There are numerous research papers with studies promoting the importance of exercise in the management of various chronic diseases. While this is great as exercise has minimal if any side effects and is easily accessible, we need to remember that prevention is better than cure and introduce exercise into our lives before we develop health problems.
Why do we often wait until we have a problem before we take action?
One of the reasons is that many health conditions have subtle or silent symptoms. Take high blood pressure for example. While some people experience headaches, many people only find out that their blood pressure is too high when their doctor measures it and tells them during a routine checkup. The same often occurs with other conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Thirst, fatigue and increased urination are all common symptoms of type 2 diabetes, however, can easily be overlooked – particularly in summer! Like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed during routine monitoring by doctors.
Why do we dismiss the signs?
Warning signs can be In many chronic diseases the warning signs can be subtle. As a result we often dismiss the need for health and lifestyle reform as we tell ourselves we don’t ‘feel’ sick. In fact, we often feel the same as this time last year when we didn’t have high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, these thoughts are the driver for what is commonly a reactive model of healthcare. We wait until our health deteriorates to a noticeable level and then apply management strategies.Â
What are some management strategies?
Incorporating exercise into our day to day routine is a simple yet powerful tool that can prevent many chronic diseases from developing. Are you proactive about your health? We would love to hear your stories about how you take a preventive approach to your health.