Pay attention to your body's signals and the ultimate health principles of holistic medicine.
Too many people subscribe to the health philosophy, “If it doesn’t break, don’t fix it!” But they easily ignore bodily signals that might be “broken” until these signals are no longer early warning signs but the final gasp. Many men take better care of their cars than their own bodies. Inner listening refers to paying attention to the signals your body sends from time to time. Suppose you have stomach and chest pain; if the pain occurs after a large meal and feels much better after taking a mild antacid or eating light food, it might be heartburn; if it occurs after exercise and radiates to your arm, it could be a sign of a heart attack. Abdominal pain, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, and irritability and anger are part of the biofeedback system, telling you when to look for underlying physical and emotional problems. When a symptom remains particularly severe despite treatment, the signal is: get checked. Some men avoid taking any medication under any circumstances. This instinct can be healthy, as many medications are prescribed in excess, and even the most non-toxic drugs can be abused. However, sometimes medication is crucial. Antihypertensive drugs are an example. Too many people stop taking their medication as soon as they feel better, which can lead to a relapse of old ailments. Or they take leftover medication, which can be very dangerous. People over 65 need to be especially careful, as their response to medication differs from that of younger people. As a healthcare consumer, you should know: what medication you are taking; why you are taking it; how often and for how long; how to identify possible side effects; what happens if you mix medication with alcohol or food; and what to do if you forget your dosage. Traditional medicine overemphasizes disease and death rather than prevention and health. However, a health movement called holistic medicine views a person as a complete functional system, not a collection of individual parts. It sees health not only as disease and disability, but as the whole physical and mental well-being, and an attitude towards lifestyle. In conclusion, this book respects your body and offers advice for maintaining good health: Don't smoke. Dietary self-defense: high fiber; low calories; low cholesterol, salt, and sugar; most importantly, low fat. Regular and active exercise. Sufficient sleep, rest, and recreation. Learn to relax and manage stress effectively. Improve relationships with supportive friends and family. One aspirin daily. Wear a seatbelt. Drink in moderation or abstain from alcohol altogether. Never drink and drive. Avoid drug and romantic addictions. Think positively, especially about aging. Listen to your body. Get regular checkups. Be mindful of conditions like high blood pressure. Good health doesn't have to be a painful experience of self-control. As the 18th-century French philosopher Voltaire said, "The art of medicine is to entertain the patient, while nature is the best medicine." Today, science has proven that you can become or maintain good health without relying on them. Many deaths from heart disease, cancer, accidents, strokes, and emphysema can be traced back to individual lifestyles. Therefore, any increase in average male life expectancy will depend not only on medical technology but also on you. The best way to close the gap in average life expectancy between men and women is to extend the average life expectancy of men. Perhaps average life expectancy should be redefined-not just the number of years lived, but beyond life itself. To improve your health, you must improve yourself. Good health is not a precious gift; it is the success of your personal efforts. A healthy man is not only attractive; he is the epitome of masculinity.
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