Healthcare

Why (And How) We Need To Change Our Approach To Healthcare

20 years ago, people got to spend time with their doctors, and get all their doubts and queries answered by a personal physician. These doctors were often on first name terms with patients, and would be familiar with their medical history

It’s 2017 today. We either go to doctors who treat crowds of people each day, or we shuttle between different physicians depending on the symptoms. In both cases, you end up not getting the personalized information and guidance you need.

Here are 4 things WE need to change in our approach to healthcare.

Change #1: Stop Ignoring “Minor” Symptoms

In the fast-paced scheme of things today, we often end up having to fit a doctor’s appointment somewhere between getting ready on time, making it to work, dropping the kids off, and seemingly numerous other daily chores.

This means that we “edit out” symptoms we consider minor, often things like unexplained weight loss, swollen legs, and shortness of breath.

Make it a point to tell your doctor any potential red flags you experience.

Change #2: Go To The Doctor!

Another result of our fast-paced, tight schedules.

We sometimes postpone visits to the doctor, preferring the quick fix of OTC (Over The Counter) medication. This is okay with (say) a running nose or soreness after a heavy workout. However, make sure you see your GP every time you experience a symptom that isn’t easily explained.

Change #3: Improve Your Listening

Some of us get points 1 and 2 right, but fail at this one.

It’s crucial that you visit the doctor regularly, get all symptoms checked out, and ask the right questions. But it’s equally important that you soak up your doctor’s replies and advice. Take a notepad if you have to, or bring a friend who will help you comprehend and retain your doctor’s advice.

Change #4: Don’t Ignore Mental Health

It’s a good thing that most of us are now aware of depression, anxiety and other common mental disorders.

Not so good that we don’t discuss these with trained medical professionals, though. Mental health is still sort of a taboo in most parts, and that needs to change ASAP.

That’s 4 things we all need to change in our approach to healthcare. Do not put discomfort and shyness ahead of proper healthcare the next time you see your doctor. Your body will thank you!

We want to listen to your thoughts on the state of healthcare. Let us know in the Facebook comments section. As always, feel free to like and share!

References:

https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2014-03-04-10-medical-symptoms-not-to-ignore.aspx

https://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/questions-during-appointment.html

Why (And How) We Need To Change Our Approach To Healthcare

Here are 4 things WE need to change in our approach to healthcare.

Change #1: Stop Ignoring “Minor” Symptoms

This means that we “edit out” symptoms we consider minor, often things like unexplained weight loss, swollen legs, and shortness of breath.

Make it a point to tell your doctor any potential red flags you experience.

Change #2: Go To The Doctor!

Another result of our fast-paced, tight schedules.

Change #3: Improve Your Listening

Some of us get points 1 and 2 right, but fail at this one.

Change #4: Don’t Ignore Mental Health

It’s a good thing that most of us are now aware of depression, anxiety and other common mental disorders.

Not so good that we don’t discuss these with trained medical professionals, though. Mental health is still sort of a taboo in most parts, and that needs to change ASAP.

That’s 4 things we all need to change in our approach to healthcare. Do not put discomfort and shyness ahead of proper healthcare the next time you see your doctor. Your body will thank you!

We want to listen to your thoughts on the state of healthcare. Let us know in the Facebook comments section. As always, feel free to like and share!

References:

https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2014-03-04-10-medical-symptoms-not-to-ignore.aspx

https://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/ask-your-doctor/questions-during-appointment.html

IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS

A bright smile is something we all desire but not many of us want to spend that little time on taking care of our teeth. In fact, the number of people who brush their teeth twice every day are itself very low.

Not just good dental hygiene but even regular visits to the dentist are very important. You might be wondering why you should go to a dentist when everything is alright but here are a few good reasons you should consider a dental check-up.

Cavities

Sometimes, we are not aware that we have cavities in our teeth! A regular dental check-up once every six months will help you make sure whether you are clear of this. When plaque or cavities build up in your teeth, it is difficult to treat them and the procedure gets more complex. A regular dental check-up can help you identify these problems early on and treat them with ease.

