The Different Concepts Related to Good Health
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a condition of “complete physical, mental and social development and not just the absence of illness and disease.” In general, health is perceived as being equal to well-being. Various definitions have been used over the years for varying purposes. Some consider health the state or quality of life that one experiences and some consider it to be the state of total health. It can be viewed from many perspectives. However, when a health problem occurs, it is always taken seriously as a medical emergency.
There are three major components of good health: physical, social and emotional health. Some of the more common diseases that affect older adults include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, hypertension, and diabetes. In fact, there are now many diseases related to aging, some of which can be fatal. Many of these diseases affect older adults specifically because they cannot live in an environment that is free of germs and infectious diseases. Because of this, older adults suffer the consequences of these diseases in the form of painful ailments and disability.
The third definition of good health, as used by the WHO, is a condition that can be maintained through proper nutrition, regular exercise and social protection. This definition implies that the person is capable of managing his own health, but does not require the assistance of others. This is different from the first definition, where self-help is considered a prerequisite to good health. In this definition, the person may require the services of a physician or health care professional to prevent or treat any disease.
A good definition of health is one that takes into account all of the risk factors and protective measures that can be implemented. The diseases that fall under this category include those that are associated with other risk factors, such as age, gender, community, lifestyle, and some causes that cannot be avoided, like environmental hazards. These diseases are therefore all linked with one another and should therefore be treated on an individual basis.
The second and third definition of good health are also linked with each other. The absence of a disease is considered to be healthy. Good health, on the other hand, is determined by controlling or preventing diseases when they are already present. The presence of a disease does not necessarily mean that a person is unhealthy. However, absent disease is synonymous with healthy living.
For those who have illnesses and diseases that cannot be prevented, there is the fourth and fifth definition of good health. Good health is achieved through timely diagnosis, appropriate medication, and timely support for the individual in his or her efforts to maintain the health that has been achieved. Each of these definitions of health has limitations, depending on the circumstances. The presence of certain diseases, like cancer, for example, calls for an immediate assessment and treatment.