Yes, until you realise that counter tickets are much more expensive, you have no idea of what the visa requirements are, you have no hotel reservations, you do not know what clothing is appropriate. Is it hot? Is it cold? You are ignorant of culture or customs. You know nothing of the history, or the political environment, or the economic situation. The fantasy quickly turns into a nightmare of reckless self-indulgence, expensive missteps and bad airport food. Perhaps preplanning would have been a good idea…
It seems ridiculous to think of travelling like that, and yet many people treat their health journey the same way. They show up without metaphorical reservations, luggage or visas. The mindset is often supported by thoughts like these: I don’t like going to the doctor. The women in my family live forever. The men in my family drop dead of heart attacks, I can’t change fate. I don’t want to know. Are they freely relinquishing responsibility for their own well-being and putting it into the hands of the health gods? A healthcare power of attorney? Or is it something else?
For some, knowledge is power, for others ignorance is bliss. Somewhere in the middle is desirable; neither obsessing about ‘what might happen’ nor ignoring the subtle and not so subtle signals of ‘dis-ease’.
As a health Coach, one of the first things that I would like to know is how recently someone has had a complete physical, and what, if anything, was different from the previous one. Why? Because for you to know where you are going, you need to know where you have been. Another valuable piece of health insight is knowing your family history. A favourite phrase ‘genetics load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger’ captures it all. You cannot choose your grandparents but how you live your life is entirely within your control.
The book ‘Outlive’ by Peter Atilla M.D. (my favourite book in 2023) emphasises proactive strategies for extending lifespan and healthspan. It encourages the use of data such as blood biomarkers to guide health decisions and track progress. He embraces technological advances but stresses the foundational value of lifestyle choices. In this era of gene sequencing and artificial intelligence, one can ascertain almost any aspect of their biological risk profiles. For a health data nerd like me, this sounds like fun. For ordinary mortals, great insight and behaviour guidance can be determined from a few simple and affordable tests.
Typical exams start with vital sign measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, height, and weight. Basic lab work typically includes complete blood counts, basic metabolic panels, lipid panels, liver function tests and urinalyses. A wealth of information can be gleaned from these tests, especially when compared with previous results. Noticeable changes can potentially be a call for action. An upward creep of cholesterol? A reduction in height? Microscopic traces of blood in your urine? A change in body mass? Something is off. Do not wait for someone to draw attention to the differential; you owe it to yourself to ask questions.
Small problems are usually easier, faster and cheaper to solve. In the era of electronic medical records, most medical reports are retrievable online. When was your last physical exam? Barring resource constraints or access to care, are you overdue? If something concerns you, ask questions from reputable sources. Be wary of internet advice. Rather than blame your grandparents for your cholesterol or your children for your grey hair, accept your current state but commit to change. Explore lifestyle changes first, and then consider the addition of evidence-based science to be part of the solution.
Whether you are flying Business Class or Coach, the plane arrives at the destination at the same time. Better health can fit into most budgets. Information and effort are the travel agents for your healthspan expedition. Choose your destination wisely and enjoy!
Libby Heath shares her insights and advice through her column ‘Wellthwise’ here in The Phuket News. Please note that if you have a condition that requires medical treatment, consult your doctor. Contact Libby at: BeWellthwise@gmail.com