"Remember, you know your body better than anyone else," emphasized my acupuncturist during our recent conversation about my flare with gallstones. While placing the tiny needles into my stomach with precision, he added that many patients quickly consent to surgery without asking essential questions. I agree and it’s clear to me that we don't ask questions because we don't know our body or understand its functions.
I respect my primary care doctor's expertise and I admire his compassion for his patients, which means we talk. I don't always agree with his treatment plan, but that's ok since I understand that he practices in a "sick care" system where he has to follow protocol if he wants to keep his job. Therefore, we agree to disagree, and I look for alternative forms of treatment that will keep me well.
Too often, there's minimal communication between patients and providers. The provider dominates the 10-15-minute conversation, if it lasts that long, while the patient merely nods along, pretending to be listening. But it's not true engagement because y the time the patient gets home, they can't recall what was said.
For example, I wonder how many men truly understand the implications of having their prostate gland surgically removed. Do they know its function or where the gland is located in their bodies? Similarly, do women fully comprehend the difference between a total and partial hysterectomy when faced with this decision by their gynecologist?
Results from a recent survey of 2,000 Americans by One Poll, a national company that conducts online custom research on various topics, revealed concerning gaps in knowledge about the human body. Two-thirds of the participants couldn't correctly identify the average body temperature as 98.6 Fahrenheit. The majority (73%) did not understand specific vital organs' functions. Although nearly 7 in 10 (69%) knew the location of their small intestine, only 44% could accurately describe its function. Similarly, 65% identified their large intestine, but only 29% knew its purpose.
But I don't need stats from a poll to convince me of how little we know about our bodies. After working in healthcare for four decades, I've seen it firsthand; not to mention what I see among family, friends, and social contacts. Regardless of the level of education, if asked, most people can't identify the major contributor to the body's detox system. If presented with pictures of a liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, chances are good that they couldn't label them correctly or explain their functions. (And by the way, the liver is the major contributor to the body's detox system).
So, think about it. Do we truly know our bodies better than anyone else? The answer is no. Do we understand how our bodies operate? Again, the answer is no. Do we appreciate our bodies enough to learn about them? Only time will tell, which leads to another interesting fact: Sixty years ago, we could only find information about our bodies in textbooks, research papers, or encyclopedias. However, now that information is at our fingertips, and we are yet to take full advantage of it.
In some cases, surgery may the best option, however it's essential to know and understand your body better than anyone else. It's essential to be part of the conversation with your healthcare provider. And it's essential to empower yourself with knowledge and lead the conversation surrounding your plan of care in order to experience what it means to "Be Well."
If you are truly grateful for your body, learn more about it. Need help, contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com
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