Fact or Myth: I don't need to see a physician unless I am sick

Medical Examination

                The kindly but professional doctor who makes house calls, who is a friend of the family, who gives you your regular check-up, stethoscope in hand – is virtually a thing of the past. But does this mean you should forgo the routine medical examination? According to one article in an online medical journal, the annual physical is essentially obsolete, and you should simply wait for symptoms before checking into a doctor’s office. This approach would seem to promote the idea that a doctor should specialize in sickness. While it is true that a person who is sick should see a physician, it is an empirical fact that the ideal state for a person would include being healthy and well to begin with. The holistic approach to wellness does not rule out traditional medicine – it augments it. If one can, through natural (and rather inexpensive) means, prevent oneself from getting sick, then we all win another victory. One of the ways to circumvent disease is through examination and testing. One doctor from Stanford University has been working hard to revive the lost art of the physical exam, teaching students to use their eyes and fingers to recognize signs of illness or injury. The skin, eyes, ears, throat, reflexes – even the gait (way of walking) of the patient can be a sign of specific ailments.

               

Such conditions as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, colon cancer, skin cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer are detectable through these basic medical tests:

§  Blood pressure

§  Blood test

§  Stress test (for heart disease)

§  Glucose (blood sugar) tests

§  Cholesterol testing

§  Colonoscopy

§  Skin cancer exam

§  Pap spear

§  Mammogram

Other Forms of Testing

When it comes to the basic medical tests, early detection can save lives. There are also a number of tests designed to test for allergies. Mysterious symptoms, including such things as agitation, anxiety, and depression can often be traced back to an underlying physical condition or specific types of allergies. Another series of tests fall under the category of physical fitness. There are literally hundreds of fitness tests to measure such things as body mass index and body fat percentage. X-Rays, MRI, and CAT scan are used to detect fractures, broken bones, and injuries or abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord. Another branch of testing used by some chiropractors goes by the name of applied kinesiology, also known as muscle testing. Kinesiology refers to a study of the mechanics of body movements. While dismissed by some as unscientific, muscle testing is relatively simple and some people swear by it.

Prevention

When it comes to prevention of disease, one undisputable fact is the value of proper nutrition and routine exercise. Many diseases, like heart conditions and type 2 diabetes, are linked directly to poor eating habits. Millions of Americans disregard the rules of good diet and consume more than their fair share of fast food, fried food, soda, sugar, starch, and products loaded with chemicals and preservatives. Sensible diet includes cutting way down – or eliminating entirely – that list. Recommended is switching to organic meat, fish and poultry, as well as fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Organic or natural foods may appear to cost more, but if you eliminate the junk food, you’ll save money. You’ll also reduce the risks of heavy medical bills in the future.

Regular exercise and sports are amongst the best and most enjoyable methods of disease prevention. Sitting all the time, glued to a television or computer screen, can lead to obesity and other complications of the blood and heart. Regular exercise is a vital component of your good health regimen. And it’s not just physical health – your confidence and overall state of mind gets a significant boost.

The Combination

Holistic implies treating the body, mind and spirit. By maintaining a routine of excellent diet and rigorous exercise, you take a significant stride towards overall health. Combine this with annual (at the very least) medical testing, and you improve the odds in your favor. You perform diagnostics on your car or your computer – so too should a human body receive basic diagnostic testing. No one can guarantee another person won’t get sick, but prevention is your primary offensive.