Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32360/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Symptoms are signs that tell you about physical discomfort! Is it the right choice to suppress symptoms with medication!?
You only realize the value of health after you’ve lost it. If you can go through an illness to the extent that you can think it’s not a bad thing, you can regain your health. Physical discomfort manifests itself through various signs, which are generally recognized as symptoms.
Most of the signs (symptoms) that make you consider going to the hospital are related to ‘pain’. When the pain is severe, your first instinct is to suppress it. Many people take painkillers as soon as they feel pain. The next most common sign (symptom) is a fever. When a fever occurs, many people try to lower it with antipyretics.
Once the signs (symptoms) disappear after taking medication, most people think, ‘All done = I’m cured’. But this doesn’t solve the root cause at all. When these signs (symptoms) appear, whether you think, ‘I’m not feeling well, I wonder why’, or simply take medication to suppress the symptoms and end there, becomes the dividing line between whether you deviate from good health or recover it.
Which type are you? Repeatedly taking medication on your own judgment to suppress the signs (symptoms) of illness without reassessing your lifestyle can often lead to serious, irreversible diseases. Instead of ignoring the signs (symptoms) your body gives, the key to living a healthy and joyful life is acknowledging these signs (symptoms) and steering yourself back to good health.
When the signs (symptoms) of illness appear, your body is crying out. Let’s take a moment to think about why it happened:
1. Lack of sleep?
2. Working too much without rest?
3. Lack of exercise?
4. Overeating or drinking too much?
5. Exposed to cold for a long time? Wore too little?
If you take a moment to reflect on your lifestyle, you might discover something.
When signs (symptoms) appear, first clarify when the symptoms started, then reflect on your lifestyle during that period.
Consider the following periods:
A. The previous day’s lifestyle
B. The past week’s lifestyle
C. The past 2 to 3 weeks’ lifestyle
D. The past 3 months’ lifestyle
E. The past year’s lifestyle
F. The lifestyle over the past several years
Reflect on both short and somewhat longer periods. It can become confusing if you have multiple signs (symptoms), but start by thinking about the most severe one. You’ll likely find an answer. Once you become aware of areas where you’ve been pushing yourself too hard, if you improve those, the signs (symptoms) should soon disappear.
If you master this method, you’ll no longer need doctors or medication. However, if the signs (symptoms) persist even after 1–2 weeks of lifestyle reflection and adjustment, even for non-urgent symptoms, consult an appropriate specialist.
Is the key to eliminating signs (symptoms) of illness in the way we live our daily lives!?
There are countless signs (symptoms) of illness. Here are just a few examples:
• Pain: back, neck, knees, gastrointestinal issues, etc.
• Fever: caused by viruses, bacteria, or injuries (fractures, bruises), etc.
• Eyes: eye strain, itching, blurred vision, dryness, etc.
• Mouth: mouth ulcers, dry throat, cracks at the corners of the mouth, etc.
• Nose: stuffy nose, sneezing, runny nose, etc.
• Ears: tinnitus, ear discharge, hearing loss, etc.
Other symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, and more.
To maintain good health, the following five elements are generally considered important:
1. Sleep
2. Rest
3. Exercise
4. Diet
5. Social Environment
6. For sleep, the guideline is 7.5 to 8 hours per day.
7. For rest, taking a 5-10minute break for every hour of activity or work is ideal. Short breaks are very effective for preventing illness.
8. Exercise is necessary at any age, especially after the age of 60, when a significant decline in muscle strength is often felt.
9. Regarding diet, it’s important to eat the right amount at regular times. Eating after 8 p.m. can lead to kidney function decline. Particularly, eating after 10 p.m. can cause you to lose your appetite for breakfast, disrupting your daily rhythm.
10. The social environment refers to things like the natural climate. Knowledge about your living conditions, such as housing or room temperature, is needed when dealing with heat, cold, strong winds, or high humidity.