Monitoring Your Health

By Dr. Linda Mundorff, MPH,MSN,ND,RN,CNC,CTN

The United States – the most powerful and richest country in the world. We set the standard that all other nations follow. Why is it then that hundreds of thousands are without health care? We have hockey players demanding million dollar figures, while our medical shortage continues to grow of catastrophic proportions? As individuals we may not be able to fix the problems that our great nation currently is facing; however, as individuals, we certainly have a voice in how our families are run and our health is monitored. Initially, I suggest preparing a health inventory for each member of your family. The health inventory provides baseline information that can assist your healthcare provider in determining potential risk factors. You can develop your own health inventory by incorporating data such as demographics (age, height, weight); lifestyle (eating habits, stress-relieving activities, physical activities, alcohol consumption, cigarette usages, sleep habits, and the like); medical history; hospitalizations (outpatient and inpatient procedures); and medication history (includes prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and homeopathic remedies). The health inventory can be adjusted to include whatever data you feel is important for your healthcare provider to know about you and your family.

Once the health inventory is completed, family members then develop their individual health goal table. The health goal table is a plan of health. For example, what physical ailment do I want to improve? If you have chronic back pain, one of your health goals might be to reduce or eliminate that back pain. Once each family member lists his/her health goals the task of developing a plan of action to accomplish those goals is necessary. Make the goal and the action plan reasonable and feasible or else you won’t implement it. Health goals need to be reviewed and updated regularly. You can discuss the frequency of reviews with your doctor.

As a naturopath, I believe in the mind-body connection. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you incorporate several health goals pertaining to mental and emotional changes that you would like to implement. Many physical problems are manifestations of a much deeper issue. Oftentimes those problems begin in childhood and, as we become adults, those issues become physical manifestations of memories we choose not to visit. We many not consciously want to visit those memories, but one way or another our bodies will deal with those issues. It is your choice to deal with them in a healthy and positive manner or deal with them in a negative way, which can draw on our inner energy. Dealing with emotional and mental upset is always difficult in the beginning. It is like a new wound – the initial care of that wound is painful, but as the wound heals, the pain lessens.

The last component of our family health inventory is going to be on self-care mechanism. This is important as it will identify the things we do to soothe and comfort. For example, some individuals who suffer from insomnia will practice a variety of techniques to help them fall asleep. Some of those techniques are very healthy and wise, while many are unhealthy and lead to more serious health concerns. I have a friend who will eat when she can’t sleep. She claims that eating increases her blood sugar and having a full stomach helps her sleep better. Suffice it to say that if you believe it, it will happen. So who am I to argue with her? However, she is 75 pounds overweight, and what she is eating is indeed raising her blood sugar and filling her stomach, but is doing so in an unhealthy manner.

In the third and final part of this series we will finish up with the health inventory and discuss ways to be a self-advocate in the doctor’s office. Remember, only you can control who you are and who you want to be. Don’t be a victim of crisis living. Take the time to practice prevention. You will be glad you did. You deserve longevity!

Mini-Health Assessment Test
1. Do you fail to get annual pap smears?
2. Are you putting off your annual mammograms?
3. Are you more than 25 pounds overweight?
4. Are you blowing off a regular exercise program?
5. Are you skipping meals during the day?
6. Are you putting the needs of others before your own?
7. Are you neglecting to schedule your physicals annually?
8. Do you get angry easily?
9. Do you find that you have a short fuse?
10. Are you envious and jealous of others?
11. Do you feel worn out and tired most of the time?
       
If you find that you have more yes responses, chances are you’re neglecting yourself, your physical and emotional well-being. Make a list of all your excuses and then ask yourself, “how would I treat those excuses if a patient gave them to me?” Stop making excuses and start living a more healthy and productive life.

Make Your Doctor’s Visit Count
1.     Come prepared for your check-up. Write down any questions you might have. You will be surprised how you might forget what you wanted to ask because the doctor is rushing through the exam.
2.     Because recommended diagnostic tests are always changing, ask, “What are the recommended tests I should take at my age?”
3.     What are your options? For example, you can take a routine mammogram, or you might have the option to take the new sonogram heat sensor exam. Why the difference? It has been suggested that the way in which the breast is prepared for the x-ray could actually disturb the integrity of the tumor (if present) and increase the chances of the tumor spreading. The heat sensor exam prevents this occurrence.
4.     Have the doctor review all your current medications, including over-the-counter, herbal, and homeopathic. New types of medications are always being released and perhaps you could take one pill that will take care of two problems, such as xanax, a drug used to treat anxiety but also is used to treat insomnia.
5.     Ask the doctor to inspect your skin. Melanoma is on the rise. Catching it early can save lives.
6.     Your body is like a car; you want to check your body from head to toe. Annual physicals should be coupled with annual eye exams, dental exams, and the like. Do you have diabetes? Then you should be getting an A1C every three months.
7.     Disclose everything. The doctor can’t do his job if you don’t do yours. We tend to internalize our problems, but those problems manifest themselves in many ways. Don’t be ashamed to acknowledge that you have a problem and need help.
8.     Write down all the things you need from the doctor. It is far easier to get forms completed, a new prescription, or a referral, for example, during your appointment.
9.     Read your health insurance benefit booklet. It is important to know what is covered under your plan and what your exclusions are as well. However, just because a condition is purported to be an exclusion doesn’t mean you can’t find a loophole in obtaining that service. For example, there is a Federal Act that states all children born with cleft palates are entitled to full medical care, and all oral treatments are covered under the medical component of your policy and not the dental portion. For example, braces are normally covered under dental, and there usually is a large patient co-portion. But if the braces are covered under medical, then most if not all of the charges are covered.
10.  If you feel you are not being treated fairly you can appeal a decision or go to the insurance commission. Most appeals are denied the first time around. Be persistent.

Armed with the right tools you can make mountains move! It is important to be aware of any changes you might experience within your body. Most of us will make excuses or deny that anything is wrong. A chronic cough may not be allergy related but could be an indication of something much more serious. Diarrhea is not normal and never should be treated as such. You could have developed an allergy to something you are eating or have developed a malfunction of the bowel. Vision changes are not always age-related. My father had a freckle on his retina that became cancerous.

Lastly, remember that children and some elderly parents can’t advocate for themselves. And what about that stubborn husband who thinks he is perfectly healthy and doesn’t need to see the doctor? Tell him how much you love him and how important it is to ensure he is healthy. Nagging him will not encourage him to see the doctor but only encourage him to dig his heels in deeper. He needs to know that he is an important part of the family. Find out what his concerns are and discuss them. Usually that is enough to help him make the right decision.

Disclaimer: Dr. Mundorff is a Board Certified Naturopath, and not a medical doctor. The information in this column is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose and treat diseases. Naturopathy is a complementary practice to health care and should be used in conjunction with a competent health care practitioner. Many herbal and homeopathic remedies can actually be contraindicated in many health conditions, with certain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Please consult your physician before starting any alternative modalities. 

Dr. Mundorff has worked in health care for over 25 years as a registered nurse, health educator, associate professor, and a naturopathic doctor. She is a certified nutritional consultant and a board certified traditional naturopath and the author (as Linda Rener) of three books: Medical Terminology: A Student Workbook, Memories of My Sister: Dealing with Sudden Death, and Take Control: A Guide to Holistic Living, You can email Dr. Mundorff at Bridges2hlth@aol.com or visit her website: www.freewebs.com/bridges2hlth

Published in the August/September 2007 issue of Innerchange.