance works differently than other leading medications: it helps your body release more insulin and works in part by helping your body use insulin more effectively Glucovance works in these ways to provide powerful blood sugar control By taking Glucovance you may be able to take less medication to control your blood sugar If IMPORTANT INFpRMATON: GLUCOVANCE is not for everyone In rare cases GLUCOVANCE may cause lactic acidosis (buildup of lactic add in the blood) which is serious and can be fatal in half the cases This occurs mainly in people whose kidneys are not functioning properly Tell your doctor about your akohol use because it can affect your risk You should not take GLUCOVANCE if you have kidney problems are 80 or older (unless your kidneys have been tested) are taking medication for heart failure are seriously dehydrated have a severe infection or if you have or have had liver disease The most common side effect is diarrhea Symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) such as lightheaded ness ' dizziness shakiness or hunger may also occur Please seeaddhional important patient information on next page Ask YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT SlltCOiVdnCG J — wwwLGiucovANaxoM A kadcr In typf 2 dbbcta Mrtfonnin Hd k to iMdtag 125mg2SOmg 25mgS00mg 5mg500mg an dUxtu p 6kKSwnaf b ragMOTd todmik at Mwd SMt SAS " NMdrtt of Muck KGA of DwimUdl Garni Lkamad to IriMoUlyM Squfeb Comp MBM OrtMal Myn Squtb CnmpnyL Prtncrton HJ 00S43 Printed ki USA tawd My 2002 ' |