What is health?

[Earniel]

Last week in class we had a discussion just what one considers health. We came up with so many different views and nuances that I thought it'd be interesting to bring it up here.

So what would you, yourself, consider as health?

When would you consider yourself in good health, and when in bad health?

Is health determined by lacking nothing or just by having something?

Would having a disability or an allergy make you think of health differently?

Do you think there's an objective definition of health possible? Are there objective factors that can determine health?

I'd like to hear your ideas about this.

[Nurvingiel]

Very interesting Eärniel. I remember having a similar discussion in Anthropology 101, and it was brought up that health is a social construct.

In our society today, we largely define health according to some scientific standards, but as you pointed out, it's not the same for everyone.

If I had the flu, or a more serious illness, I'd say I wasn't healthy. Then I'd say I was healthy when I got better. This includes mental illness - mental health is important, and shoudn't be disregarded.

If I only had one arm (or some other disablity), I wouldn't say I was unhealthy.

About allergies... that is interesting. I have mild asthma and unidentified allergies, but if I am well in all other ways, I consider myself to be in full health. However, I think that I can increase my lung capacity, and when I do, I will have raised what I consider my personal 'upper limits' of health.

Right now, I have not been sleeping as much as I could, and I can still feel the effects of the cold I had. Because of that, I'm not at my own 'full health', but I think I do have good general health because I am very fortunate, and I don't have a chronic or serious illness, and (all joking aside) I'm in full mental health.

[The Gaffer]

Health is something we all take for granted until we haven't got it any more.

As Joni sang: "You don't know what you got till it's gone."

Having said that, you wouldn't want to go around wasting your health by being all grateful and paranoid about it the whole time, now would you?

* sparks up a tab and pours another gin *

[EarthBound]

I can never forget that Health is temporary, period. It is a finite condition finishing in death (of body, at least).

An unnerving notion that I carry with me is that those I love will at some time be gone realitively soon. Meaning, there will be a "last time" I see/talk/hear them. This is almost heartbreaking enough to send one into hermit-hood (is there a support group for hermits??? lol, get it get? yeah I know it was bad).

My belabored point is health is a fleeting & fickle attribute. We all want more of it (quantity) and at better quality.

Ok, now I need a beer.....* "heads to Pracing Pony"

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Very interesting Eärniel.

Thanks.

In our society today, we largely define health according to some scientific standards, but as you pointed out, it's not the same for everyone.

Which scientific standards would you take?

If I had the flu, or a more serious illness, I'd say I wasn't healthy. Then I'd say I was healthy when I got better.

Ah, but what means 'better'? That's also a tough nut to crack, IMO.

This includes mental illness - mental health is important, and shoudn't be disregarded.

Good of you to bring mental health in the discussion. Do you think it is as important as fysical health or less?

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

Health is something we all take for granted until we haven't got it any more.

As Joni sang: "You don't know what you got till it's gone."

Well put!

Having said that, you wouldn't want to go around wasting your health by being all grateful and paranoid about it the whole time, now would you?

* sparks up a tab and pours another gin *

Heheh. Couldn't agree more. *munches another bar of chocolate*

Originally Posted by EarthBound

I can never forget that Health is temporary, period. It is a finite condition finishing in death (of body, at least).

So everyone will eventually become 'unhealthy'?

[The Gaffer]

Yes, we all probably will. Most of the health care costs we incur during our lives happens in the last year of our life.

I suppose the exception would be getting run over by a bus or something.

Nice to have something to look forward to.

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Which scientific standards would you take?

I'm not totally sure... but one I would take is if a harmful virus, bacteria or parasite is hosted by your body, you have less than 100% health.
And by harmful I mean something that damages your health. Crap.
But seriously... harmful is something your immune system fights.

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Ah, but what means 'better'? That's also a tough nut to crack, IMO.

Better would be the removal of said harmful organism or its reduction to some acceptable level by your immune system.

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Good of you to bring mental health in the discussion. Do you think it is as important as fysical health or less?

Thanks. I think mental health is equal in importance to physical health, if not more. If you do not have good mental health, that will affect your physical health. Of course, poor physical health might effect your mental health too.

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Well put!

I agree with the Gaffer. (I do that fairly regularly. )

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Heheh. Couldn't agree more. *munches another bar of chocolate*

Me too! *eats chocolate* *drinks beer*
Actually a little chocolate is good for you apparently.

Originally Posted by Eärniel

So everyone will eventually become 'unhealthy'?

Or maybe just dead. Is dead unhealthy?

Actually I don't think it is. I think as you age, you become physically weaker. However, this doesn't make you unhealthy. If you're weakened by age but are not subsequently the host of harmful organisms, then I think you are not unhealthy. You could then die in your sleep, but not have been unhealthy.

[Pytt]

What Gaffer said, I think is very important. and I think the definition of health varys.

