World Health Day, 7 April 2012
Many people willingly lead unhealthy lives, arguing that old age and illness are inevitable. What these individuals do not realise is that while you cannot stop yourself from ageing, you can help to ensure that you enjoy a healthy and active life in later years. All you have to do is make the right choices for your health now.
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the topic ‘Ageing and health: Good health adds life to years' this World Health Day, 7 April 2012.
What is an unhealthy lifestyle?
Living unhealthily means living in a way that threatens your health now or in the future, or both. While there are certain aspects to modern life that are difficult to avoid, such as pollution, you can make healthier choices about the way you live. Below is a list of common risks that can lead to poor health:
By choosing to take control of these aspects of your life you can improve your current health status and help to minimise and even eliminate diseases that, in your old age, may be costly to manage and cause you pain and discomfort.
What illnesses might I suffer from when I'm old?
There are a number of illnesses that elderly people suffer from. Many of these are not particular to elderly people but can be more common amongst those individuals who did not or were not able to take care of their health when they were younger.
What can I do to reduce my risk of bad health in old age?
Stop smoking and reduce or omit your intake of alcohol to one drink per day for women and two per day for men.
Change your diet to include more vegetables and fruit, leaner protein and plenty of water. Cut out ‘junk food', such as sweets, chips, soft drinks ad other items high in saturated fats and sugars.
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days. This can include brisk walking, lifting weights, dancing, yoga, pilates, swimming or cycling. Be sure to check with your doctor to find out if any of these activities are not appropriate for you.
Visit your doctor and ask him or her to assess your weight and tell you whether you need to lose a few kilos or not. Find out your ideal weight and try to stick to it. Weigh yourself regularly so that you know whether you are staying on track or not.
Try to get enough sleep; six to eight hours a day depending on what you feel you need. While this is not always possible, many people choose to stay up late watching television rather then going to bed at a reasonable hour. Sleep deprivation affects your immune system and can be harmful in the long term. If you have trouble sleeping, speak to your doctor about ways in which you can get a good night's rest.
Stress is a natural part of life, however too much stress can have a negative impact on your health. Find ways to manage your stress, such as taking short walks during the day, making time for your hobbies and talking to a friend or family member about issues that are bothering you.
Practice safe sex and know your partner. South Africa has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world and it is important to protect yourself from this illness, which results in painful and fatal secondary infections if left untreated. Always use a condom and make sure that both you and your partner know your HIV status. This kind of responsible behaviour can also help to protect you from other sexually transmitted infections, some of which can lead to serious health issues.
Have regular health check-ups, particularly for conditions that exist in your family such as breast cancer or heart conditions, for example. By doing this you can identify your specific risk factors and manage them accordingly. This will also help to catch certain diseases early on so that treatment can be as effective as possible.
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.
Sources:
1. The World Health Organisation, www.who.int
2. The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com
3. BBC Health, www.bbc.co.uk/health
4. ElderlyJournal.com, www.elderlyjournal.com
