Photo: Simon Berger

Which of the following best defines good health?

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

medicalnewstoday.com - What is health?: Defining and preserving good health

How do I activate my SPOT?

To activate your new SPOT device, please visit www.findmespot.com and select ACTIVATE YOUR SPOT. On the activation page you will have the option to...

Last updated Sep 30, 2022

How much turmeric do I need to consume daily to benefit from it?

Research suggests 500–2,000 mg of turmeric per day may have potential benefits, particularly in extract form. The exact dose may depend on the...

Last updated Jun 15, 2021

Promotion

The word health refers to a state of complete emotional and physical well-being. Healthcare exists to help people maintain this optimal state of health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare costs in the United States were $3.5 trillion in 2017. However, despite this expenditure, people in the U.S. have a lower life expectancy than people in other developed countries. This is due to a variety of factors, including access to healthcare and lifestyle choices. Good health is central to handling stress and living a longer, more active life. In this article, we explain the meaning of good health, the types of health a person needs to consider, and how to preserve good health. What is health? Share on Pinterest Regular exercise contributes to good health. In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health with a phrase that modern authorities still apply. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In 1986, the WHO made further clarifications: “A resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.” This means that health is a resource to support an individual’s function in wider society, rather than an end in itself. A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose. In 2009, researchers publishing in The Lancet defined health as the ability of a body to adapt to new threats and infirmities. They base this definition on the idea that the past few decades have seen modern science take significant strides in the awareness of diseases by understanding how they work, discovering new ways to slow or stop them, and acknowledging that an absence of pathology may not be possible. Types Mental and physical health are probably the two most frequently discussed types of health. Spiritual, emotional, and financial health also contribute to overall health. Medical experts have linked these to lower stress levels and improved mental and physical well-being. People with better financial health, for example, may worry less about finances and have the means to buy fresh food more regularly. Those with good spiritual health may feel a sense of calm and purpose that fuels good mental health. Health inequities affect all of us differently. Visit our dedicated hub for an in-depth look at social disparities in health and what we can do to correct them. Physical health A person who has good physical health is likely to have bodily functions and processes working at their peak. This is not only due not only to an absence of disease. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest all contribute to good health. People receive medical treatment to maintain the balance, when necessary. Physical well-being involves pursuing a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease. Maintaining physical fitness, for example, can protect and develop the endurance of a person’s breathing and heart function, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition. Looking after physical health and well-being also involves reducing the risk of an injury or health issue, such as: minimizing hazards in the workplace

using contraception when having sex

Is magnesium a DHT blocker?

Reduces DHT Levels Magnesium inhibits 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. This action helps to prevent...

Last updated Oct 7, 2019

What happens if you take zinc and you don't need it?

Yes, too much zinc can be harmful. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If...

Last updated May 11, 2018

Promotion

practicing effective hygiene

avoiding the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs

taking the recommended vaccines for a specific condition or country when traveling Good physical health can work in tandem with mental health to improve a person’s overall quality of life. For example, mental illness, such as depression, may increase the risk of drug use disorders, according to a 2008 study . This can go on to adversely affect physical health. Mental health According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, mental health refers to a person’s emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Mental health is as important as physical health as part of a full, active lifestyle. It is harder to define mental health than physical health because many psychological diagnoses depend on an individual’s perception of their experience. With improvements in testing, however, doctors are now able to identify some physical signs of some types of mental illness in CT scans and genetic tests. Good mental health is not only categorized by the absence of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. It also depends on a person’s ability to: enjoy life

bounce back after difficult experiences and adapt to adversity

balance different elements of life, such as family and finances

feel safe and secure

achieve their full potential Physical and mental health have strong connections. For example, if a chronic illness affects a person’s ability to complete their regular tasks, it may lead to depression and stress. These feelings could be due to financial problems or mobility issues. A mental illness, such as depression or anorexia, can affect body weight and overall function. It is important to approach “health” as a whole, rather than as a series of separate factors. All types of health are linked, and people should aim for overall well-being and balance as the keys to good health. Find out how mental health can affect physical health here. Factors for good health Good health depends on a wide range of factors. Genetic factors A person is born with a variety of genes. In some people, an unusual genetic pattern or change can lead to a less-than-optimum level of health. People may inherit genes from their parents that increase their risk for certain health conditions. Environmental factors Environmental factors play a role in health. Sometimes, the environment alone is enough to impact health. Other times, an environmental trigger can cause illness in a person who has an increased genetic risk of a particular disease. Access to healthcare plays a role, but the WHO suggest that the following factors may have a more significant impact on health than this: where a person lives

the state of the surrounding environment

genetics

their income

their level of education

employment status It is possible to categorize these as follows: The social and economic environment : This may include the financial status of a family or community, as well as the social culture and quality of relationships. : This may include the financial status of a family or community, as well as the social culture and quality of relationships. The physical environment : This includes which germs exist in an area, as well as pollution levels.

How do I know if he cares about me?

When a guy cares about you, he will try to make you feel nice. One of the ways to do so is to offer you compliments and try to bring a smile to...

Last updated Aug 31, 2018

What are the symptoms of an inflamed prostate?

Symptoms Pain or burning sensation when urinating (dysuria) Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination. Frequent urination,...

Last updated Jan 3, 2019

Promotion

: This includes which germs exist in an area, as well as pollution levels. A person’s characteristics and behaviors: A person’s genetic makeup and lifestyle choices can affect their overall health. According to some studies, the higher a person’s socioeconomic status (SES), the more likely they are to enjoy good health, have a good education, get a well-paid job, and afford good healthcare in times of illness or injury. They also maintain that people with low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience stress due to daily living, such as financial difficulties, marital disruption, and unemployment. Social factors may also impact on the risk of poor health for people with lower SES, such as marginalization and discrimination. A low SES often means reduced access to healthcare. A 2018 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology indicated that people in developed countries with universal healthcare services have longer life expectancies than those in developed countries without universal healthcare. Cultural issues can affect health. The traditions and customs of a society and a family’s response to them can have a good or bad impact on health. According to the Seven Countries Study, researchers studied people in select European countries and found that those who ate a healthful diet had a lower 20-year death rate. The study indicated that people who ate a healthful diet are more likely to consume high levels of fruits, vegetables, and olives than people who regularly consume fast food. The study also found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet had a lower 10-year all-cause mortality rate. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , this diet can help protect a person’s heart and reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, and diseases that cause the brain and nerves to break down. How a person manages stress will also affect their health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health , people who smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, or take illicit drugs to manage stressful situations are more likely to develop health problems than those who manage stress through a healthful diet, relaxation techniques, and exercise.

medicalnewstoday.com - What is health?: Defining and preserving good health

How do you check DHT in your body?

A DHT test requires a blood drawn from the arm. Once you've placed your order on our website, bring your test requisition form to a laboratory that...

Last updated Sep 10, 2020