2.Gum Diseases

When plaque and cavity build up, they don’t just affect your teeth but they also affect your gums. Depending on the extent to which your gums are affected, the treatment gets more expensive and complex. Do you know a great way to avoid gum diseases? Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can ensure you have healthy gums and teeth!

3.Protecting your Overall Health

Did you know that dental check-ups can not just point to what is wrong with your teeth but can also point to things that are otherwise wrong with your body? Research has proven that by taking good care of your dental health, you can even cut the risk of heart diseases!

4.Oral Cancer Check

Regular dental check-ups immediately point out to anything that is worrying or alarming. Oral cancer is one such that is best detected at the earliest possible stages. Visiting your dentist once every six months at least, helps you identify if you are at a risk for oral cancer or any other disease and take action immediately.

References

https://www.123dentist.com/six-reasons-need-regular-dental-checkups/

Managing PCOS

PCOS has become very common among the urban woman today – it is in many ways the curse of the lifestyle we have become accustomed to. The good news is that a lot of women have started asking the right questions.

Why do I have to learn to live with PCOS? How do I overcome it? What are the lifestyle changes that I need to make?

These questions are very important because PCOS affects both the body and mind of a woman. There is a good chance that the person can face side-effects like anxiety, depression, and stress.

Irrespective of what people have to say about PCOS, it can be managed and here are a few ways in which you can do it.

1.Eliminate/Reduce Processed Foods

Whether it is pasta or a bottle of sauce or anything else you might eat out of a package – try to stay away! These processed foods apart from being unhealthy for you contain a whole lot of sugar and salt that will only pose a hurdle!

2.Include Supplements

In an ideal world, you would not need any supplements to keep you healthy. However, you do not get the nutrients you need from the food you eat and hence it is important to consult with a physician and see if you would have to include any supplements as part of your diet.

3.Pick an exercise routine

To manage PCOs, including exercise in your routine is non-negotiable. Ensure that you get at least 60 minutes of activity on a daily basis to keep yourself fit. This will help regulate your mood and can reduce the risk of any ill effects that PCOS may cause.

4.Consult a Doctor

While lifestyle changes are a huge part of fighting PCOs, don’t look down on the importance of consulting with a physician who can give you a solid plan to manage this disorder.

While PCOS is becoming quite common and widespread, it is no reason to take it lightly. Ensure you make the necessary changes to stay fit and healthy!

References

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24939/how-i-reversed-my-pcos-symptoms-with-holistic-practices-in-4-months.html

Importance of Vaccinations

National immunization month is observed in August every year to bring to light the importance of vaccines in both children and adults. Through the years, governments and communities have time and again emphasized the importance of vaccinations. Awareness camps, free vaccines and medical checkups and many other initiatives are run through the year to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. Why are vaccinations so important? Is it a must that we vaccinate ourselves and our children?

Today, there is a lot of new-age advice floating around about how vaccinations need not be an integral part of a child’s medical plan. However, we know that prevention is better than cure and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Here are top 4 reasons why vaccinations are an absolute must.

1.It can save your child’s/your life

This has to be the no-brainer and the most important reason to get regularly vaccinated. These are preventions for deadly diseases that were once prevalent and killed thousands of people! By taking vaccinations, you save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

2. Save time and money

Healthcare costs have risen a great deal and if someone falls sick, it takes a lot of time, money and effort on both their part and on the family’s part to recover. Vaccinations are a great way to prevent this! Why miss a vaccination and risk falling sick?

3.Unpredictable nature of health

The diseases that can be prevented by vaccinations are not always eliminated from your environment completely – this means that anyone without the vaccine can catch them! Given the unpredictability of these things, vaccinations are a sure shot way of knowing you are safe from one such disease.

4.You protect the ones you love

By vaccinating yourself, you not only protect yourself but also the ones you love! If you catch a disease, there are high chances that your loved ones can fall sick as well. Some of these diseases can be very deadly in older adults and in infants. By taking a vaccine, you are ensuring not just you but your family is protected.

References

https://www.vaccines.gov/more_info/features/five-important-reasons-to-vaccinate-your-child.html

5 THINGS THAT HEADACHES MIGHT INDICATE

“I have a headache!”
This is something that we all either say or hear on a daily basis. Most of us assume that a headache is just something that is happening because of the current situation we are in and that it will get better by the end of the day. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, a headache might just be your body’s way of hinting at a bigger problem. It could be a cry for help or your body telling you to take better care of yourself.

