For centuries, “health” has meant the absence of disease. In 1946, the world health organization (who) adopted a fundamentally new definition. Health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease and infirmity” (who Constitution, 1946). Close to this is the definition given in the English medical dictionary (Butterworths medical dictionary, 1976): “Health is a normal physical condition, i.e. a state of integrity and freedom from physical and mental illness or disease.” Many researchers include in the characteristics of health the ability of the body to adapt to the ever – changing conditions of the environment-physical and social. The number of definitions of health is very large, but all lack the most important components of happiness and human health – sexual health, well-being, the ability to adapt (adaptation) and morality.
Taking as a basis the definition of who, we consider it necessary and justified to add three factors. Thus, health is a state of complete physical, mental, sexual, moral and social well-being and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the external and internal environment and the natural process of aging, as well as the absence of diseases and physical defects.
In this definition, there is the word “well-being”. What is it? The term comes from the old Slavic “good regiment” – a good, good fate. Well-being is a calm, happy state. And happiness is a feeling and a state of Supreme satisfaction. Well-being and happiness are impossible without health. It is very important to the attitude of men to life, optimism, installation on health and well-being.
Previously we wrote that in the hypothalamus produced enkephalins and endorphins – hormones of joy, which are involved in positive emotional reactions (joy, pleasure), regulation of behavior; they are natural analgesic factors, much more powerful than morphine (morphine – a synthetic drug that has analgesic effect like opium). An experienced doctor knows that men are optimists, whose life is subject to the principle of ” All is well!”live longer, recover faster, stay in a good emotional, physical and mental condition. Optimists are much easier to tolerate surgery, disease, pain than pessimists, recover faster and return to normal life. This drew attention during the Second world war, the English surgeon GK Becher. Modern research confirms these data.
Over the years of communication with patients, I have developed a number of criteria that allow to assess the presence or absence of a man’s attitude to health and well-being. At the first meeting I ask a banal question: “How is life?”About a quarter say,’ Great! “They have such an installation. About 20 % give the answer: “while alive…” and at the same time sadly sigh. About 20 % start complaining. There are no positive emotions in the stream of complaints. Approximately 10 % say: “Bad!”or “it could be worse!”These last three groups of men are devoid of welfare. I am very interested in the rest-about 25% of such patients. Their answer is encouraging: “not Bad, but I would like to do better.” Such men, if desired, with the help of an experienced doctor can take the installation on well-being. Setting on health and well-being implies, first of all, responsibility for yourself, for your family, for your home, the ability and desire to resist difficulties, to fight, to love.
Well-being is the joy and pleasure of every day lived. But you have to learn it, you have to work on it. Health and well-being give a person mental and physical strength for love, work, rest, allow to overcome difficulties. One of the most important features of a reasonable person, distinguishing him from all animals, is the freedom of choice. Choose health and well-being. This means: love, think, create, create an atmosphere of goodwill around you, love people – they will respond in the same way. Do not smoke, do not use drugs (even lungs!), eat right, be active: physically, mentally and sexually.
Pay attention! The health of each person depends on the person. Even the most qualified doctors, provided with modern equipment and medicines, can not give a person health, well-being and happiness. According to who, health status is 50% dependent on lifestyle, 20% – on heredity and only 10% – on the level of development of medicine and medical care.
With the development of biology and medicine, doctors are increasingly aware of diseases and are able to treat many of them. But, unfortunately, doctors know very little about health. As the American journalist Prentiss Melford wittily noted in the second half of the XIX century: “Doctors at best know something about diseases, but they do not understand health at all”. Moreover, many doctors do not use their knowledge in practice. For many years, I conducted an anonymous survey of 464 medical students and 111 doctors. Among the many questions were about the dangers of Smoking and physical inactivity. All answered correctly. But … 68% of students and 73% of doctors smoked.
In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, a man must know what it is. Knowledge generates motivation. On the other hand, knowledge does not guarantee performance. Almost everyone knows what a healthy lifestyle is, but, alas, few lead it. Especially men.
Again, the male is the weaker sex. Men as children. We often (and unjustifiably) feel sorry for ourselves, are lazy, “relax” (each in its own way). So take care of yourself, check yourself, put in front of a certain (but real!) purposes. Reward yourself, invent a reward for yourself – something that gives pleasure and joy. For example, for a week of regular sports activities, give yourself a good performance, a concert together with your beloved woman; for a few months of healthy life-an interesting trip; for refusing to aimlessly watch TV, buy yourself a couple of discs of your favorite music, etc.
Pay attention! As a reward, do not eat half a cake or pork chop.
Do not set yourself unrealistic tasks. If you are overweight, do not try to lose 10 kg quickly, it is harmful (see section. «Excess body weight. Who is to blame? What to do?”later in this Chapter). The nearest goal is to lose 1-2 kg. If you have not played sports for a long time, start gradually, do not strive for records. It is not easy to achieve good results. Do not strive to move forward. A wise Chinese proverb says: “Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Sometimes it is useful to step back: after two steps forward, you can take a step back. But – and this is very important! – be optimistic, don’t give up! Even a slight improvement in health is a reliable sign that you are on the right track.
Achieving the goal requires knowledge, time and perseverance. To change your way of life, you need to know what we’re facing. Unfortunately, most men don’t know or don’t want to know.
To clarify the awareness of the population about the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, I conducted a survey of more than 1,200 people, dividing them into three groups: medical students of 1-2 courses, students of non-medical faculties and patients of the center for men’s health (table. 2.1). The results suggest that people are poorly aware of the dangers that lie in wait, and often do not know and do not think about it.
The only way leading to the health and happiness of every person, nation, humanity is to change the attitude of a person to his body and health. Therefore, you need to know your body, want to be healthy and make an effort. In other words, a person should make a choice: health or illness, he should have a clear motivation for health, because only a healthy person can achieve the highest level in the hierarchy of needs – self-realization.