Healthy eating is essential to good health. It reduces risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and mental disorders. It can improve concentration and mood, and help prevent deficiency symptoms such as fatigue, depression and anxiety.
Health is a complex phenomenon, and it can be difficult to define. Traditionally, people have understood it as the absence of disease or medically measured risk factors.
Prevention
Many health problems, like infections, heart disease and cancer, can be prevented by vaccinations, good diet and exercise, not smoking and using seatbelts. Mental illnesses and injuries from accidents, bullying or violence can also be prevented with education and community initiatives.
Prevention science generates practices and policies that improve countless lives throughout the lifespan by avoiding negative health outcomes, like drug use disorders, academic failure, violence and mental illness, as well as reducing social conditions, such as poverty, that make it hard for people to live healthy, productive lives. Prevention strategies are cost-efficient when implemented across multiple public sectors (e.g., education, child welfare, health, juvenile justice and housing) to reduce downstream costs of health problems.
Several governing bodies make prevention recommendations, including the United States Preventive Services Task Force and various specialty organizations for vaccinations, women’s health and other topics. Coalitions work on prevention by supporting and promoting events, policies and educational curricula to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors in our communities and individuals.
Treatment
A treatment, often abbreviated as Tx or Txs, is an intervention intended to remediate a health problem, such as a disease or disorder. It is typically ordered by a physician as part of a care plan following a diagnosis.
It is important to distinguish between a treatment and a cure. A cure means that the problem disappears and is not expected to come back. For example, treating athlete’s foot with medicated cream or powder can make the problem go away permanently.
It is also important to understand that treatment is not always effective. A person with a mental illness, for example, may not respond to treatment. And treatment of a condition like drug addiction can be complicated by the fact that there are many factors involved, including genetics and environment. Still, there is much that can be done to treat illness and injury. The goal is to help people get well and live longer, healthier lives.
Rehabilitation
Globally, an estimated 2.4 billion people live with health conditions that may benefit from rehabilitation. This number is expected to increase due to population aging, changes in health and disease patterns, and ongoing incidence of injury and child developmental conditions.
Rehabilitation can take different forms depending on the cause of a health condition and the individual’s needs. For example, some people who have had surgery to remove a cancer or a broken leg will undergo rehabilitation to learn how to use the leg again and how to manage their pain.
The essential package of rehabilitation interventions includes two phases. The first phase focuses on controlling pain and swelling (if present), using physical modalities, manual therapy, medications, stretching exercises and initial strength training. This phase typically requires a physician’s care. However, it can also be provided by licensed medical professionals who are trained in rehabilitation such as athletic trainers and physical therapists. Ideally, these services are provided in the hospital and community.
End of Life Care
The last stage of life is a very difficult time for many people and it can be confusing. It is important for family members to talk about end of life care with their loved ones. This can help them understand what kind of end of life care their loved one wants and it may also reduce conflict.
Providing end of life care involves a team of health professionals including doctors, nurses and social workers. It can include palliative care which provides pain relief and other support for patients with terminal illnesses. It can also include counselling for the patients and their families, and practical help such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Studies show that if older adults make their wishes known to their family and doctors, it is less likely they will receive end of life care which is not consistent with their desires. This can save their family and loved ones a lot of grief, stress and money as well as avoid the need for hospitalisation.