Good Health Choices Pay Dividends
29 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
On some level, we all know what is the best thing for us. We may not be aware of this on a conscious level, but it is possible to access this. I see many people in my practice who need to exercise more, meditate, eat better, reduce stress, play more, etc. Some start out great and then become discouraged. In some cases, they have neglected themselves for so long, that there is now a “debt” to be paid off before they will become aware of the changes. Even though the changes are occurring, their expectations are not met and they may decide to give up on their future.
Whenever you decide to add a health practice to your life, whether it is adding exercise, cutting out unhealthy foods, meditating or reducing stress, it is helpful to also identify WHY you are doing it. The more specific you can be, the better. If you are exercising to lose weight, then you can evaluate how much exercise you will need, what type and at what frequency to meet that goal. You may also need to make other changes, such as dietary.
If you are exercising primarily to improve your flexibility, then a different set of exercises will be needed. You will judge your program’s success based on different parameters.
If you would like to start meditating to improve your life, know that it will be a gradual process and you will not attain “enlightenment” or anything close to that overnight. You must be prepared for that and not judge yourself.
The key to the success of any health practice is to know what you are starting off with and where you are headed. In all of our living, there is a certain level of damage that has occurred, on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. This is a natural part of being human. If you want to improve an area of your life, you must be willing to acknowledge that in addition to changing the effects of your past behavior, you are also incurring damage on a day-to-day basis in the course of living.
The important is to look at your health changes as something that you are doing to minimize present and future damage as you learn the lessons from the past. This is analogous to financial planning, where you are advised to pay off your debts (past) while minimizing current expenses and saving for the future.
I know of no greater investment than that of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Make the right choices for you, moment-to-moment and you will look back with wonder at how far you have come.
Communication is the Key to Great Medical Care
19 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
As a medical specialist in a very niche field, I require that all of my clients and patients have an established relationship with a primary care doctor or provider. What I have noticed is how difficult some people find it to find a primary care person whom they can really trust and have access to when necessary. Some of this is related to living in a small city with limited options, but it is becoming apparent that this is a growing issue nationwide.
About one in four patients feel that their physicians sometimes expose them to unnecessary risk, according to data from a Johns Hopkins study published in the journal Medicine. And recent studies revealed that whether patients trust a doctor strongly influences whether they follow their advice.
There are many books now advising patients about health secrets “that your doctor won’t tell you.” Patients are going online to research their symptoms and advising one another about available treatments.
I know that the doctor-patient relationship has changed dramatically since I went to medical school 25 years ago. In those days, it was considered a sacred relationship and as a student I watched as my mentors practiced medicine as an art. There was often laughter and great mutual respect.
The practice of medicine is totally different today. The cost of practicing medicine continues to increase while insurance company payments decline. Physicians are increasingly employees of large corporations and some have a shift-work mentality. There is little if any time to develop the types of relationships that inspire trust. News reports about medical errors and drug company influence have made savvy patients question their medical care more and not all doctors respond well to these challenges. “Doctors used to be the only source for information on medical problems and what to do, but now our knowledge is demystified,” said Dr. Robert Lamberts, an internal medicine physician in Georgia. “When patients come in with preconceived ideas about what we should do, they do get perturbed at us for not listening.”
There is frequently a disconnect between the way doctors and patients view medicine. Typically, doctors are listening to your symptoms and looking to diagnose you with a disease and prescribe a treatment, usually medication. Patients generally want to discuss their symptoms and be given encouragement and support. They do not want to feel like they are being dismissed with a pill.
It is important to have medical care that you can count on both for preventive and illness care. Patients who don’t trust their doctor should look for a new one. Make sure your doctor knows that you are interested in being as healthy as possible and do not assume that the doctor knows the best thing for you. You live in your body 24 hours a day. There is no way that a medical person who sees you for 10 or 15 minutes is going to completely understand your issues, especially if they are distracted by a computer screen and their coding requirements. Do your part by documenting your symptoms and your expectations. Write down your pressing issues. If you feel shy or awkward in medical situations, hand the list to the doctor and let them read it.
If medication is offered, ask if there are other options. Do not pretend you are going to take medication if you are opposed to it. Speak up. For better or worse, these days your health is in your hands.
