How do you define being healthy?
What does it mean to you to be healthy? When so many are concerned with “being healthy,” perhaps it would be beneficial to take a look at what that actually is. Is it merely being free from any disease or ailments? Is it freedom from any physical suffering? Does it mean not having to take any vitamins, supplements or medications…ever? Does it mean you never have to go see a doctor? If we are not sure what the goal is, how will we ever get there?
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
“Physical, mental and social well-being.” Physical well-being involves taking care of the body you have to live your life in: nutrition, fitness, medical care. Mental well-being involves a balance of self responsibility and self love, appropriate coping mechanisms to assist you in dealing with stress, freedom from worry, learning you can be happy no matter what circumstance you are in. And finally, social well-being involves having meaningful relationships with healthy communication. When it comes down to it, life is about relationship with yourself and others.
Physical, mental and social well-being are intertwined together. So what do you think, are you healthy? I’ve noticed that if you work on mental well-being first, the rest tends to fall into place.
Next post: how preventive medicine addresses physical, mental and social well-being.
Swine Flu in Birmingham, AL
I’m working at the health department this month and swine flu is certainly continuing to circulate in Jefferson County. See your doctor if you have fever > 100 with cough and/or sore throat. The only treatment are anti-virals (like Tamiflu) which do not cure swine flu but may lessen the severity of the illness or shorten the course of illness by 1-2 days. Some physicians are now even calling in these medicines for children with fever, cough and/or sore throat to avoid them having to wait in the waiting room at their office. Fortunately, thus far, most cases of swine flu have been fairly mild.
When you are swabbed for influenza at your doctor’s office, most can do a rapid test in their office to tell you if you have influenza but it must be sent to the state lab to determine if it is H1N1. Since 8/1/09, of specimens testing positive for influenza in AL, 99% have been confirmed novel H1N1. As of 8/27/09, Alabama has had 1,587 confirmed cases of novel H1N1 influenza (or swine flu).
There is no vaccine available for H1N1 yet. It is encouraged for all to get the seasonal flu vaccine when available. The H1N1 vaccine (separate from the seasonal flu vaccine) is scheduled to be available by mid-October but this will be given to high-risk patients first.
So what can you do? The most important preventive measure is personal hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water!! Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. (If you don’t have a tissue to cover your mouth, cough into the crook of your elbow.) Stay home from school or work if you are sick. Get the seasonal flu vaccine when available. Remember, vaccines work best when everyone gets them.
The 10 leading causes of death and what you can do to help prevent them.
Here’s a list of the 10 leading causes of death as determined by the CDC for the year 2006:
1.Heart Disease
2.Cancer
3.Strokes
4.Chronic lung disease (like COPD)
5.Accidents (unintentional injuries)
6.Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
7.Alzheimer’s disease
8.Influenza and pneumonia
9.Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis (kidney disease)
10.Septicemia (infection in the blood)
Now here’s a list of the top 10 things you can do to maintain your health. If you do the things on this list, you’ll be reducing your risk of all of the diseases on the list above. Do your part to take care of yourself! Don’t wait until you are sick to make changes in your lifestyle. Prevention is key!
1. Do not smoke. If you smoke, quitting is the single best thing you could do to improve your health. (Click here for more info.)
2. Limit your Alcohol intake to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
3. Maintain a healthy diet and lose weight if you are overweight.
4. Exercise 30-60 min 5 days a week.
5. Don’t sunbathe or use tanning booths.
6. Practice safe sex.
7. Control your cholesterol and blood pressure with diet, exercise and medication if needed.
8. Keep your shots up to date, including flu and pneumonia (if over age 65).
9. Have yearly health screenings with your primary care doctor even if you don’t feel sick. (You may need to be seen several times a year if you have chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease).
10. Get help if you are suffering from psychological problems like depression, anxiety, or excess stress instead of turning to addictive habits like smoking, alcohol, drugs, overeating or other self destructive behaviors.
