JGYST | Health as Top Ppriority

Step One – Your Health Becomes Your Top Priority

I find this step the easiest to approach and the most important one: take responsibility for your health! Many people I talk to tend to overlook their health issues – some are scared, others simply negligent. Don’t be like that.

Last spring, I went to my GP with a list of questions about my health and worked through them until everything was answered and I had recommendations for the specialists I needed to see. I think this is a good approach – go to your annual check-ups prepared with questions, and really pay attention to the answers you receive.

I’ve made a list based on my own experience and other people’s health concerns. If you can think of anything to add, please share your suggestions in the comments below!

It’s a start:

• Complete blood count and a thorough examination by your doctor.
• Hormone check – if you’re a woman and notice changes or unpleasant new symptoms in your body. Many women suffer from thyroid disease. It’s always a good idea to check – whatever the result, you’ll have the chance to act accordingly.
• Share your fears, even if they seem insignificant or baseless. My father died of oesophageal cancer, and I used to panic every time my throat hurt or I had heartburn.
• Monitor your blood pressure for two weeks, measuring it properly. This should be enough to see whether anything is abnormal.
• If you struggle with your weight, seek advice from a doctor. In my experience, doctors rarely recommend dieting, but instead suggest changes in daily habits.
• If you’re a woman, book an appointment with a gynaecologist. Prepare your questions in advance and don’t be afraid to ask them. My own gynaecologist recommends check-ups no more than a year apart.
• See any specialists you feel the need to consult: dermatologist, ophthalmologist, ENT specialist, podiatrist or orthopaedic physician, allergist, and so on.
• Don’t forget your teeth.
• Don’t self-diagnose and don’t spend too much time reading online articles before you’ve been assessed by a doctor (and maybe not afterwards, either).

I know I’m fortunate to live in a country with an excellent healthcare system. It’s a privilege, and if you have access to universal healthcare, take advantage of it – because life truly starts to shift once you’re no longer consumed by fears about your health.

Beyond that, I’ve met some of the kindest people in doctors’ offices this year, who have quite literally changed my life for the better. I’ll never forget a brief conversation with a doctor who was examining me for something completely unrelated, but gave me brilliant advice on how to cope with stress. I think I underestimated the power of positive human interaction in stressful situations, such as medical appointments, for most of my life.

Or perhaps I’d simply never experienced it until moving to Austria. After bursting into tears of gratitude on two or three occasions (outside the office, thankfully), I had a kind of personal catharsis: my body was healthy, even though I’d neglected it for years, and I was finally ready to take the second step in my healing journey. I also heard the first genuine words of encouragement from my doctor, which gave me a fresh perspective – and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

If, however, you find yourself facing a less favourable outcome, at least you’ll know what you’re up against. I believe that treating any illness should involve not only the body but also the mind. Ask questions, seek supportive groups of people in similar situations, and never let fear or depression dictate your decisions. And never dismiss health problems as “small” or “insignificant”. It’s always better to ask about a minor symptom than to ignore it altogether.

Tips & Hints

• Keep a health journal or folder – simple and to the point. Track when your appointments took place, when the next ones are scheduled, any diagnoses you’ve been given, and the medicines prescribed.
• If, like me, you dread calling a doctor’s office to book an appointment, try scheduling online. It’s easier to manage time preferences, you receive confirmation by email, and you’ll get reminders on your phone the day before. Go for it!