CHECK OST#2

Prevention
ENGLISH
WHO RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to help make the right personal
decision about prevention, the WHO (World
Health Organization) has defined these
criteria:
• One should only screen for diseases with
serious consequences so that the people
who take part in the screening can have a
clear health benefit from it.
• There must be a sufficiently reliable examination
method for early detection that
is not itself harmful.
• There needs to be effective treatment for
the disease that is identified early – and
it needs to be proven that this treatment
is more effective when used early before
symptoms appear.
People should be informed neutrally so that
they can personally consider whether they
want to take part in the screening examination
or not.
(Source: cancer information service)
AND WHAT CAN I DO FOR MYSELF?
Although we all know the general rules to
healthy living, in the end we are only human
and can never perfectly ascribe to them.
Nevertheless, it is still helpful to have a little
reminder of healthy practices. Namely, that
smoking, alcohol, fast food, and sugary foods
are unhealthy in the long run. Evening walks
or exercise are better than sitting on the
couch and watching a series. Small changes
in diet and leisure activities can have a big
impact if you want to stay healthy and flexible
for longer.
With a balanced diet, our body receives the
minerals and vitamins it needs, and it is only
useful to give dietary supplements in certain
situations or during illnesses. Long-term use
can even lead to undesirable side effects
or interactions with other drugs. Therefore,
it is best if dietary supplements are always
taken in consultation with a doctor or after
consulting a pharmacy.
A MAP FOR THE PREVENTION JUNGLE
With so much talk about prevention, it's easy
to lose track. These questions should serve as
a guide in the personal pension jungle:
• Does this disease even occur in my age
group?
• Are there any long-term health benefits
from discovering the disease earlier?
• How often do incorrect test results occur?
• How often is an illness overlooked because
one supposedly feels safe?
You should definitely stay – or become – active.
I always think: if I want to play an instrument,
then I have to learn the notes and practice scales
regularly, even if it's annoying. Occasionally
new strings have to be wound up and the instrument
has to be tuned, cleaned, and polished.
Regardless of whether we want to have our
body under control, whether we want to stay
healthy and attractive or feel good despite an
illness: we have to work on it too. (mm,ts,mb)
Basically: If you notice changes in your
body or any new complaints or pains,
you have to take them seriously and
have them clarified by a doctor.
With the kind support of
Witzleben pharmacies in Berlin
Kaiserdamm 24 + 26, 14057 Berlin
www.witzleben-apotheke.de
Author:
Michaela Medrow
Pharmaceutical
representative
and beautician
20 CHECK OST #2