The healthcare system in America is a difficult one to understand. It operates for the best of patients–for their health, for their ailments, for their illnesses, for their pains–and yet the patients of that healthcare system continue to get sicker. It is difficult to understand because of the well-meaning ideas that healthcare providers have.
For instance, there is a view that naturalistic or holistic medicine fails to treat the severe symptoms of illness, while studies come out every year verifying the need for patients to have a better holistic treatment plan. This treatment plans generally includes diet, exercise, and other practices.
There is the case of John Brown, the American man nearing his 50s who has type II diabetes. His doctor, Dr. Ravi, prescribes him an insulin shot that should be taken after every mean. What John Brown doesn’t know is that altering his diet and exercise routines could have immeasurable benefit for the prognosis of his type II diabetes.
Some illnesses in America are caused or exacerbated by environmental factors. Type II diabetes, for example, is sometimes considered a lifestyle disease and one that can be alleviated through common dietary adjustments, such as living and eating a low carbohydrate diet, minimizing sugary food, and exercising regularly.
There are other illnesses similar to the treatment of illnesses like Type II diabetes. There are illnesses that can be influenced with diet, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and perhaps even heart disease. All of those are linked to fatty foods such as red meat or processed food like candy bars.
For those who are suffering, eating a nutritious diet, complete with complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and “good” fat sources are an important part of putting the illness into remission. A nutritious diet will include fruits, vegetables (especially leafy greens), lean protein sources (such as fish), and unsaturated fats (as in almonds).
Having a nutritionally rich diet is important for general physical health, and some are starting to believe as part of a mental health strategy as well. It makes sense as nutrients control the functions of the body or at the very least influence them. Proper nutrition can possibly reduce the symptoms of an illness.
Exercise can do so as well. Regular exercise is known to speed up metabolism, which helps with weight loss, and obesity being a major problem for many illnesses in society today. Exercise, some say, helps to reduce symptoms associated with blood sugar spikes. Exercise speeds up the heart rate, which allows for a better functioning cardiovascular system.
Although much of this discussion has focused on physical health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, mental health can also be influenced by diet and most importantly exercise. Diet allows for the types of nutrients received in the brain, which can alter brain chemistry.
Having a diet similar to the one stated above, that is rich in complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and unsaturated fat, can lead to more nutrients making it through the blood walls of the brain and into the central nervous system. Making sure to stay away from sugary foods and processed foods can equally help.
Exercise is also a big predictor of mental health. Regular exercise can help boost endorphins, which lead to an elevated mood. Exercise is also a mood regulator, making it useful in slowing down the symptoms of mood disorders. It helps for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and many others.
There are some injuries that reduce a person’s ability to exercise however. They are musculoskeltal injuries, or injuries that fall under an orthopedics doctor’s realm of expertise. Some of the statistics surrounding them are:
- Knee pain is the second most common kind of chronic pain
- 37% of people with lower back pain never seek help
- Over 50 million Americans have arthritis
It is a person decision on when to seek help. When you do, there are likely orthopedic surgeons that are willing to take on your case and help. Orthopedic surgeons have different specialties. Some orthopedic surgeons are spine surgeons, while some focus on different areas of the body.
Orthopedic surgeons are some that are able to offer pain management techniques. While initial periods after surgery are generally involved with pain medication (unless you say otherwise) there are other pain management techniques that can help after you leave the hospital.
