Making health make sense
One of the most interesting notions about being a doctor is that people always expect me to be in my doctor persona. It is often so absurd that they would probably expect me to wear my clinical white coat as a cover-up over my bikini at the beach or have my stethoscope around my neck as an accessory when I go out to dinner. At dinner parties, I introduce myself as Lerato and do not mention my profession in conversations. Yet, as soon as someone who knows me addresses me as “Doc”, that ends my attempts to remain incognito professionally, cover is blown so to speak.
I find this fascination intriguing because I have yet to be in a situation where my equal professionals such as attorneys, architects, engineers, and psychologists are addressed as “Engineer Samantha” or “Attorney Themba” at a random party, while lying by the poolside, or even at the local supermarket. Yet in my case, my professional title almost always precedes Lerato. Everywhere I go people feel compelled to address me as “doc this” and “doc that”.
Fortunately, over the years I learned to accept my fate and wear my yoke with pride. And, I am not complaining. If this was a text message you’d see by the emojis that it is all in jest.
However, one thing that immediately comes with “the title of Doc”, is that people almost always expect to get free medical advice, right there on the spot. I will be reaching for a dip at a party, and someone will casually tell me about a condition they suffer from as if they were sitting across me in my consulting rooms. This has taught me that with great societal influence comes even greater responsibility. I have also come to humbly embrace this aspect of my profession.
This weekly column is part of us xploring these important conversations in a more casual context. It allows us to have important conversations on matters that are health related away from my consultation rooms. Much like that quick, one-on-one chat in a corner at a dinner party.
Since you are here for free medical advice, let me get on with it. I thought taking it back to basics would be a super ice breaker.
As a health care partner for my patients, I take my responsibility to keeping them accountable very seriously. I remind them every little chance I get, unprovoked, that if one wants to achieve certain results, making excuses is not going to get them there. I never miss a chance to check in with them about the importance of checking their numbers. I mean their blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and any other age specific health checks that needs to be conducted on a regular basis. On top of that, I will touch on the two things I believe affect our health in major way – how we eat (our diet) and how we move (exercise).
Going back to basics looks like this:
Know your numbers.
This applies to yourself and your family history. Walking around with your head in the sand, ignoring the fact that your body wears and tears daily, and not wanting to acknowledge that you have a family history of Diabetes and Hypertension is not going to miraculously make the probability of it happening disappear. Don’t be the person who finds they have a preventable and treatable condition like Hypertension when you’re lying at the hospital after a stroke.
- Eat as well as you can, most of the time.
Yes, I know, food is expensive, with healthier options even more costly. But in many instances, there is room for choice and it is up to an individual to choose the option that doesn’t put inflammatory foods – think all things that contain sugar or end up as sugar after digestion (refined carbohydrates) – into their body. Inflammatory foods contribute to chronic illnesses and even cancers.
- Move. And move daily.
Your heart beats every day. All it is asking for is that you give it about 30 minutes of intentional movement (exercise) daily. Out of 24 hours, what is 30 minutes for one of the most important organs in your body? Please note I did not say join the gym. I said move. Movement is as basic as a brisk walk.
- Mind your mind.
Make time to play, relax, and create. Reduce unnecessary stress as much as possible. Practice good sleep habits so the brain can rest and reset properly, daily. Mind harmful social habits such as the use of alcohol, illicit drugs and smoking.
Through our journey of xploring, I will delve deeper into these basic principles pertaining to general health. Until then, I urge you to start doing some introspection, re-evaluate the health goals you set for yourself, make adjustments and improvements accordingly.
Till next week, have a Lovelee end to the week and an awesome weekend.
