People of all ages take their health for granted. It seems to be human nature to ignore nagging symptoms in the hopes that they will go away. After all, tests are expensive and many of us would rather not have our fears confirmed. This attitude may have worked for you when you were younger, but life gets a little more complicated when you enter your senior years.
Seniors know better, but they still express a lot of opinions about not getting caught up in the health care merry-go-round. It could be because they feel that it is time to let go and let nature take its course, or it could be that they are afraid to find out. Maybe they have felt lousy for so long that they think it is a normal part of aging.
You don’t have to feel lousy all of the time. Feeling lousy is not normal at any age. Ignoring symptoms is risky business. An everyday complaint such as a headache, fatigue, dizziness, or even a chronic cough can be sign that all is not well.
Yet people ignore symptoms all of the time. The trouble with waiting is that little symptoms can turn into big symptoms. Big symptoms may turn into serious health problems. Detecting high blood pressure or high cholesterol readings can prevent a host of really scary complications. We are talking about big complications like heart disease, cancer, damage from undetected diabetes, osteoporosis, lung disease or arthritis. Chronic conditions can not be cured but they can be managed, and you can still live a normal life. Wouldn’t it be better to know if you have something going on? Take every ache and pain seriously. Aches and pains should not be accepted as a normal part of aging. If you notice anything abnormal and it doesn’t resolve within two weeks you should see your doctor.
Older people are particularly susceptible to chronic health problems. Nevertheless, an early diagnosis can make a world of difference in how you feel and in how well you function. Suffering in silence is not a virtue. You are not a hypochondriac if you check in with your doctor if you are not feeling well. Your health care team can help you, and you can feel better.
See your doctor, your eye doctor, and your dentist annually. The advances in eye, mouth, and health care have been phenomenal. You will be pleasantly surprised at what they can do to keep you healthy and help you fulfill your dreams of living independently.
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