Why Your DNA's Not The Final Say In Your Health
With the constant debate of our country's healthcare system in the forefront of both politics and many other aspects of our lives, I wanted to use this month's blog to talk about how we can reform our own health. According to Dr. Jason Deitch, author of Discover Wellness, his solution to our current healthcare crisis is simple, we need less sick people!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2006, the top 5 causes of death in the United States were:
- Cardiovascular Disease (over 630,000 deaths)
- Cancer (nearly 560,000 deaths)
- Stroke (over 135,000 deaths)
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (over 124,000 deaths)
- Accidents / Unintentional Injuries (over 121,000 deaths)
Take out accidents and you'll see that these top 4 causes of death in our country share not only a genetic component (family history), but also common preventable risk factors as well.
These preventable risk factors include:
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
- Physical Inactivity
- Obesity / Overweight
- Diabetes
- Smoking and Tobacco Use
- Excessive Alcohol Intake
- Stress
Take a quick look around and you'll see that many of these preventable risk factors are going largely unaddressed by our society as a whole. Massive amounts of money is being spent in our current healthcare system to help treat these diseases and chronic conditions that plague our country that largely could be avoided. By being proactive with your health and living a wellness-based lifestyle, you can help prevent these conditions from affecting you.
Unfortunately, many people are genetically predisposed to these conditions but that doesn't mean that there's nothing you can do about it. I've said numerous times to patients in our office and also on our website that wellness is not complicated, but rather simple. We've recommended using our ABC's of Wellness with eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, supportive chiropractic care, consistency, avoiding tobacco and limiting your alcohol intake to take control of your health. Just imagine the effects that could come from more people living a wellness-based lifestyle for not only themselves, but also for our country as a whole. Healthcare spending on prescription medications could drop, diabetes and obesity rates would decrease as well as the prevalence of the above diseases that have accounted for over 1.4 MILLION deaths a year! No wonder congress has advocated that prevention and wellness care play a significant role in any healthcare reform legislation.
So instead of taking the "I'll cross that road when I get to it" approach or the "It runs in my family what can I do?", take control of your health by living a wellness-based lifestyle and being proactive instead of reactive and trying to fix an issue after it's already become a problem. Don't let your genetic past dictate the present and future of your health.
Assemble your healthcare team today by seeing your primary care doctor for regular bloodwork to know your levels and your risks, see your chiropractor for supportive chiropractic care to ensure that your nervous system is functioning at its highest level and live a wellness-based lifestyle by addressing these preventable risk factors and you will be well on your way to ensuring good health!
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease
Risk Factors For Cancer
Risk Factors For Stroke
Risk Factors For Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Our ABC's of Wellness
Discover Wellness Center