Dr. Nadya's Tip of the Month:

It is not always clear what makes a patient recover from injury or illness. Multiple factors affect healing including medications, amount of rest, amount of activity or exercise, procedural intervention, nutrition, prayer, genetics, and, most importantly attitude. The most unfortunate event, cancer, diagnosed in one of the loveliest people I know, is further evidence of the power of a healthy attitude. After understanding her diagnosis and treatment plan, she decided that rather than wallow in self-pity, she would focus on the positive, see it as a challenge, and envision how she can help other people with it. Her blog and her attitude is cheerful and defiant, and she has been treated and recovered faster than anyone with her critical cancer diagnosis.
The truth is, while great minds and million dollar fortunes have been invested in medical cures, there are many diseases and medical processes beyond the comprehension of scientists. Recovery from infections, painful events, nerve regeneration, stroke recovery and heart disease is not predictable, and in fact can vary greatly between patients with similar statistics and medical data. The common denominator to recovery is not only excellent health care, but also the desire to recover. The positive attitude to move beyond the illness, pain or disability and continue to function at work and in life during treatment is paramount to full recovery. Attitude reflects vitality.
Human bodies are not machines, nor computers. They are totally unpredictable, often incomprehensible, mind-controlled entities. No one knows why 2 people can have the exact same size disc herniation and one person barely flinches from the pain while the other is completely disabled. No one understands why 2 diabetic patients respond entirely differently to medications. But 99 per cent of doctors will recognize that the patients with the least symptoms and those who respond most quickly to treatment have a healthy attitude.
To clarify, I will describe what I believe is a healthy attitude based on my observations of successful patients:
1. Get the best care you can. Seek the best doctors, follow their advice, and become a pleasant, involved but not-too-controlling patient.
2. Never say never. Be open to alternative options if they make sense to you and your health care provider. Treatments that have no risk factors such as acupuncture, energy work and prayer all can have dramatic results.
3. Be your own agent. If you feel you are not being heard, speak up louder or find a different health care provider who does listen to you.
4. Listen to your body. So often patients with serious illnesses will say they "knew something was not right." If you really feel that way, explore what testing needs to be done to dismiss or confirm that.
5. Always see the positives. To quote the most positive cancer patient on earth: "thank goodness for cancer so I could get all those health care tax deductions!"
6. Surround yourself with positivity. Choose up-beat health care providers, friends, and support networks. Distance yourself from negative energy people, especially if you are going through your own health crisis.
7. Treat your body like a temple. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy, exercise moderately and take a multivitamin daily. Prioritize 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly. See your doctor for yearly check-ups and follow her recommendations for screening tests.
8. Manage stress the best you can; force yourself to take mental breaks and do at least one activity you enjoy daily.
9. Forgive yourself. If you are trying to make healthy changes but fall off the wagon, do not beat yourself up over it. Instead recognize your mistake, try not to do it again, and move on.
10. Develop a support system. Consider support groups or internet sites. Be open to people who want to help, have similar experiences, and are there for you. Let them help you, listen to you, encourage you. You don't need an army; one understanding person is all you need.
11. Roll with the punches. Recovery is never a straight uphill path. There are side effects, periods of illness and periods of failure. Hang in there and focus on the overall recovery process.
Developing a healthy attitude involves several steps. Try to achieve as many as you can. Value health as your greatest resource; remember that we can buy food, clothes, homes and vacations, but we cannot buy health. Be grateful for the health that you have, look forward to your future, and treasure those who love and support you. The greatest asset you have for your health is a healthy attitude. It will help you recover from illness and injury faster, prevent diseases from becoming worse, and can even save your life.