Medicine

Medicine
Most kinds of medicine begin when you’re ill. Preventive medicine begins when you’re well. The idea is very simple. If you make your body strong and healthy, then you won’t become ill. There are three ways to do this. They are:
-  diet
-  relaxation
-  exercise
 
4.1 DIET
For many people, bad health begins with a bad diet. Some eat the wrong kind of food. Others eat too much or too little. It’s not surprising that people like this often become ill. On the other hand, people concerned about their health eat healthier food. They try to eat regularly, avoid eating chips, hamburgers, food in tins and packets. Instead, they try to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, brown bread, fish and white meat and reduce the amount of salt, fat, and sugar.

4.2 RELAXATION
Modern life is full of pressure and problems. Some people can control these. They sleep well, enjoy life, don’t worry very much and try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. They know how to relax and that relaxation helps the body to rest and repair itself. Others are the opposite. They sleep badly, don’t enjoy life and worry all the time. People like this are suffering from stress. Stress is a kind of illness itself and it can lead to many others.

4.3 EXERCISE
Exercise is very important for good health. Without it the body becomes slow and fat. It also becomes weak and less able to fight illness. Unfortunately, modern life makes it very easy to be lazy.
 
When we are ill, we usually see a doctor (GP – general practitioner). The doctor examines our body, asks about the symptoms and usually prescribes some medication, which is usually available on prescription in a pharmacy. In some cases we need to make an appointment with a specialist. When the illness is too serious to be treated at home, we are taken to hospital and sometimes even undergo surgery.
 
People who are employed pay their health insurance monthly. They do not need to pay for basic health care and basic medication. When they want extra care or special treatment, they have to pay the extra costs. Some people decide to go to a private health care establishment, usually for surgical interventions, delivery or dental care.
 
Everybody goes through various diseases during their childhood and adult life. Most of the diseases are not serious and do not take a long time to cure because we have efficient medication against them. Such diseases are flu, tuberculosis, or scarlet fever. However, there are diseases which we have problems to cure or cannot cure at all yet, such as cancer, AIDS or heart attacks.
 
A healthy lifestyle, prevention and personal responsibility for our health can help us avoid possible dangers. Many people care about their health, go to the doctor for check-ups, get eye exams done, weigh themselves regularly and see the dentist.
Medicine is any science or practice concerned with sickness and health.

4.4 TYPES OF MEDICINE:
-  classical/western/conventional medicine: offers treatment with painkillers, it fights against illness and disease with drugs and surgery (it is very important in accidents and emergencies)
-  traditional/complementary/alternative medicine (herbalism, acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, shiatsu): it looks at the whole person, not just the illness, this includes age, family background, eating habits, sleeping habits, regular exercise, job conditions, drinking, smoking
· acupuncture: uses needles to make a person´s energy to flow in a more balanced way
· homeopathy: uses natural plants and flowers, it is not concerned with the processes or causes of disease but with its symptoms
· osteopathy: is a system of movements which correct problems with the bones and muscles. Osteopaths push, pull and twist the body with their hands which puts all the bones or muscles in the right place.

Illnesses/Diseases/Symptoms:
-cold -heart attack
-sore throat    -black eye
-running nose    -toothache
-sneeze -stomachache
-cough  -AIDS
-influenza -allergy
-mumps  -upset stomach
-swollen glands   -off colour
-hay fever -fever
-diabetes -food poisoning
-headache -feel dizzy
-bruise    -backache