People with high health literacy can locate, interpret, and comprehend health information, as well as use it to make healthcare decisions. According to research, by the time a patient leaves a consultation, they would have forgotten 50% of what was said during the visit, making it impossible to follow the doctor’s recommendations properly.
These concerns can become much more complicated if the person doesn’t understand some or all of what was addressed during the consultation. And that lack of understanding and memory might result in negative health outcomes. That is why it is critical to hone skills through medical trivia questions that can help you increase your health literacy, communicate effectively with your doctor, and make informed healthcare decisions.
You are responsible for your health, and it is critical to keep track of each aspect to keep your body and mind in good shape. The following are the 7 most important things to consider to understand your health better.
1. Your Current Health Situation
Obtaining a true awareness of your current health situation is the first step in knowing your health better. Despite having various medical problems such as high hypertension or osteoarthritis, you may be in relatively good health.
You may appear to be in good health right now, but you could be suffering from a chronic, advancing, and ultimately fatal condition like Alzheimer’s disease or malignant colon cancer. You may be weak as a result of several interconnected chronic disorders or a single disease with far-reaching impacts on your everyday activities and health. Or you could also be suffering from a severe advanced ailment, such as terminal heart failure.
Determining which of these situations best describes your current condition and how your health is likely to change over the next few years will have an impact on the goals that are most critical to you.
2. Your Preferred Exercise
It makes no difference how you exercise; what matters is that you move. Exercise supports a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. Moving, even if it’s only for a stroll, has been shown to enhance mood, reduce the risk of heart disease, and more. So, it is important to know which exercise you prefer and the positive impact it can have on your health before deciding to go with it.
3. Your Blood Type
Knowing your blood type gives you a better understanding of your health. According to studies, particular subgroups are linked to slight increases in the risk of illnesses like heart disease. Not only that, but it’s also a good idea to keep essential health facts like your blood type in your head in case your doctor needs to know.
4. Your Mental Health
Since many psychiatric diagnoses are based on an individual’s assessment of their experience, defining mental health is more difficult than defining physical health. However, thanks to advancements in testing, doctors can now detect some physical indicators of mental disease in CT scans and genetic studies.
The absence of sadness, stress, or another disorder is not the only criterion for good mental health. It also depends on a person’s capacity to do the following:
- Live life
- Bounce back from misfortune, and adapt to hardship
- Balance diverse aspects of life, such as relationships and finances,
- Feel at ease; and
- Reach their full potential
Physical and mental health are inextricably linked. For instance, if a chronic condition makes it difficult for a person to fulfil daily duties, it can contribute to sadness and stress. These sentiments could be a result of financial difficulties or a lack of mobility.
On the other hand, mental illness anxiety or anorexia might have an impact on body weight and vital functions.
Therefore, it is critical to consider “health” as a whole rather than as a collection of disparate components. All aspects of health are interconnected, and people should strive for general well-being and balance as the foundations of good health.
5. Your Genes
An individual is born with several different genes. An uncommon genetic pattern or change in certain persons can result in less-than-optimal health. People can inherit genes from their parents that put them at higher risk for certain diseases. As such, it is important to consider genetic factors when looking to understand your health better.
6. Your Allergies
You do not have to have a severe allergy to react to the arrival of spring or the taste of new food. Allergies come in a variety of degrees of severity, ranging from moderate to severe. Moreover, allergies can emerge later in life, so it is a good idea to check in with your doctor now and again to make sure your immune system is still up to the task of dealing with your friend’s cat or outside pollen.
Keeping track of which prescriptions, foods, and other factors provoke an allergic reaction can save your life.
7. Your Environment
Environmental factors have an impact on one’s health. Often, the environment alone is enough to affect one’s health. In some cases, an environmental trigger might cause illness in someone who has a hereditary predisposition to a disease.
Studies show that people with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to have better health and afford healthcare in case of an illness or a medical emergency. On the other hand, people with low socioeconomic status will be more prone to illnesses and life-threatening conditions.
Culture is another factor to consider as health is not an important topic in some cultures or even considered a taboo in some instances, which can directly or indirectly have an impact on your health. So, you need to be aware of your socioeconomic status and culture so you can make necessary adjustments to ensure your health and well-being.
Final Word
By considering the above factors, you can understand your health better, which will allow you to walk into your doctor’s office with more knowledge and confidence about your current health status. Increase your knowledge and put yourself in a better position to be prepared for any health emergencies.
Daniel Alexander is a blogger that has a passion for writing. He publishes content on various topics ranging from tips for event planning and interior designing to technological advancements and financial tips.