Suboptimal health is a new concept in this century and is gaining attention as an important health issue. However, there are some misunderstandings which need clarification:
1. Is suboptimal health an illness?
People who suffer from suboptimal health often feel tired, weak, and irritable. They also tend to experience heart palpitations, tightness in the chest, loss of appetite, headaches, tinnitus, anxiety, etc., but doctors are unable to diagnose a disease. It is a state between health and illness as certain parts of the body may have become dysfunctional but illness has yet to form.
2. Ignore suboptimal health conditions
Many people choose to ignore their suboptimal health condition as it is not a diagnosed medical condition. However, being in this state does impact lifestyle, work, social life, growth, and many other areas. Furthermore, it may affect many parts of the body’s system. It is like a warning sign for unhealthy issues. Ignoring the problem may lead to the onset of diseases.
3. Taking supplements to ease discomfort
Some people immediately start on supplements when they feel bodily discomfort. They see grey hair and assume it is a blood deficiency, fear of the cold is a yang deficiency, and weak legs means lack of qi. But these assumptions may not be true as our body’s system is complex. There are various reasons for suboptimal health symptoms and causes vary from simple to complicated. Thus, do not easily trust supplements as they may actually aggravate the condition and do more harm than good.
4. Suboptimal health only concerns the body
The human mind, like the body, can be in a healthy or unhealthy state. When the mental state is between healthy and ill, it becomes a suboptimal health state, which is mainly manifested by symptoms such as anxiety, panic, confusion, depression, and mental fatigue. If you do not take care of it in time, it can easily become a psychological problem and affect all aspects of physical health.
Nowadays, more seemingly healthy middle-aged people have in fact many health issues. As well, there are many seemingly healthy young people who are working hard at their careers and neglecting their health, and their bodies are in fact at suboptimal levels. If you feel that your body is in a sub-healthy state, don’t let fatigue consume your health and don’t wait for specific diseases to show up before you realize the importance of being healthy. Only by understanding suboptimal health, seeking timely treatment, and taking proactive action to prevent disease before it happens will you be truly responsible for your own health.
