Medical insight and expertise can indeed be applied to many of us universally, and some truths persist. For example, keeping a healthy weight is helpful, as is gaining a regular and dependable sleep schedule. But it’s also important to recognize that no two people are exactly the same, and what may never bother one person could affect another.
In this light, many people have unique or at least rare healthcare needs, and they deserve access to the care they need. But how can you define what your unique healthcare needs are? How should you proceed once they’re identified? In this post, we hope to discuss that, inspiring you to make robust plans for your health and well-being as we move into the substance of a new year:
Understand Your Genetic History
This can be harder to figure out for some than others, but genetic histories can play a real role in the well-being and development of individuals and their health. Now, just because a parent might have a specific inheritable trait, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get the condition they did. But it’s wise to keep that in mind and can translate to mental health as well as physical health.
For example, medical marijuana usage is often discouraged in those who have a genetic predisposition to mental health conditions. Understanding your predispositions may help you implement lifestyle measures that restrict or prevent certain issues from becoming prominent, and that’s always wise.
Find A Second Opinion When You Need It
In some cases, finding providers that help you and understand your individual needs and challenges can not only be empowering but grant you the peace of mind you’re looking for. Perhaps you feel more comfortable undergoing a women’s health check with a provider who truly understands your unique needs.
Moreover, finding a second opinion when you need it can help you feel less unsure about a given diagnosis or recommended course of treatment, especially if you’ve noticed this hasn’t helped you before now. That’s not to say you should revert to internet research or avoid the direct prescriptions of a trusted medical provider, but nuance and wider perspectives may help in your case.
Balance Conventional Advice With What Works For You
Perhaps you have a unique plan for self-care. Maybe you’ve lost more weight and gained more energy on a ketogenic diet than you have any other form of eating. Balancing conventional advice with what works for you can not only be inspiring, it may grant you the forward optimism you’ve been looking for.
Maybe practices like yoga have been fantastic for managing your fibromyalgia, which has been a struggle up until now, despite conventional advice. That’s not to say you should disregard traditional wisdom, but searching for additional lifestyle metrics outside of that can be an informative and investigative approach to take. Though, ultimately, we fully advocate for however your main physician cares for you – often their opinion is the most evidence-based and should be considered as such.
With this advice, you’re certain to recognize your unique healthcare needs with a degree of appropriate nuance and care.