I also think mental health is maybe more important. if you are stressed, and don't have it quite good, you are easier receptive for illness. if you think you are sick, like hypochondriac, you will also be unhealthier.

[The Gaffer]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Me too! *eats chocolate* *drinks beer*
Actually a little chocolate is good for you apparently.

Now that's the sort of thing that we need more evidence for.

Folks may be interested in a web site which has the top ten "evidence-based" (i.e. there is good quality research evidence that they're true, and not just some snake oil salesman's.. er.. I mean doctor's opinion) tips for a healthy life. They are (from
Bandolier

1) eat whole grain foods 4x per week (reduced risk of most cancers by 40%)
2) don't smoke (damn!)
3) eat 5 portions of fruit or veg per day (yes we all knew that already, no we don't do it) (protects against heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes)
4) eat Benecol instead of butter (reduces bad cholesterol, and no they weren't paid to say that)
5) drink alcohol regularly (WOO HOO!!!! *runs off to get pissed and fails to complete the list*)

[Embladyne]

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

5) drink alcohol regularly (WOO HOO!!!! *runs off to get pissed and fails to complete the list*)

Yeah, I read about the alchol in Science News a few years ago. I think they were mainly studying the effects of red wine, but what the hey.

Also, drinking enough water really does make a difference in your body's ability to take care of itself, and repair wounds or recover from illness more quickly.
I'm not saying you should drink 8 glasses a day, 'cause, frankly, it varies from person to person, but even carrying a water bottle around really makes it easier to remember.

[Elvengirl]

Originally Posted by Pytt

I also think mental health is maybe more important. if you are stressed, and don't have it quite good, you are easier receptive for illness. if you think you are sick, like hypochondriac, you will also be unhealthier.

I aree Those who are happy, uptone (more cheerful) and have a positive outlook are not easily susceptible to illness.

Proper nourishment is very important and one can't have good health if the body is malnourished. Having a balanced diet is important wtih lots of fresh fruits and veggies and of course water is key. Also smoking, blahh.. no good. Alchohol I've read has some healing qualities in small amounts, and chocolate is suppossed to be very healthy....too bad all the sugar and junk is added to it

Another vital role in health is exercise. One can eat the best food in the world and be uptone, but without exercise the body can not reach it's optmum health.

[Bilbo]

I was asked, by an annoying kid I call Sod Off, 'Are you healthy?'. The next five minutes of my life was wasted by me asking 'Physical or mental?', 'Am I ill?', 'Do I eat healthy?' and so on.
Games throw a light on health: most games have a health bar. When you get hurt, the bar goes down. Things that hurt you, especially in RPGs, include both physical things (e.g. bullets) and psychic things (like... psychic things). Eating rotten food poisons you, drinking clean water heals you.
By a gaming definition, health is you yourself. If you are unhealthy, something is wrong with you. Being in good health means no illnesses, fifty inch biceps, a perfect diet, denture-perfect teeth, no mental problems (including headaches), and no shortage of breath. Basically, nobody is in perfect health! ? You should be!

[Valandil]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Very interesting Eärniel. I remember having a similar discussion in Anthropology 101, and it was brought up that health is a social construct...

Those silly anthropologists seem to think EVERYTHING is a 'social construct'!!

[Nurvingiel]

Originally Posted by Valandil

Those silly anthropologists seem to think EVERYTHING is a 'social construct'!!

Everything in Anthropology.

Here's a good example though. 100 years ago, it was considered that women had the health problem of being prone to fainting or some such. Obviously that's not the case.

[Starr Polish]

Originally Posted by Pytt

What Gaffer said, I think is very important. and I think the definition of health varys.

I also think mental health is maybe more important. if you are stressed, and don't have it quite good, you are easier receptive for illness. if you think you are sick, like hypochondriac, you will also be unhealthier.

What is good for the mind is good for the body, and vice versa. People seem to forget that the brain (where mental health is generated) is also part of our physical body. Exercising increases endorphins and other good chemicals that make you feel better emotionally. There is a strong correlation between aerobic exercise and decreased depression symptoms and stress. This is actually one of the main reasons I've begun an exercise regiment again (that and to gain weight..I'm underweight and still losing! I need muscle mass), since I need to deal with some of my negative emotions in a healthy way.

Nurv, I believe it was called "the vapors." And it does make more sense that women would be more prone to fainting at certain times, anyway. I'm fairly sure that women are probably more prone to anemia. But I'm no doctor. Heh.

[Nurvingiel]

I've heard that too. I think I might be anemic, nah, maybe not. But I've never fainted in my life anyway. I'm so tough I can bend rebar with my eyelids.

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Here's a good example though. 100 years ago, it was considered that women had the health problem of being prone to fainting or some such. Obviously that's not the case.

Must have been those thight corset they were wearing...