---------------------- The New England Journal of Medicine reports the average doctor's appointment lasts less than 22 minutes. An American Medical Association report cites patients changing health insurance providers as a reason few have the same 'family doctor' watching over them year after year. It's quickly becoming the patient's responsibility to keep an eye on her own changing health, guide her doctors, and pursue preventive health maintenance.
by Contributing Editor Melina Papadakis
The kindly old family practitioner keeping an eye out for the patient's overall health is a thing of the past. These days, doctors are as swamped with paperwork as they are with patients.
In his new book, Medical Crisis: Secrets Your Doctor Won't Share With You, Dr Anthony Martin asserts that breast cancer and prostate cancer are nearly 100 percent preventable. It takes more than five years for most cancers to grow to the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. By the time cancer is found by routine blood tests or feeling a lump, the patient may have missed precious time.
Here are Dr. Martin's four warning signs to find out if you are on the path to cancer, stroke or other illnesses:
1) Energy. "If you've been tired for three weeks straight, your body is trying to tell you something is wrong." Long-term fatigue is tied to red blood cells. Red blood cell problems can lead to liver, kidney or brain trouble. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a simple blood test.
2) PH Balance. 70 percent of the human body is water. Water, like in your swimming pool, is either acidic or alkaline. An unbalanced pH (Potential Hydrogen) level is a breeding ground for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pre-mature aging. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a saliva test.
3) Free Radicals. The body produces free radicals as a process of detoxifying itself. When balanced, they are used by the immune system to destroy bacteria and viruses. Unbalanced free radicals can lead to cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, arthritis or Alzheimer's. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a urine test.
4) Inflammation. You need cells to 'puff up' to stop bleeding – but too much can strangle the arteries and cause coronary heart disease. Fat cells are a side affect of obesity. Too many fat cells or cells that are too 'puffy' can lead to asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Check yourself: Ask your doctor for a blood test.
According to Dr. Martin, once you've got a realistic idea of where you stand, you can work toward healthier living habits. "Change your attitude, change your diet, change your exercise habits and change your supplements," he said.
Do you have a personal health regimen that you follow? What do you do to stay healthy?
For more interesting articles and news you can use, visit our main Web page at www.Boomerful.com.
Comments