I mentioned in one of my recent posts about how I had a muscle spasm, which was not a good feeling. It's been a week since then, and even though I've recovered for the most part, there are still times when I worry it will come back. But that is the least of my problems. I have what I think is a canker sore near the back of my mouth. It's perfectly common, and is something I and many have had before, but it's painful since it's near the back of my teeth, including my wisdom teeth. I know it'll go away eventually, but I can't help being concerned whenever I feel pain, or whenever it relates to my health. Especially since if you count the summer when I had coxsackievirus and strep throat, I've had a rare stretch where I always seem to be ill or hurt.
With medicine, science, and technology being what it is, you'd think we'd be further progressed in our analysis of illnesses, but I don't think we are. While we know a lot about diseases like cancer, diabetes, HIV, etc, for obvious reasons, we don't know anything about small things canker sores or coxsackievirus, which annoys me since these aren't major things, and the only thing you can do is wait for it to heal. It's nice I don't have to do anything, but it's painful, and makes me wish there was more certainty or research with certain things pertaining to health. But hopefully, I'm on the road to recovery, or at least figure out for sure what I have if I am ill.
Showing posts with label Doctor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doctor. Show all posts
Friday, March 14, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Under Pressure To Be Healthy
Yesterday, I went to the doctor's, and the results were average to say the least. My health is good, and my blood pressure has gone down, but I gained back more weight than I thought I did from the holidays, so now my mission is to lose 10-15 pounds. I wish I could say this would be a cakewalk, since I've already lost 50 pounds, but everyone knows the last few pounds are always the hardest, and that it's hard going on any diet for an extended period of time. I know I can do it, and am determined to, but it's so frustrating having high blood pressure at such a young age. I thought it was my weight that made it high, but even after losing it, I still have issues. And worse of all, in the past, when my weight was high, my blood pressure was low, but now that I weigh less, my blood pressure is high. THAT MAKES NO SENSE, and is frustrating as hell! With results like that, I sometimes question the system or how I'm even functional.
The thing I question even more though is genetics. I understand that diseases and other things run in the family, but I can't understand how my brother is healthier, despite the fact he eats more greasier foods than I do. Not to mention in such large quantities. To add onto that, I know people who weigh more than me, but somehow they're healthier. How can this be? I love being young, since it gives me an easier chance of improving my health, but when I think about it in the grand scheme of things, it sucks. I'm always under such pressure to be healthy, while others aren't. But at the same time, I know there are others who have it worse than I do, so I'm grateful my health isn't too bad.
It sucks I gained my weight back, but I guarantee that the next time I see my doctor, I'll be thinner. Hopefully, I'll be healthier, but only time will tell...
The thing I question even more though is genetics. I understand that diseases and other things run in the family, but I can't understand how my brother is healthier, despite the fact he eats more greasier foods than I do. Not to mention in such large quantities. To add onto that, I know people who weigh more than me, but somehow they're healthier. How can this be? I love being young, since it gives me an easier chance of improving my health, but when I think about it in the grand scheme of things, it sucks. I'm always under such pressure to be healthy, while others aren't. But at the same time, I know there are others who have it worse than I do, so I'm grateful my health isn't too bad.
It sucks I gained my weight back, but I guarantee that the next time I see my doctor, I'll be thinner. Hopefully, I'll be healthier, but only time will tell...
Friday, November 15, 2013
The Burden Of Beauty
In my Psychology and Women course at school, we just got through the chapters discussing disordered eating, which is a scary thing for those of you who don't know much about it. We learned about all the different types of disorders that are out there, the facts or myths about the beauty myth (depending on how you see things), and the enormous amount of pressure and insecurity women must go through daily because they are always judged by their appearance. It's a terrible thing, but unfortunately the way things are.
As I was reading, like most times in my other classes, I was hit with a revelation. Even though I was a man, I could relate to a lot of issues these women go through. I've dealt with pressure and insecurities about myself because I used to be morbidly obese, and I sort of went through an eating disorder myself because I used to binge or not eat enough. It was never to the point of being anorexic, but there were some parallels. One difference between us obviously though besides biologically, was that I was that I knew I was the way I was because my doctor proscribed it for me. I was obese because I was a certain weight above normal and it was affecting my health, which is why I started to change the way I am. And I think it's worked as I've lost close to 60 pounds, and keep trying to achieve my overall goal of healthy weight and blood pressure.
That brings me to women. As I said, it's terrible they are constantly judged and stigmatized by society, but they have the ability to overcome it because they have the ability to overcome anything. I mean look at their feminist movements having the right to equal education and voting. If you learn or research about it like I have, it's really inspiring stuff. What I have a problem with, is when society affects a woman so much, that they think they need to lose weight or be more beautiful because it's necessary to succeed in life, when that isn't the case at all. I think that's what society wants because they want people to use their money and buy their products. But most women are beautiful just the way they are. They don't need to lose weight or anything; they just need to feel confident and act like themselves. I know it's difficult because society is so critical, but eventually gets through it.
