Ads say "ask your doctor," and continually tell you to consult your doctor about anything that doesn't feel right. C'mon guys, you know doctors are busier than ever, filling out reports in order get money from the various health care bosses. You need to keep track of all the stuff on the list that follows:
Your Elimination -- urination and bowel habits -- be aware of quantity, color, quality, frequency, discomfort -- all the aspects of your body's output -- the sphincter and peristaltic feelings. Are you having to work hard to empty bladder or bowel? Are you losing control?
Your Symptoms -- anything that's weird, odd, different that you're feeling, you need to know when it occurs, how often, and does it keep you from functioning normally. Include moodiness -- depressive, or suicidal thoughts, and your worries -- the events, the things you do that get you flushed, or get your heart-racing. Are you ever dizzy, ever feel faint? Do you get enough sleep? Are you often exhausted? Also, keep track of sneezing, itching, rashes; also twinges, or dull aches when you bite or chew. Do you sweat a lot, or never sweat? What about your eyes, your ears -- are you seeing and hearing normally?
Your Exercise -- do you know what exercises you ought to do every day, or every other day, or once a week? You need to be in charge, and realistic. Be aware of your arms, legs, shoulders, back -- do you wake with a backache, or aches in neck, elbows, hips, knees, or wrists? Whatever, where ever -- pay attention! And include feet, toes, hands, fingers, and thumbs, in your exercise.
Your Weight and Height -- are you gaining, losing? If you're shorter than you were a couple of years ago, you are shrinking as you age, so pay attention to sitting and standing taller.
Your Diet. Get educated: learn about the calories, carbohydrates in the foods you eat or over-eat, as well as essential nutrients, vitamins, C, D, B, calcium, and minerals.
B-bp, E-limination, S-ymptoms E-xercise W-eight/height, D-iet. B E S E W D -- that's Dr Em's advice. Golly, a body -- your body is a priceless gift that you own. It's fascinating to be aware of it, to maintain awareness. If it's difficult for you -- aha -- that means you've been ignoring you.
Get a tiny special note book. (I'm big on notebooks -- I've got too many things I have to be sure I do every single day.) Carry your notebook with you, and put down any thought that occurs to you, and investigate it further -- by yourself, and then, if it's worrisome -- consult a trusted, highly recommended MD.
Guys, it's YOUR job.
YOU are the boss.
BE THE BOSS OF YOUR OWN LIFE AND DEATH.
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3 comments:
Very wise words, at the clinic I work at a Health Care Provider has 15 minutes diagnose your problem,so going in the patient needs to be ready. Even though most providers are required to now use computers, it doesn't predict what you have. Generally it is great to bring them up to speed, but that is all. So you are so right.
Good advice!
Great piece of information Em. My wife's a nurse, semi-retired, and she keeps my nose to the grindstone. Thanks so much.
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