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Sometimes the Least Flashy Advice is Also the Most Important

It's easy when talking about health to lean towards flashy topics like the latest fad diet or some ‘new' exercise routine. Yet the majority of the threats to your health have very little to do with getting on the magazine of a cover. Dr. Troy Madsen has identified the top five bits of advice he suggests everyone take to heart to avoid the potentially life-threatening consequences that can impact your health.

1. "Wear your seatbelt." "Wear a helmet." "Get a spotter when using a ladder."
   We hear these phrases so often it's easy to ignore them, but injury from trauma is one of the biggest threats to your health, especially for men. Even if the injury is non-fatal, it could cause long term consequences to your physical ability and health that may be permanent. Heed common sense practices to prevent severe trauma.

    

2. "Talk to Someone" about Your Mental ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.
   Low-level anxiety, work-related stress, and even minor depression are all emotions we feel relatively regularly. It's easy to just "deal with it" or "tough out" these feelings. However, these feelings could all be symptoms of something more serious or a growing condition. It's important to seek help for your mental health before it develops into a crisis.

    

3. "Drink in Moderation."
   Alcohol is involved in so many of the health emergencies Dr. Madsen sees in the ER. Whether it be people making bad decisions after a few drinks, flat-out alcohol poisoning, or driving while drunk, too much alcohol can lead to immediate threats to your health.

    

   Additionally, long term over-use of alcohol can lead to severe chronic - and often permanent - damage to your health. These conditions include liver disease, heart disease, and kidney disease. Some of these conditions can be so severe that they require organ transplants.

   There are many immediate and long-term health problems related to overusing alcohol, so drink in moderation to prevent bad decisions now and potential problems 20 years down the road.

4. "Eat Your Vegetables."
   A healthy diet and good nutrition are more than just for weight-loss. A proper diet keeps your body strong and capable as you age. Dr. Madsen sees a lot of patients in their 50s and 60s dealing with problems related to poor diet. Premature aging, heart disease, obesity, and other health problems can form over time with a bad diet.

    

5. "Go to the Doctor."
   A lot of health conditions can be prevented and treated with proper screening and professional intervention. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not using the healthcare resources they have available through their insurance. On top of basic preventative care, most insurance plans include services like health screenings, mental health assistance, and even fitness benefits. Dr. Madsen highly recommends checking out what services are available to you and really taking the time and effott to utilize them. It's worth the investment.

    

If you can address the more mundane, cliche, boring stuff now, then you can keep your health boring for the long term. It's best to avoid anything "too exciting" like a heart attack or stroke, so do the boring things and keep your health static.

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