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How Healthy Are You?

by Dr. Candace Jensen

Mary had been living with severe abdominal pain for months and refused to go to the doctor.  Her biggest excuse was that doctors were just out to rip you off, and that they created strange diagnoses just to make the hospitals richer.  When she collapsed at work in severe pain, and was rushed to the hospital, it turned out that she had gallstones and needed emergency surgery right away.

Joanna kept experiencing shooting pain in one of her breasts, and attributed it to wearing the wrong kind of bra.  Unfortunately, she learned, after her mother insisted she see the doctor, that she was in the early stages of breast cancer.  Studies show that African-American men and women are least likely to go to the doctor when they experience symptoms of illness, than any other ethnic group.  Why?  Experts say, it is mostly due to fear, ignorance and/or lack of medical coverage.

Here are some of the common ailments that go un-diagnosed among African-American men and women, because they don’t always seek treatment.

Allergies – Exaggerated immune reactions to common substances that are swallowed, injected, or inhaled, or that touch the skin or eyes, allergies can make an otherwise healthy person feel miserable.  Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, choking, runny nose, sneezing, tearing and itching.  The skin, respiratory system, stomach, intestines, and the eyes are typically affected.

Common-Sense Care – Perhaps the best advice is the simplest:  Go see a doctor, find out what you’re allergic to, and avoid the food, plants, animals, drugs, dust, or other substances that trigger an allergic reaction.  If the allergy is airborne, then you should clean living and working spaces frequently.  Wear a face mask when doing chores.  Get rid of dust, molds, and mildew.  Discard old rugs, pillow, furniture, and stuffed animals.

  • Performing exercises that strengthen the lungs and the diaphragm, which is the muscle between the chest and abdomen, can help minimize recurrences of such respiratory aliments as bronchitis.  This disorder could develop from a bad cold or other respiratory tract infections.
  • The practice of deep, controlled breathing can help relax those with bronchitis, asthma, hay fever, and other such ailments.

Depression – Feeling lonely, bored, helpless, alienated, or hopeless are among the emotions associated with depression.  When depression interferes with daily living, it can be considered a form of mental illness.  Feeling sad now and then is a normal part of life, but losing your self-esteem and interest in other people may signal depression.  The risk of depression tends to be highest during adolescence, middle age, and after retirement.

Common-Sense Care – Exercise can be a powerful antidote to depression.  Vigorous workouts can make you feel better about your appearance and may release chemicals in the body that improve your mood.  Running, brisk walking, bicycling, and other aerobic exercise, weight lifting, gymnastics, ballet, and other forms of dancing can be effective.  Exposure to fresh air and the sun can help a gloomy outlook. 

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