The philosopher Roger Bacon (c. 1214–1294) had the following beliefs in the 13th century: exercise, sufficient relaxation, a nutritious diet, breathing the breath of a young virgin, and excellent cleanliness were all necessary for a long and healthy life. In the 13th century, living to be eighty years old was an amazing feat, especially considering the lack of medical care, antibiotics, and adequate sanitation. Going back in time to 2004, the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association (jama) released a comprehensive study that demonstrated a 50% reduction in death rates for healthy seventy- to ninety-year-olds who adopted a Mediterranean diet, consumed alcohol in moderation, engaged in physical activity, and did not smoke. With the obvious exception of breathing in a young virgin’s breath, these findings are not too far from what Roger Bacon said more than 700 years ago. These days, study has revealed additional characteristics that have been shown to raise the likelihood of living a long life. They consist of: favorable genetics. Individuals whose parents reached old age ought presumably have a higher chance of living long lives themselves. We still don’t know which particular genes contribute to human aging. elevated blood levels of HDL cholesterol and increased lipoprotein size. Certain cholesterol-related variables may be protective against heart disease and stroke, which are often seen in individuals who live to reach 100 years of age or more, according to some data. being fortunate enough to not be anywhere at the wrong moment. Everyone has heard of someone who was the victim of a violent crime or who was in a serious auto accident. Some suffer from uncommon and inexplicable ailments. appropriate medical prevention. Preventive medicine: what is it? It’s important to take preventative measures against sickness development and to diagnose illnesses as soon as possible. For this reason, there are numerous ways to avoid. It may include getting rid of one or more risk factors that could cause an illness to manifest. Giving up smoking, for instance, might assist shield against a heart attack or stroke. attempting to diagnose a disease early on before it progresses to a major sickness or results in death. a colonoscopy, for instance, aims to find and remove tiny polyps in the colon before they develop into colon cancer. keeping a careful eye on those who are already unwell. Women who have already had breast cancer are at a much increased risk of developing the disease again and will need more frequent screening. Does the older patient have access to appropriate preventative screening? The right way to screen an older person is not well defined. The fact that older people have so many different factors contributes to the confusion. Regarding whether tests are appropriate to request for older patients, there is disagreement among various medical specialty associations. This presents an additional issue. Is an annual physical examination beneficial? We are used to the notion that maintaining our health requires an annual physical examination. Divergent opinions exist on the contents of this test. According to the majority of medical professionals, it ought to include a thorough discussion of any medical concerns, a comprehensive head-to-toe assessment, and lab testing. The fact is that there is no evidence to support the usefulness of this standard format in identifying novel, possibly fatal illnesses. Nonetheless, it’s a chance to talk about activities and check sure the patient has had all recommended vaccines and cancer screenings. According to study, annual scheduled tests are often not helpful for seniors who are otherwise healthy. These tests seem to be helpful and include the following: surface electrocardiogram (eKG), blood chemical panel, chest x-ray, and complete blood cell count (CBC). However, in reality, doing these tests on a yearly basis as a regular will seldom ever reveal any new illnesses. This excerpt is from my most recent book, “recipe for a long, healthy life,” which is available for purchase at www.xlibris.com.au.
Author
jackemails@gmail.com