Health, be it physical, mental, or emotional health, is essential to an individual’s well-being. According to WHO, health is a fundamental right that no one should be deprived of, despite their status. However, despite the universally accepted importance of health – and the vast strides humanity has made in the sector – there are still some very controversial topics on health.
Most controversies in health are brought about due to different views about fundamental issues. In other cases, disagreement exists because the topics are considered taboo. However, we shouldn’t ignore these issues because people don’t see eye to eye. Instead, we should even debate them further, ensuring that everyone is well-informed to make their own decisions about them. This article will look at some of the top controversial topics in healthy people’s minds.
Healthy people think about a lot of health issues that can be controversial. These include weight, diet and nutrition, care for the elderly, sexual health, etc. Below is a deeper look at some of these issues and possible options for anyone seeking a way forward.
Ways to Manage Weight
Weight management is one of the most controversial topics on health today. While it is generally accepted that healthy weight is vital for overall health, so much conflicting information exists about weight management.
For example, there are so many weight-loss diets today that are touted to be effective. Unfortunately, some are fads that either don’t work or offer minimal results. Likewise, several weight-loss diet pills are sold on the market, claiming to be the miracle cure. However, most don’t work, and some weight-loss drugs can even be downright dangerous.
Which is the way forward when you are looking to lose or manage your weight? Well, the most generally accepted strategies are exercise and diet. Exercise is very straightforward – a lot of evidence shows how physical activity can lead to weight loss and improved health. However, when it comes to dieting, the trick is to find what works best for you. Ultimately, you want to be on a healthy diet and eat healthily – no overeating or undereating.
Besides diet and exercise, weight-loss surgical procedures such as body contouring treatment are another excellent option. Body contouring is controversial, and it is not without risks. However, it can help eliminate excess fat and skin and reshape the body. Therefore, it can offer numerous physical and emotional health benefits, making it an excellent weight management solution.
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
Dental health might not seem like it, but it is one of the most controversial
topics on health. According to CDC, dental cavities affect about 52% of children, 57% of teenagers, and about 90% of adults. However, besides cavities, there are several other dental health issues, such as gum disease and tooth loss. In addition, some dental problems can also develop into various health problems, for example, oral cancer.
While dental health issues are common, they can be easily prevented or mitigated with proper oral hygiene. However, despite much advice from dental health professionals, most people ignore their oral health – hence the controversy. The reasons for this are many, from the high dental health costs to a busy schedule, anxiety about dental procedures, and more.
So, what’s the way forward? The only solution to keeping your mouth healthy is practicing proper oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth and flossing regularly. You should also avoid or limit the intake of unhealthy items such as sugary foods and drinks, which can encourage the growth of oral bacteria.
Finally, you should visit a dentist regularly. Your visits should include routine checkups, which can help to identify oral health issues at their onset. You should also see a dentist immediately if you have a dental health problem for appropriate treatments. These include gum disease treatment, dental fillings, root canal treatment, tooth extraction, orthodontic treatment, and more.
Keeping Your Spine Pain-Free
Spinal pain, or back pain, is another one of the most controversial topics on health in the world. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, up to 85% of people globally experience back pain in their lifetime. Yet, despite the widespread prevalence of the issue, there is a lot of disagreement on the best treatment options for back pain.
Modern medicine recommends medication, including painkillers and muscle relaxants, to keep your spine pain-free. Surgery is also another back pain treatment option offered by modern medicine. There are also at-home and natural remedies such as exercising, rest, and hot and cold compress.
Another option for treating back pain is alternative medicine, which is where most of the controversy exists. Some of the top alternative therapies include massage, acupuncture, yoga, physical therapy, and chiropractic adjustments. And while some people disagree about some of these remedies, visiting your local chiropractic therapy clinic or seeing a physical therapist can help to manage your back pain.
Helping Your Pet Live a Long, Happy Life
Controversial topics on health are not limited to human health only – there are also many controversies regarding animal health. Ordinarily, you would expect everyone to love and care for pets. However, some people don’t love pets, and some even go to the extent of being mean and cruel to them.
Unfortunately, even amongst pet lovers, there is so much controversy on the best way to care for pets. People have differing opinions on many pet care issues, such as diet, exercise, vaccination, weight, dental care, etc.
So, how can you care for your pet and give them a long and happy life? Well, several pet care tips can help you improve the quality of life of your pets. The first one is to give them attention – pets, like humans, are social and crave attention. You should also allow them to socialize with other animals, people, and nature – through outdoor walks and playtime.
A proper diet is another meaningful way of caring for your pets. With most pets, you can find store-bought food that you can purchase. You can also create a custom diet for your pet using your ingredients – but only with the consultation of your vet.