Here are 5 things that headaches might mean that you could possibly be ignoring. Make sure you fix these things before brushing off your headaches as just another normal part of your day!

1.Hormonal Headaches

For women especially, hormonal imbalance can be a major reason for getting headaches. During pregnancy, menopause or their periods women tend to find that they have headaches. However, if you are facing these on a daily basis it might be a good idea to get your blood work done to rule out any hormonal imbalance.

2.Stress

If you are over-working or constantly under emotional stress, a headache is often your body asking you to slow down. Pause and reflect on the things you can change about your day to ensure that you are not ignoring the symptoms.

3.Lack of Nutrition

How does your diet look like? If you find yourself a victim of constant headaches, it just might have a lot to do with your diet. Undereating, over-eating or even taking in too much junk can cause headaches. Ensure you have a clean and healthy diet to help your body recover from the regular headaches.

4.Dehydration
Water is not called the elixir of life without a reason – not drinking enough water can cause a whole host of problems for you which also includes unexplained headaches. Ensure that you are drinking enough water on a daily basis to rule out this cause.

5.Too much Caffeine intake
Remember that coffee you are drinking one cup after another to bid goodbye to the headaches? It just might be the reason you are getting more headaches! Your body has a tendency to get used to the caffeine you are drinking and a lack of it immediately sends it into a panic mode thereby causing more headaches and pain.

References

http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraines- headaches-basics#3

DEALING WITH CONSTIPATION

It is surprising how common constipation is and yet how many people are embarrassed to talk about it. In fact, many people feel shy to talk about constipation even to their doctors. Apart from being a physically difficult condition, constipation also has its share of mental trauma because the person going through it feels defeated, ridiculed and very shy to even talk about his situation.

Remember that the first thing you should know is that like any medical condition, constipation can also be solved by first gaining awareness and then doing small things in our capacity to make it go away.

Here are a few quick tips that can help ease the situation.

1. Olive Oil

Adding olive oil to your diet can help you get relief from constipation. Olive oil is known to getting your digestive system to work again by giving it the push it needs!

2.Getting Exercise

There is nothing like physical exercise to give your digestive system the impetus to work. Do some physical activity to kick-start your body again and have healthy bowel movements.

3.Coffee

A cup of coffee in the morning can get you up and running but ensure that you do not overdo this because it can actually have the opposite effect!

4.Drinking Enough Water

Being dehydrated can also be one of the major causes of constipation. Ensure that you are drinking enough water as it is a very vital element for your digestive system to work.

5.Yoghurt

Some good bacteria can do a world of difference to your body. A cup of yogurt a day can be a magic healer for your digestive system and keep it functioning well.

6.Establishing a routine

Establishing a routine, for example, going to sleep and waking up the same time and doing things in a timely manner can help your body clock understand what is happening. This will push your body to do its own functions as well in a timely manner.

References

http://everydayroots.com/constipation-remedies

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/constipation-age-12-and-older-home-treatment

WHY MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS ARE IMPORTANT?

Medical examinations must become a regular part of your life – it is not only when there is a problem that we need to do a medical exam but also when everything is okay just to be sure that there is not something we are missing.

Often, many diseases are peculiar in the sense that the symptoms take a long time to show up. However, a test or a scan can easily reveal what is wrong with you even at the very initial stage and this is why it is very critical to do regular medical examinations.

Here are a few more reasons as to why medical examinations are crucial.

1. Lesser Health Care Costs

In the long run, regular medical check-up saves you a lot of money by telling you what is wrong at a very early stage and letting you plan ahead for medical expenses. Many times, it is only when people ignore their health for a very long time that surprise medical expenditures come to light!

2.Prevention is Ideal

Why even wait for something to happen before you can treat it when you can use preventive methods? Prevention is even better than cure because you are only spending less time and effort and mitigating the risks that could come from a potential disease.

3.Lifestyle diseases

Medical examinations help you understand if you are suffering from any lifestyle diseases. These diseases need to be caught early on and by diagnosing them, you are giving yourself a chance to fix it.

