Are Your Past Behaviors Affecting Your Health?

Book links are usually affiliate links. This means I earn a small percentage when you click through and buy the book. This costs you nothing extra - it simply allows me to keep my cats in the lifestyle they're accustomed to.

When it comes to health and wellness, the choices we make today are extremely important. From starting an exercise regimen to eating healthier foods, making the effort to improve health and quality of life is both noble and critical. However, our past behaviors and lifestyle choices are significant, as well. Keep reading to discover how your past is affecting your present and future health.

Smoking Cigarettes

With risks that include the development of lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and a host of other illnesses, smoking is a bad habit with life-threatening effects. What’s more, the longer you smoke, the greater risk. And while these complications can be devastating, quitting now will significantly reduce risks to physical health. If you have trouble quitting, talk to a doctor about medications and other therapies that may help. If you have not heard about those portable vaping devices (like the ones at www.DaVinciVaporizer.com) yet, you should give it a try. Many say that it is a very good way to take baby steps on quitting smoking until you finally kick out the habit. Give it a try!

Substance Abuse

The effects of heavy drug use can be both immediate and delayed. The use of illicit substances can result in complications like overdose and reckless behaviors, as well as long-term effects like organ damage and the transmission of infectious disease. For example, individuals who used addictive substances for long periods of time are more likely to experience complications like cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, heart disease and even certain types of cancer. If you have a history with drug or alcohol abuse, talk to your doctor about the ways it may be affecting your health.

Work History

You work history can play a very important role in your health, both now and in the future. In fact, due to unsafe working conditions, exposure to harmful substances and other factors, some occupations can be extremely hazardous and, in some cases, life-threatening. For example, jobs that involve exposure to asbestos are often linked with the development of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. Common questions surrounding mesothelioma and asbestos include the following:

• Who is at risk? Individuals who have worked in construction, shipbuilding, the automotive industry, the military and firefighting may have been exposed to asbestos. What’s more, since asbestos is easily transferred and inhaled, the family members and loved ones of these individuals are at risk, as well.
• What are the symptoms? Coughing, shortness of breath, pain and swelling in the chest or abdomen, and unexplained weight loss are common symptoms of mesothelioma.
• How is it treated? Like other cancers, mesothelioma is typically addressed through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
• Who is at fault? In cases of workplace exposure, employers can be held accountable for the development of mesothelioma among employers. When this happens, employers can be sued for damages, including the cost of medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
• I was exposed to asbestos; what should I do? If you were exposed to asbestos at any point in your past, ask your doctor about tests that diagnose mesothelioma and other diseases. Early detection is imperative, so even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, making an appointment as soon as possible is highly recommended.

Inactive Lifestyles

Sedentary lifestyles can lead to lifelong complications to health and wellness. Illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity often occur as a result of long-term inactivity. The good news is, that while some complications may need to be addressed with medications and other therapies, getting active now can significantly enhance health and quality of life. To treat and prevent the effects of an inactive lifestyle, speak to a doctor today to find out how regular exercise can help.

If your past behaviors and lifestyle choices are affecting your health, remember that hope is not lost. By taking the proper steps toward a healthier lifestyle, you can repair some of the damage, and prevent future complications to health and wellness.