On top of diet, you should also take care of your pet’s health. This means taking them to a pet hospital regularly, either for a routine checkup or if there is a medical issue with your companion. Lastly, you should read and gather as much knowledge about your pet as possible. The more you know about them, the better care you can give.
The Efficiency of Medical Technology
According to a journal published by the National Library of Medicine, technology has significantly impacted the improvement of the healthcare industry. Thanks to medical technology, lifesaving solutions such as antibiotics, MRIs, X-rays, radiotherapy, and others have been adopted. And yet, medical technology is still one of the most controversial topics on health.
The medical field is full of promising technologies, such as gene therapy, tissue regeneration, rehabilitation and assisted living devices, gene mapping, and more. However, there is much debate about how effective these technologies are. In other cases, people feel that technology in the medical sector is moving too fast, and people are starting to play god.
So, what is the way forward with medical technology? While it is normal to be concerned, technology is an integral part of medicine. Technological inventions can lead to more life-changing solutions, which can revolutionize medicine. However, scientists and researchers must also consider human factors medical devices and technological innovations. This will help to ensure that any new devices and technologies are human-centered, thus reducing potential risks and hazards to patients.
The Importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health
Sexual and reproductive health is perhaps one of the most controversial topics on health. For many people – especially individuals with conservative or strong religious views – sex is taboo, and thus discussions about it are not welcome.
Sexual and reproductive health issues are also prone to attracting controversy when they wade into contentious areas such as abortion, contraceptives, and sexuality. In some cases, parents and community members oppose sexual health, claiming it is inappropriate or encourages promiscuity. Additionally, some people might develop feelings of shame, guilt, and being judged when discussing their sexual health.
However, sexual and reproductive health is critical to the healthcare industry. It can help tackle several issues affecting society today. For example, proper sexual and reproductive health can promote safe sexual practices, preventing early pregnancies and reducing STD transmission. Open and mature conversations about sexual health can also help to reduce and prevent the stigma about issues related to sexual health.
How to Manage a Prescription
Prescription medication management is another one of the top controversial topics on health. Generally, prescription medication offers several benefits, such as pain management, curing infections, and helping contain conditions such as blood pressure. However, it is also a double-edged sword that can negatively impact society, making it very controversial.
One of the major contentious issues with prescription medication is the addiction to prescription pain medication, such as opioids. According to CDC, opioid overdose deaths have increased steadily over the last two decades, claiming many lives. One of the leading root causes of this opioid crisis is prescription opioids due to their high tendency to cause drug dependence.
Besides opioid addiction, another controversial issue with prescription medication is inappropriate prescribing. In several cases, patients have been prescribed medication that doesn’t work.
In other cases, patients are given prescriptions for drugs they don’t require, such as stimulants and anti-depressants.
So, what is the way forward when managing prescription medication? Several studies have shown the need for a culture change regarding prescription medication to improve patient safety. This means physicians should only prescribe medically necessary drugs with minimal patient risks. For example, pain management doctors can prescribe alternatives such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which carry little to no chance of addiction.
What to Prioritize With Your Doctor
Doctors visit are one of the top controversial topics on health. While it is generally accepted that routine checkup visits are beneficial, many people don’t bother with them. Some people feel there is no need to go to a hospital if they are not sick.
Additionally, some individuals might refuse to visit the hospital when sick due to their religious or personal beliefs or because they feel their condition is not too bad. On the other hand, some people think routine medical visits are unnecessary and a waste of money.
So, what is the best practice regarding doctor’s visits? While there have been cases of doctors performing unnecessary tests and procedures, routine checkups are still vital. By visiting your doctor regularly, you can closely watch your health and detect any anomalies early enough, allowing timely treatment.
But what visits should you prioritize for your routine checkups? First, regular dentist and eye doctor visits are vital, as many people often develop dental and eyesight issues. Other visits include seeing your family doctor for a physical exam, blood pressure monitoring, and preventive physical health screening.
Cancer screenings are also essential and can be lifesaving as they help with the early detection of cancer when it is most likely to respond to treatment. Lastly, when visiting your doctor, you should also remember to get all the required immunizations, as they can save your life by protecting you from severe health conditions.
Every individual has the right to receive optimal health for their physical, mental, and emotional needs. However, there are several controversial topics on health that many people have a hard time discussing, even though they often think about them. The above are some of the top topics and the various contentions that exist about healthcare. However, discussing these issues can help promote more awareness about a person’s health, improving healthcare.
But it’s not just issues of human health that healthy people think about. Animal and pet health issues are just as important, and serious controversies exist. However, being more aware of these issues can help improve the care level for animals and pets.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.