4.Awareness

It is very important to be in touch with your body and understand what is happening regularly. It is only through regular check-ups that you are in sync with your body and understanding exactly what are the areas your body needs help and where it is doing well.

5.Planning your medical

Whether is an unexpected healthcare cost or just not knowing which insurance policy to opt for or even planning your life in such a way to make way for a medical issue, regular check-ups give you the necessary information to do so. Without these examinations, you are in the dark about what is happening with your own life.

6.Blood Test

Blood tests usually point to anything that is wrong with your body whether it is the hormones, cholesterol or any other disease that can be passed on through the bloodstream. In the world of evidence-based medicine, this information is critical to have on a regular basis to catch anything that might be wrong at a very early stage.

https://www.healthcheckup.com/general/regular-medical-check-up-benefits/

5 Ways to Deal with Fatigue

Are you someone who feels tired when you wake up? Do you constantly feel groggy after getting out of bed? If someone asks you how you were feeling, would “tired” be the word you use?

If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, there is a good chance that fatigue is troubling you! It is important that you stop for fuel when you are on a long drive and fatigue is a sign that your body needs to do just that.

Here are a few ways in which you can replenish your energy and get right back on track.

1.Get Yourself Checked

The first step before deciding how to combat fatigue is to ensure that you are not tired because of a medical problem – this includes taking a test, visiting your doctor and ensuring you rule out any medical reason.

2.Exercise

While it seems counterproductive that exercising when you are already feeling so tired can help you feel better, it is the ultimate truth! Get out and move your body and ensure that you get some or any sort of exercise. It could be yoga or strength training or even just a walk – the adrenalin rush will help your body stay fit and give you some much-needed energy.

3.Monitor Your Sleep

Two aspects of sleep are important – are you getting enough and are you getting quality sleep? Take stock of these two and try to fix your sleep cycle. This involves getting up and going to bed at the same time every day and ensuring you sleep really well. Leaving your gadgets behind is also a good idea before you go to sleep!

4.Lose Weight

Being obese can be a reason for fatigue – if you are obese or even slightly overweight, make sure you work towards losing weight so that you get fit but also feel better!

5.Fix your diet

If you are feeling super tired and drained – one of the most important things you should be doing is fixing your diet! Are you getting enough nutrients? Ensure you take a second look at your diet and add anything that might help you feel healthier.

References

http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/get-energy-back#1

How to treat Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Kids and young adults these days seem to be afflicted with conditions that used to be only present in adults. Heart problems, high cholesterol levels, diabetes and many other such diseases are increasingly found among this age group. Obesity is another such problem gathering attention among parents. In definition, obesity is a medical condition where an individual puts on excessive weight due to unrestrained accumulation of body fat causing negative effects on the body.

Modern day habits and lifestyle are reducing physical activities and increasing consumption of unhealthy food which is the major cause of obesity among young adults. It’s the duty of parents to intervene and take some steps to combat obesity among their children.

1. Make favorite dishes healthier
Break the myth that healthy can’t be tasty. You can make almost any dish healthier by just making a few changes. Switch from maida to atta, white bread to brown bread, corn flakes to wheat flakes, sugar to natural sweeteners, to name a few.

2. Promote an active life
It’s better to practice what you preach when it comes to kids, especially adolescents. Lace up your sneakers and go for a run with your kids. You can also introduce variation in physical activities by indulging in dance, swimming, sports, or even traditional activities like jumping rope. It’s essential that kids and teens workout at least an hour on most days, if not every day.

3. Reduce sedentary time
In addition to physical activity, it is also important to keep your kids away from laziness, other than their study and rest time. You should limit time slots for television viewing, video games, internet surfing, and other leisure activities.

4. Take medical help
It is also essential to be fully aware of your child’s health situation, and for that you must seek medical help. Consult a doctor and check if your child needs some medical support to help combat obesity.

5. Be patient
It’s not a race, don’t try to force your children. Incorporate changes slowly and organically. Create new family routines and increase the intensity by the week. Help them in this journey and be patient with them. There will be results, maybe not instantly, but soon enough.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-teenage-mind/201007/adolescent-obesity

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