Sit up and take notice of your health
There are many medical matters that have been overlooked because of Covid.. Abi Jackson looks at six areas needing attention
COVID still dominates the health agenda but two years of pandemic living have taken a toll. So, with the new year almost here, could it be worth checking in on our overall health?
We’ve asked experts to talk us through six key areas for a top-totoe health roll call for 2022...
Are you sitting down too much?
MANY of us are now more sedentary than ever – and that’s a big concern. “Too much sedentary time and sitting poorly leads to bone thinning and muscle weakness, which has a knock-on effect of lowering metabolism and interfering with blood-sugar regulation,” said psychologist and personal trainer Suzy Reading.
“Sitting reduces circulation, decreasing availability of nutrients and oxygen and impeding the removal of waste products, leading to swelling, stiffness and pain in muscles and joints.
“Listen to your body – if you are uncomfortable, what can you do to improve your set-up? Even just getting out of your chair and having a shake-out can be enough.”
Are you due any routine check-ups?
Thousands of appointments have been cancelled since the start of the pandemic and many of us have fallen behind with routine checks.
But as Dr Stephanie Ooi, GP at MyHealthcare Clinic in London, said: “Routine checks and screenings are really important. In the case of smear tests and mammograms, they can catch abnormal cells early and before cancer has a chance to spread. If you have an illness that needs regular monitoring, such as diabetes, check-ups are key in preventing your condition leading to other problems.”
Have you been ignoring niggles?
Similarly, if you’ve been putting off seeing your GP and ignoring niggles, heed Dr Ooi’s advice. She added: “It can be easy to think, ‘Oh I don’t want to bother anyone’, but if you are worried, pick up the phone.”
Could sleep be a bigger priority?
“We’ve grown into a culture of filling all the hours of the day with activities, with sleep being the first thing that’s sacrificed when short on time,” said Samantha Briscoe, lead clinical physiologist at London Bridge Hospital (part of HCA UK). “Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly. Poor-quality sleep can also affect our body weight, as changes in appetiteregulating hormones mean we are more likely to consume excess calories and exercise/burn less.”
Are you getting enough time outdoors?
Staying home has been a big part of the pandemic but time outdoors really is a tonic. “Any form of physical activity is great but I make the case for walking, because it has the potential to combine several wellbeing practices,” said Counselling Directory member Wendy Nicholas.
Is it time to see a dentist?
It’s important not to leave routine check-ups too long. “Dentists are trained to look out for a range of health problems, including early signs of cancer in the mouth and jawbone,” said Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of private dental firm Banning Dental Group.
“It is always a race against time to identify, diagnose and treat oral cancers. The success of any treatment is dependent on how early it’s diagnosed.
“Gum disease may increase your risk of all kinds of other health complications, including stroke, diabetes and heart disease.”