Prevention is better than cure, as they say. The growing health insurance segment bears this truism out, which is witnessing almost 100% claims ratio. Insurers say that some 16 out of every 100 policyholders register claims under the health policy every year. In other words, the cost of treating 16 policyholders is equal to the premium collected from 100.
Insurers have now discovered that they can make substantial money out of health insurance if they can prevent one out of 100 policyholders from falling ill. To this effect, they are now offering freebies like free health check-ups and discounts on gym memberships to policyholders.
The same financial logic applies to individuals as well. For instance, getting a cavity filled in early will help save several times the amount on a root canal treatment. Most ailments requiring surgery do not occur overnight, but build-up over a period of time and in many cases, can be detected early through regular checks. Doctors say, you almost save up to 50% on health costs with regular check-ups, exercise and balanced diet. The idea is to avoid severe health complications which could also take a toll on your biological as well as financial health.
Monitor BP and sugar levels
Blood pressure is a function of stress and anxiety rather than heredity. Such cases can be kept monitored through counselling, yoga and meditation instead of direct medication if the BP is not alarmingly high. “You can read the early signals such as a constant headache and body ache. Patients suffering from severe stress and hypertension should get their BP checked at least once every week.
Otherwise, once a month check-up would suffice,” explains Dr T Samuel, a senior medical practitioner. BP test can be done for as low Rs 50 with a general physician. Diabetes is a function of heredity, hence it is better to monitor your sugar levels twice a year if any of the parents or grand parents are diabetic.
Exercise and side-effects
Join a gym, shake a leg to some music or just go for a brisk walk in the neighbourhood park for half an hour everyday. There are a plethora of exercise options. First, it will help you destress, thereby keeping tabs on your BP. It helps production of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. It helps you lose weight and maintain an ideal BMI (body mass index) and promote better sleep, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
A cervical or a lower back pain doesn’t sound new to most working professionals who spend 90% of their time sitting in front of the computer. “Just taking a walk every half an hour in the office may sound like a breezy suggestion. But it helps you break the monotonous posture. This combined with regular exercise, good posture and stretches should help the pain ease up,” explains Dr KS Ramakrishnan, a Mumbai–based senior physiotherapist.
Check your oral hygiene
You don’t have to walk to your dentist only when you develop a cavity or for a root canal. It could be for flossing, threading, crowding of teeth or just a gum check. If your gums hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you experience a persistent bad breath, you should visit a dentist. These could be early signs for persistent dental problems.
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
How to Prevent Back Pain
Some ways to reduce muscle tension in the back and reduce the risk of Lower Back Pain.
A healthy lifestyle
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight. To find your body mass index (BMI), take our test.
- Make of regular exercise and warm up before starting a physical activity. This is the best way to maintain strength and flexibility back. Pay particular attention to the muscles of the abdomen and back, which is a natural corset for the spine while protecting it from shocks. It is important to learn the exercises under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Poorly executed exercises may trigger or aggravate back pain.
- Reserve moments of relaxation.
Good posture
- Be aware of posture at all times. The back is straight, eyes forward, shoulders back.
- To lift a heavy object, squat down by bending the knees while keeping your back straight, stand up and unfolding the legs while holding the object close to your body. Avoid twisting.
- To shovel the snow, keep your back as straight as possible. To do this, place the lowest hand possible on the handle, bend your knees to pick up snow, use the knee as a lever when the load is heavy, and avoid twisting the back when it rejects the snow.
At work
- If you must stay long standing, use a low stool on which lay the feet alternately, alternating every five to ten minutes.
- If you must sit for long hours at the office or driving a vehicle, making stops to stretch and stretch.
- Use straight-backed chairs that support well the lower back.
- Use a swivel chair to minimize twisting.
- Adjust the height of the chair or put your feet on a small stool so that knees are slightly higher than hips.
- For computer work, adjust the screen height so that the eyes are fixed straight ahead and head, relatively straight.
Think about it
- Focus on backpacks to handbags, and use both shoulders to carry the backpack.
- Push heavy objects rather than pull them.
- Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes (over 5 cm). Porter rather tight fitting shoes that provide good support.
