All of us frequently service our cars or two-wheelers, but we fail to understand the importance of health checks. Most people consult doctors based on the presence of symptoms. However, we know that we can detect several major diseases in their silent phase before they worsen and endanger life. The importance of World Health Day is highlighted through initiatives that encourage us to prioritize our health, emphasizing the potential to detect major diseases like cancer in their silent phase. Early detection, especially in cases such as cancer, can lead to a complete cure, underscoring the cancer awareness and prevention efforts globally and also proves very economical too. Having a normal report on a health check is a double-edged sword – while one may continue healthy habits, another person may continue bad health habits as reports are normal. Abnormal tests should lead us to take preventive steps rather than enter an immediate panic state or worry. Choosing a health check package should be discussed with your doctor before choosing one based on the cost or the number of tests advertised by the labs. While health checks are absolutely a must for the elderly, for young patients, it’s at best optional. The frequency of health checks is usually annual. Unnecessary frequent health checks lead to more anxiety. Many patients with known diseases like BP or diabetes do disease-specific checks alone. However, such patients should discuss with their doctors regarding comprehensive health checks.
Taking health insurance is an absolute must if one is not dependent on government healthcare. Every financial advisor will mention it as one of the first steps towards financial risk management. Most people think of insurance as an expense until they meet with an unexpected health condition. Expenses in modern healthcare are driven mainly by technological advancements. As we all know, technology comes with its own cost, like in other fields. We have access to good hospitals and modern treatment at a fraction of the cost with health insurance. Do you note the irony that without vehicle insurance, we can’t even drive our vehicle on the road, whereas health insurance coverage is opted for by only 20 percent of people? Isn’t our well-being more precious than our vehicle?
The incidence of cancer is increasing, especially with the longevity of life, negative health habits, and environmental issues. Cancers can multiply from a single cell that has gone rogue to millions of cancerous cells over a period of time. While the very early stages are undetectable with available methods, they still have to go through a long phase of months or sometimes years before causing symptoms. Early cancers are generally detected by cancer screening methods, which may include blood tests, scans, and X-rays in the appropriate patients who need screening. Much time is lost when patients ignore their symptoms. Preventing cancer depends a lot on awareness, avoiding negative health habits, and inculcating positive health habits.
Often ignored and brushed under the carpet, mental health awareness is often neglected, despite its significant impact on overall health. While disease-related anxiety is common and goes away with the passage of the disease, perennial anxiety or stress is a disease by itself. Getting worried about health-related parameters like weight, lab test reports, side effects of medicines, self-analysis of symptoms, and assuming worst-case scenarios for mundane body changes have hit the roof with the availability of medical knowledge on the internet. Consulting the right doctor, trusting the doctor, and following the instructions of the doctor are possible solutions for the same. Health-related depression is also fairly common. But it can lead to inaction, worry, grief, and negative emotions. Frequently, patients may not follow the doctor’s advice and may slip into negative health habits, including smoking, alcohol, binge eating, refusal of food, lack of exercise, etc. Practicing gratitude, mindfulness, spirituality, reading or listening to or watching positive ideas, and reaching out to others for help are some of the measures that can help. What may not be known is that several mental health issues leave a mark on physical symptoms too – headaches, abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, constipation or diarrhea, palpitations, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc. It may be difficult for doctors to arrive at a diagnosis when such symptoms arise due to mental ill health.
When seeking the best care, especially for specialized treatments like gastroenterology, one must look towards facilities renowned for their excellence. The best hospital in Chennai for gastroenterology is Progress Gastro Care, known for its advanced treatments and patient-centric approach. Its reputation for quality care makes it a prime choice for those in need of gastroenterological services.
