For centuries, doctors and public health officials have pointed to Ben Franklin’s famous mantra, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Can you really save money by preventing disease?
When the doctor-patient relationship works, patients experience better health outcomes. Research shows when patients are happier and reassured, they understand their health challenges and available treatments, and are more likely to adhere to doctors’ orders.
We think we know a lot about weight management and our metabolism. But there’s a surprising number of misconceptions about both — and that can make it harder for us to stay healthy as we age. Here are five misunderstood facts about your metabolism.
Here are five misunderstood facts about your metabolism.
You probably hear a lot about your metabolism. From late night TV commercials to internet ads, the world is awash in solutions to speed up your metabolism. But what exactly is our metabolism and what role does it play in our health?
Metabolism is the chemical process where nutrients are converted into energy or calories. It’s one of the most essential processes in our body.
Irritable bowel syndrome, often known as IBS, is a complex condition that affects the large intestine, causing abdominal pain and digestive issues. It’s believed that the root of IBS is disturbances in gut-brain interactions. Between 10 and 15 percent of Americans live with IBS. It’s difficult to get a specific percentage, as IBS screenings don’t exist. Doctors generally rely on a patient’s symptoms and tests to rule out other diseases to diagnose a case of IBS.
Even if you love your job, work can take a toll on your mental health. Commuter traffic, deadlines and technical glitches — even irksome colleagues — are a part of most people’s daily lives and can cause stress, anxiety and depression.
And mental health issues can also impact work performance. For example, unresolved depression has been linked to a 35 percent reduction in productivity and contributes higher rates of absenteeism – adding to work-related stress.
If you struggle with back pain, you know firsthand how it can diminish your quality of life. If you work, for example, there’s a pretty good chance it’s interfering with your job. Low back pain has been the leading cause of disability since 1990, according to the International Association for the Study of Pain.
Many people with back pain are often diagnosed with one or more spinal conditions such as:
Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that can damage the heart and blood vessels of many of its survivors. And while some damage may heal on its own, people who’ve had Covid are at increased risk for heart damage, according to a large-scale study published in Nature Medicine.
Are you a man (or know of one) who assumes that carrying a “spare tire” around the belly is inevitable? This body type is affectionately referred to as a “dad bod,” but there’s nothing endearing about it when it comes to your health. And, in fact, it can signify a number of serious medical conditions or even lead to premature death.
Over half of all men in the MDVIP Men’s Health Survey said it’s okay to have a dad bod. In this case, the majority doesn’t rule. While a dad bod may appear harmless and be socially accepted by most men, it’s a red flag, and here’s why.
