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New
Year's Resolutions
for Smart Patients
Mark Twain defined New Year’s
resolutions as those that “go in
one year and out the other.”
Unfortunately for most of us,
his observation is quite
accurate! We quickly give up
resolutions aimed at improving
our health, like weight loss,
exercise, or smoking cessation.
By mid-January we’re back to our
old, bad, health-defying habits.
Here’s a new approach -- choose
resolutions aimed at prevention
instead. They are less
challenging to achieve than the
old standards mentioned above,
but may have very positive
effects on your health. Here are
a few to get you started:
1. Get vaccinated. Vaccines are
the single best way to protect
against contagious illnesses
that could turn deadly. From
seasonal or H1N1 swine flu
shots, to shingles, tetanus or
pneumonia, there are many
vaccines that can help keep you
healthy. Ask your doctor about
them.
2. Develop a healthy skepticism.
When you are diagnosed, or a
treatment is recommended, listen
to what your doctor tells you,
then confirm what you’ve been
told. Get a second opinion, or
find additional information on
the Internet or in the library.
Make sure that your findings
mesh with your doctor’s
recommendations. If they don’t,
then raise your questions before
committing to treatment.
3. Adhere to your treatment
regimen. Once you and your
doctor have agreed on a course
of treatment, then follow that
regimen to the letter. What good
can your blood pressure medicine
do if you rarely remember to
take it? Create a reminder
system or invite your spouse to
nag you – whatever it takes. If
your adherence challenges are
due to another problem such as
the cost of the medication or
side effects that you can’t
tolerate, then discuss possible
alternatives with your doctor to
be sure your needs are
addressed.
4. Don’t get sick! While that
seems a bit simplistic, there
are definite steps you can take.
Avoid situations where you might
be exposed to colds or other
infections. Don’t shake hands,
hug or kiss someone who is sick.
Spare others illness too. Keep
your hands washed, sneeze or
cough into the crook of your
elbow, and dispose of tissues
right away.
You can probably think of
additional ways to stay healthy
that won’t require a gym
membership or a ban on your
favorite foods. Smart patients
realize that not all resolutions
have to be painful to be
successful.
A toast to a healthy 2010!
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Trisha Torrey is Every Patient’s
AdvocateTM.
She offers no medical advice,
but empowers those who
want to learn more about
diagnosis and treatment options
by
providing useful tools and
resources.
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