The Limits of Prevention

Sometimes you may be suffering from an illness that was caused by something you did early in life, perhaps even at a time when the effects of that action were not well understood. It is important to avoid “victim blaming” or, in this instance, “blaming yourself.” The past is past and you will never know for sure that was the cause of a current problem.

The important goal is that you work for the future. Work for primary prevention of diseases before they appear. Work for early detection and treatment of illnesses that are already there. If you already have one or more substantial medical problems, you specially need to work actively to prevent additional problems in other areas.

Finally, there are number of major illnesses for which there is no known primary prevention. Some of these are listed below:

* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Ulcerative colitis
* Systematic lupus erythematosus
* Crohn’s disease
* Multiple Sclerosis
* Parkinson’s disease
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Polymyalgia rheumatica

Some of these eventually may turn out to be infectious diseases or the aftermath of infections. Some may be the result of toxic exposures of as yet unknown type. In some, there are hints that risk factors may exist; for example, one study found increased cigarette-smoking rates in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Even with these problems, there is a great deal that you can do to minimize the problem.

Improvement of risk factors at any age improves the quality of life. And it does so at essentially no cost (with the exception of medications required to treat high blood pressure). A good diet is of equal or lesser expense than a bad one. Junk food is also expensive. Exercise is one of the least expensive uses of your time. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are costly habits. A thin individual has lower food costs than if he or she were obese. Seat belts undoubtedly cost some money, but they are now required by law and are already in most cars.

The major goal of prevention is improvement of quality of your life in all areas, from vigor and vitality to economic viability. The quality and pleasure of our life can be materially improved by your careful attention to these few critically important factors.