Many people are struggling to control chronic diseases, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammatory conditions. Yet nothing seems to be working. They are visiting their doctors, taking numerous medications, and still feeling unwell. In this post, I will show you how to get healthy and end chronic disease.
I will start with some background information and explain why traditional approaches are not working. Then I will show you how it is possible to achieve your best health.
Let’s get started…
Overview of the problem
Chronic diseases include conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, atherosclerosis, chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease, etc. Unfortunately, we are not doing a good job of treating these disorders. People are taking more medications than ever, yet they cannot get their problem under control. They also experience fatigue, pain, depression, and a poor quality of life.
After a while, it’s easy to give up and stop trying. Some people become resigned and surrender. They begin to believe their genetics are flawed and there is nothing they can do. They feel stuck, living in fear of organ damage, blindness, amputation, stroke, dementia, heart failure, and other needless complications.
More and more medications are not the solution
Medications are beneficial and often life-saving in acute situations, but they are not designed to resolve problems for the rest of your life.
Why can’t the doctor find a medication that works?
In chronic conditions, medications frequently fail because they do not address the underlying root cause. They mask the symptoms.
Most chronic illnesses are caused by your diet and lifestyle habits. Even if you have a strong family history of a disease, your genes are usually not the main factors determining your degree of health.
It is entirely possible to completely restore your health by shifting the focus to your underlying nutrition and lifestyle choices.
How to treat chronic disease the right way
Imagine, on a rainy day, discovering a leak in your roof. You would probably grab a bucket and a mop to catch the drip and clean up the water. The bucket and mop are lifesavers for the home, buying some time for you to fix the roof properly.
Now imagine never fixing the roof and relying on the bucket and mop forever. Naturally, the leak will get worse and out of control. Eventually, even the best buckets won’t be able to contain the water that is now pouring into your house.
Unfortunately, most traditional approaches to chronic disease work like high-tech buckets and mops. In the early stages, the medications improve your test results and seem to control the problem. But this is not the time to get complacent.
Eventually, the disease gets worse. Of course, the doctors will follow standard medical guidelines, driven by Big Pharma, and prescribe more medication. The doctors might recommend a procedure too. Maybe you will even get hospitalized, for a team of specialists to use their buckets and mops to contain the problem on your behalf.
At some point, it is clear that this approach is not working, and you will realize there has to be a better way.
Thankfully, there is!
While it is essential to take medication or undergo surgery to manage an acute crisis, it is more important to remember that you can prevent or reverse the disease when you choose to deal with the root cause of the problem.
Nutrition is the #1 factor for wellness
Shift your focus to your daily choices. The most important one is what you eat.
A high-nutrient, low-fat, plant-based diet is more powerful than medication to prevent and reverse chronic disease. Antioxidant rich vegetables and fruits actually reduce inflammation, reverse insulin resistance, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and unclog your arteries, naturally. Other factors are important as well.
Here is a list of lifestyle factors that help restore good health.
Lifestyle factors
- Nutrition
- Water
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Stress reduction
- Spirituality
- Mindful awareness
- Mind-body connection
- Relationships
- Environment
- Toxin reduction
- Occupation
- Personal development
End the struggle and choose a better way. Get healthy by focusing on the root cause of disease. Don’t give up. You can achieve your best health through good nutrition and healthy habits. Although medications have a place in conventional health care, they are no substitute for healthy lifestyle choices.
Carla Hightower, MD, MBA is a physician, health coach, workplace wellness consultant, and speaker. She helps people heal themselves with food. Through wellness workshops and courses, she helps companies create healthy, energetic teams.
So true, Carla. Love the leaky roof analogy.
Thank you for checking out this post. I am glad to hear that it is helpful
Your words are the motivation I need to get back on track! I’ve been slacking on my fruits and vegetables recently…and I feel like garbage! Thank you for sharing.
Getting off track is ok. You’re able to get back on and that’s what counts! I am glad that the post was helpful.
Excellent read and motivation for a holistic approach to maintaining your health. Thanks, Carla.
Thank you for reading the post. I am glad to receive your positive remarks. Most appreciated!