The important thing you all should know is that only a small percentage of people will ever look like models (based off genetics), and that people in advertisements and magazines have their photos airbrushed most of the time, so that's not a realistic way of how to look. I mean, how could a person look so perfect when there's no such thing as a perfect person? So the point is, always be yourself. Don't ask yourself if something makes your butt look big, or if you're fat? Chances are you're fine the way you are. And if you ever want to be sure, ask your doctor because a professional opinion helps the most when society clouds our minds with mixed messages.
Now to be honest, this topic only came to me because of class and because I have friends who constantly say they're not beautiful when they are. I wish people could see themselves the way I see them though since then they'd see how wonderful they really are because of everything else.
As I was reading, like most times in my other classes, I was hit with a revelation. Even though I was a man, I could relate to a lot of issues these women go through. I've dealt with pressure and insecurities about myself because I used to be morbidly obese, and I sort of went through an eating disorder myself because I used to binge or not eat enough. It was never to the point of being anorexic, but there were some parallels. One difference between us obviously though besides biologically, was that I was that I knew I was the way I was because my doctor proscribed it for me. I was obese because I was a certain weight above normal and it was affecting my health, which is why I started to change the way I am. And I think it's worked as I've lost close to 60 pounds, and keep trying to achieve my overall goal of healthy weight and blood pressure.
That brings me to women. As I said, it's terrible they are constantly judged and stigmatized by society, but they have the ability to overcome it because they have the ability to overcome anything. I mean look at their feminist movements having the right to equal education and voting. If you learn or research about it like I have, it's really inspiring stuff. What I have a problem with, is when society affects a woman so much, that they think they need to lose weight or be more beautiful because it's necessary to succeed in life, when that isn't the case at all. I think that's what society wants because they want people to use their money and buy their products. But most women are beautiful just the way they are. They don't need to lose weight or anything; they just need to feel confident and act like themselves. I know it's difficult because society is so critical, but eventually gets through it.
The important thing you all should know is that only a small percentage of people will ever look like models (based off genetics), and that people in advertisements and magazines have their photos airbrushed most of the time, so that's not a realistic way of how to look. I mean, how could a person look so perfect when there's no such thing as a perfect person? So the point is, always be yourself. Don't ask yourself if something makes your butt look big, or if you're fat? Chances are you're fine the way you are. And if you ever want to be sure, ask your doctor because a professional opinion helps the most when society clouds our minds with mixed messages.
Now to be honest, this topic only came to me because of class and because I have friends who constantly say they're not beautiful when they are. I wish people could see themselves the way I see them though since then they'd see how wonderful they really are because of everything else.
Friday, August 2, 2013
High Blood Pressure
Yesterday, I went to the visit the doctor for my annual checkup. It's something that only lasts about 20 minutes, but to me, it feels like hell on earth. You may think I'm exaggerating, but if you've lived the life I have health-wise, you'd dread going to the doctor's too.
My appointment overall was good. In the past, my weight was the thing that messed up my health the most, but this year, it stayed the same from last year. I'm still a little overweight, but I didn't gain anything which is good. The thing that really stunk though was my blood pressure, which was 140/85. Since its been a constant problem the past few years, my doctor recommended I see a cardiologist for medication. I should probably feel happy that something could actually help me control my high blood pressure, but I don't because I've been to a cardiologist before, and it's a pain in the ass. Plus, I've tried hard to change my diet a lot this year from salty foods to healthier choices, so it's a shame that it didn't pay off. I guess I just made a mistake, or genetics was just too much because my family has a history of high blood pressure, among other health problems. Maybe I shouldn't worry only being 22 years old, but I'm not a child anymore. These things are real now.
A few years ago, the term high blood pressure was foreign to me, but now it feels like I can't go a day without hearing about it. I still don't fully understand everything about it, or what causes it genetically, but I'm determined to work my hardest to lower it since I want to improve my health, and live a long and healthy life. I know it'll be hard with genetics, and all the food and stress I go through on an everyday basis, but I have no doubt I can fix it, medication or not. I do wish I could stop feeling so depressed sometimes, but I can't control that all the time, so I'm just going to try to be the best me possible. And it starts now!
My appointment overall was good. In the past, my weight was the thing that messed up my health the most, but this year, it stayed the same from last year. I'm still a little overweight, but I didn't gain anything which is good. The thing that really stunk though was my blood pressure, which was 140/85. Since its been a constant problem the past few years, my doctor recommended I see a cardiologist for medication. I should probably feel happy that something could actually help me control my high blood pressure, but I don't because I've been to a cardiologist before, and it's a pain in the ass. Plus, I've tried hard to change my diet a lot this year from salty foods to healthier choices, so it's a shame that it didn't pay off. I guess I just made a mistake, or genetics was just too much because my family has a history of high blood pressure, among other health problems. Maybe I shouldn't worry only being 22 years old, but I'm not a child anymore. These things are real now.
A few years ago, the term high blood pressure was foreign to me, but now it feels like I can't go a day without hearing about it. I still don't fully understand everything about it, or what causes it genetically, but I'm determined to work my hardest to lower it since I want to improve my health, and live a long and healthy life. I know it'll be hard with genetics, and all the food and stress I go through on an everyday basis, but I have no doubt I can fix it, medication or not. I do wish I could stop feeling so depressed sometimes, but I can't control that all the time, so I'm just going to try to be the best me possible. And it starts now!
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