GOOD to KNOW
Nuggets of health, safety and well being wisdom
Hello, friends!
We are singing in the rain this week, and finally breaking the long dusty spell of drought! We sure needed it, and this is good timing for the summer crops to come. Water is a must for our bodies to survive too. To feel and work at our top levels, we have to drink a gallon of water every day. We were built for motion, and our bodies also require it for us to be healthy. That is why we exercise too; to help us remain healthy for our lifetimes. Lots of people think that waiting for a disease to develop in order to treat it as medical providers is a backward approach to good health.
Shouldn't we look for little signs in our bodies that something has changed and needs our attention? Shouldn't we set up a plan for maintaining our good health once a year? The answer to both questions is yes! We only get the one machine (our body), with few replacement parts available. We have to maintain it like any other machine in our lives.
Your annual check up is all about letting your provider know what is going on with your body, and making a plan for caring for you. We need your help to be sure we are addressing any changes you have been experiencing.
We are given little "hints" from our bodies when we need to pay attention. For example, a dry mouth gives us the message that we may be dehydrated and likely need to drink more water. Swelling in our feet may be a sign of vessel disease or fluid overload from our hearts. Shortness of breath can signal heart, lung, GI, musculoskeletal or anxiety issues. Heart palpitations may mean an irregular heartbeat or a sign of valvular heart disease. The examples go on and on! We providers do our best work when we can partner with patients to serve their needs.
You don't have to know what those symptoms mean. You just need to see your provider and report your symptoms to them. Googling your symptoms will not lead to good health,either of mind or body! If a symptom happens multiple times, it could be a trend in your health. Your medical provider will help you determine the causes and treatment. And as always, if there is a question about whether you require an emergency department for your care (chest pain, severe shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, etc) , you probably just need to call ahead and go get checked out in the ER. Staying tuned in to your body is one way to stay healthy, and sharing any changes with your provider will go far toward keeping your good health intact.
