| Health |
I hope you are doing well this Friday. After taking a break to work on a health issue, I’ve learned it’s important to be an advocate for your health… to monitor, keep track of, understand, and be engaged with your health.
I’m not a doctor and not trying to give medical advice. I’m also not suggesting that people should go so far as not seeking professional medical help. My thought is that you and your doctor should be a team.
This begins with finding a doctor who will truly listen to you, dig deeper than the status quo on any issues you may be having, take the time to explain what’s going on, and help you take steps to attain your best health.
You can help your doctor by gathering your family health history to see if there are any issues to discuss, keep an eye on, and learn about lifestyle choices that may help you avoid conditions that raise concern. Here’s a link to a previous post that contains a family health history template you can use. https://lifeinelements.com/organize-your-family-health-history/
Also, the earlier you catch an issue, in general, the easier it is to fix it. One way to stay on top of any issues arising is to monitor and keep track of your measurements and tests. Below I have a link to a health tracker template to note your stats. This will allow you to catch any drastic changes or note any out of range levels. The first page is for some typical tests given at routine appointments. The second page is blank for you to record what you would like to keep track of. Talk to your doctor about optimal ranges for you in order to gage where you stand. Ask questions if you notice anything that concerns you. Your doctor can order further testing, help you get to the root cause, and make suggestions to support you.
Finally, understand and engage in your health with education. If you are struggling with a health issue, ask your doctor to recommend resources such as books, online courses, or podcasts for you to learn more. Knowledge is power, and there are many ways to support and boost your health.