I was thinking about…

Not Letting Health Issues Fester

By Andy Lee

You ever notice how humans practically treat illness like a rude houseguest – something to be endured briefly but never overstaying its welcome? We’ll tolerate feeling under the weather for a modest spell hoping symptoms simply run their course. But the second that cold lingers past a socially acceptable window, audible groans of impatience emerge.

“Uggghhhh still feeling crummy? It’s been like two weeks already!”

That minor annoyance carelessly shrugged off suddenly feels like a squatter flaunting eviction notices once discomfort threatens sticking around long-term. Perhaps this nonchalant complacency surrounding health’s fragility stems from overly simplistic “mind over matter” messaging we absorbed young.

“Just walk it off, champ – no sense crying over a couple sniffles!”

Well-intentioned as that bravado stance aimed, inadvertently it conditioned ignoring inner distress signals rather than treating them with the seriousness they deserve. Because spoiler alert: human bodies don’t enjoy being taken for granted or their issues invalidated until crisis points loom.

Left unexamined, seemingly minor issues tend not to resolve themselves but actually fester into far more complicated diagnoses down the road. Next thing you know, a delay of weeks/months transformed a routine scope or round of antibiotics into invasive treatments nobody aspires experiencing out of stubbornness.

These examples underscore a broader cultural phenomenon I still can’t quite wrap my head around – society’s flippant glossing over physical discomfort out of some perverse sense of toughness. A strange paradox where recklessly risking long-term wellness qualifies as strength.

Let’s consider for a moment how absurd we’d find it applying that same avoidance mindset accompanying mechanical issues in our cars, homes, workplaces. An ominous rumbling noise starting under the hood surely wouldn’t go ignored until the whole engine grenaded, right? If the air conditioning sputtered out mid-July, you’re not gonna just start melting and say “Oh well, weathering this heatwave into September shows real perseverance!”

No, our possessions exhibiting potential problems get proactively triaged and responsibilities prioritized. So why the heck don’t we extend our irreplaceable human bodies equal attentiveness and care? What’s up with rationalizing complacency towards deteriorating conditions fueled solely by obstinate toughness posturing?

I get it – scheduling doctors appointments feels like an antiquated hassle compared to everything else made instantaneously accessible by modern conveniences. We’re conditioned for immediate gratification. Plus nobody enjoys the vulnerabilities surrounding complex health issues or family histories. Far easier burying heads ostrich-style so nothing gets confronted until absolutely unavoidable.

But here’s the reality: whatever’s bugging your body won’t magically resolve itself via wishful thinking. In fact, ignoring symptoms virtually guarantees compounding complications long-term with conditions inevitably worsening when not brought under control rapidly. Sucking it up comes at the exponentially steep cost of protracted recoveries alongside skyrocketing medical bills.

On the other hand, quickly seeking professional evaluation followed by whatever treatments or lifestyle adjustments get recommended – while temporarily inconvenient – empowers getting ahead of issues before they morph unmanageable. Look, we all hate waiting rooms and rigamarole of the healthcare hustle. But trust me, it beats scrambling from square one against a disease or disorder that shoulda been curbed 6 months prior.

So rather than subscribing to unhealthy tough guy/gal ideals about enduring whatever physical ailments indefinitely, let’s reframe priorities around the raw empowerment protecting your greatest asset – your body and long-term wellbeing.

Stay vigilant, seek care promptly! It might feel vulnerable surrendering to realities beneath the hood. But ain’t nothing tougher than respecting your human limits enough to rally all resources defending wellness while issues remain manageable.

With all that being said, I myself have a bad knee that has been in dire need of examination for a couple of years now. Writing this piece makes me think I should take my own advice and make that appointment now.

Stay ahead of the curve, keep your engine humming! 💪🩺