Carmen Bowen-Wright
REMEMBER, THERE are many sides to wellness but today we will discuss physical and mental wellness.
Physically-well people have a look to them - they are the right size (not fat or underweight) and when seen by a wellness physician they will almost certainly have good skin and bright, pink mucus membranes, indicating the absence of anaemia. In addition, all the major systems will be normal --cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels); the respiratory system which includes the windpipe and the lungs; the neurological system that is, the brain and the nerves of the body and the musculoskeletal system which refers to the bones, joints, and muscles.
When a history is taken from these persons they also have an excellent immune system and will tell you that they seldom get the flu or a cold and may never have had a bout of diarrhoea (running belly).
Such well persons occur on all parts of the age spectrum. They however are the ideal. I can think of many men and women, but more so women, who are physically well in their 80s. Being free of infirmity, they are very functional and still doing the things they did in youth. These persons did not come by their physical wellness, by accident, but practised a lifestyle that supported such wellness.
CREATE WELLNESS
So what of the minority who do not meet the above criteria? They can also create wellness for themselves. For example, a diabetic is creating wellness for himself - he sticks to the diet, is compliant with medication, stays off alcohol, exercises, and takes care of the feet.
Caring for the feet is so important that I have to digress to explain. Diabetics should wear wide, loose-fitting shoes. A bruise from the shoe can turn into an infection, which if not treated at once could end up with the foot being amputated.
But back to the main topic. If you get diabetes or high blood pressure for example, but, the instructions given by your caregiver is carried out, such a person will achieve physical wellness and live for a long time without complications. This person will be functional and be able to go about their daily business.
So, in conclusion, physical wellness is not only achievable by persons who are physically fit and free of any disability. You out there can make a change in your lifestyle and achieve wellness. Just ask your doctor or caregiver about the changes you can make based on your particular illness.
MENTAL WELLNESS
Mental wellness is a broad catchment phrase; it is, therefore, necessary to talk about the conditions which would interfere with the achievement of mental wellness.
There are frank types of mental illness, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia which are very obvious. However, the ones usually interfering with mental wellness in a very subtle way include - depression, panic attacks, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders and emotional states. Many physically-healthy people are underperforming or see themselves as 'sick' but in a mysterious way. This they think is mysterious because they usually move form doctor to doctor without getting relief from symptoms because the wrong caregiver is being used. Such persons need the care of a psychiatrist or a family doctor who has had extra training in mental health problems. Persons who want to achieve mental wellness must know their family history and be bold enough to see a competent physician (psychiatrist) or a trained family physician.
But what can be done to achieve mental wellness? Learn to meditate, this will help you to relax. Curtail your working hours and leave some time for fun. Have a friend or friends with whom you can discuss a stressful problem. Avoid stressful relationships on the job, in the home and in personal relationships. Do not overstep your budget as it is said that 80 per cent of stressed U.S. patients are in financial troubles.
Enjoy your day, until next fortnight when I shall discuss occupational and spiritual wellness.
Dr. Carmen Bowen-Wright is a preventive medicine specialist and wellness physician, Le Clinique, Eden Gardens, phone: 927-4301; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
