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Stress and the Immune System
The body always seeks balance, or homeostasis. Cortisol is needed in just the right amount. The hormone is synthesized by the adrenal glands, which are small glands that sit on top of both kidneys. An area of the brain called the hypothalamus initiates a series of steps that ultimately causes the release of cortisol by the adrenal glands.
The Importance of the Patient Care Environment: Ventilation
Nightingale emphasized that the environment influenced healing. The core principles of the Environmental Theory, or canons, include ventilation, clean water, proper nutrition, natural light, minimal noise, and clean bedding. These canons highlight the close relationship among the patient, environment, health, and nurse.
When Medications Harm
Medications seem to work miracles when people are not feeling well or have a certain condition to treat. Have a headache? Pain? Nausea? Diarrhea? Diabetes? Depression? Urinary problems? Obesity? Arthritis? High blood pressure? Heartburn? Medications are advertised to help the symptoms of any ailment. Yet what happens when drugs that have been marketed for years are pulled from shelves due to medical harm?
Too Much Information
Returning to the discussion of health assumptions that drive too much medical care, let’s review the fourth assumption in Less Medicine More Health by Dr. H. Gilbert Welch. The fourth assumption is that getting more information is always the right choice.
Melanoma and the Importance of Sunlight
With summer fast approaching, people are inclined to spend time outside in the brilliant sunshine. Throughout many decades, caution has been heeded to avoid too much sun and apply sunblock for skin protection. Although a plethora of health literature gives warnings about the sun and its cause for melanoma, many research findings show evidence of the sun’s benefit for the skin.
Overdiagnosis of Melanoma
When health screening takes place, there should also be evidence that the screening leads to better survival. In the example of melanoma, the incidence of disease has risen over the past decades, while the mortality rate has remained stable. The issue is well-depicted by the National Cancer Institute website for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER)
The Role of Inflammation in Obesity
White adipose tissue stores energy and regulates certain metabolic functions [2]. Metabolism describes the process by which the body breaks down nutrients to use for energy. Regulating inflammation is one of the functions of adipose tissue. Certain molecules are released that contribute to or inhibit the inflammatory process.
Choices With Screening
The third assumption is that sooner is always better. This chapter examines screening, which is defined as searches for abnormalities without any presence of disease symptoms
Factors and Considerations in Endometriosis
In endometriosis, the endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the structure. Common sites affected include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the gastrointestinal tract [2]. Other organs that may be involved are the lung, heart, and central nervous system. We will explore common symptoms, theories about the condition, and options when faced with endometriosis.
Fixing Problems Is Not Always Best
The second assumption is that fixing the problem is always the best choice.
Health Implications: The Lurking Quandaries with Dairy
Often people assume age or genetics are the culprits of health issues. For instance, “My mother was obese, and therefore I am obese.” Yet only rarely are these to blame for disease. Normal aging patterns should not cause sickness. Most conditions occur because of lifestyle habits, such as eating. Consuming an optimal diet of whole food plant-centered nutrition allows the body to thrive. Disease may be halted, prevented, and/or reversed. One of the biggest offenders of illness and weight gain in the Western diet may surprisingly be dairy.
Accepting Risks
An important piece of making health decisions is avoiding too much medical care. In the book Less Medicine More Health: 7 Assumptions that Drive Too Much Health Care [1], Dr. Gilbert Welch presents seven assumptions that drive not only healthcare, but also public policy. We will consider these assumptions and how this knowledge can avert overdiagnosis and provide meaningful care. The first assumption is that all risks can be lowered.
Avoiding Overdiagnosis
Knowing the kinds of questions to ask your healthcare provider can put you in the driver’s seat so that you can make informed decisions about your care.
The Whole Food Way of Losing Weight
Developing a healthier lifestyle is often an effective strategy that avoids weight cycling, fad diets, and calorie counting. Instead of focusing on losing weight, paying attention to the quality of health may be the key. One significant aspect is nutrition.
In Pursuit of Reference Ranges
Reference ranges are important tools for clinicians to use to compare a patient’s test results against a certain standard and guide decisions
Solution to Dieting: A Focus on Health
During the holiday season, we often think about socializing with friends and family, stunning buffet spreads, and imbibing our favorite drink. By the time New Year’s arrives, we promise to lose weight and not consume such rich foods again. Sound familiar?
Risks of Healthcare System Overuse
Being familiar with health options and asking questions about the necessity of treatment is important to avoid overuse of the healthcare system and the risks that medical care can bring.
Alarming Health Implications of Obesity
Obesity has been an increasing health concern in recent years. One study states that “excess weight has become the leading risk factor for disease burden in high-income countries” [1]. Described as excess body fat, obesity has risen substantially over recent decades, having an enormous impact on population and individual health.
The Link Between Mental and Physical Health
In modern healthcare, the different aspects of the human body are often viewed as separate and distinct problems. Physical health is categorized into an abundance of specialties, such as cardiology and gastroenterology. Mental health is considered a distinct entity. Yet many pieces of health literature describe mental and physical health as intricately related.