WELCOME back to a new year. I hope that 2026 is kind to you and that all you’ve wished for comes about.
It’s amazing what our bodies can put up with. Extra spirits over the Christmas break, lack of sleep, and the little things that go wrong from time to time – sore eyes, ulcers, broken bones, a lingering cold, hay fever and so much more – yet we soldier on, defeating whatever besets us.
Have you ever rung to make a doctor’s appointment because you just can’t shake a problem, only to find that it clears up just before the appointment date? Then comes the dilemma – do you keep the booking or cancel?
And what about those things that afflict our bodies from time to time that are so embarrassing we can hardly bring ourselves to talk about them? So personal that we’d rather hide them away and suffer in silence, never knowing the cause.
Whatever it is that feels embarrassing to you, chances are it happens to plenty of other people as well. Maybe you have a “down-below problem” — uncomfortable for both men and women – but don’t forget, your doctor has seen it all before.
Men, in particular, are far more inclined to avoid the doctor until something is noticed and it’s clear that something isn’t quite right. Yet there is a far better chance of treatment, and often a cure, by simply having regular check-ups – that colonoscopy as we get older, blood tests, or the occasional bone density scan.
Women, on the other hand, tend to be more aware of their bodies and are far more likely to talk openly, both with doctors and with each other, about health concerns. Women will discuss all sorts of issues with friends, whereas men usually stick to safer ground – sport, work, holidays, maybe cooking.
“Dr Google” can be both good and bad. Doctors aren’t keen on people diagnosing themselves without proper examination, and rightly so. But by reading reliable information, you can better decide whether something needs a medical appointment.
Out of curiosity, I turned to AI recently to ask a health question, and received a very satisfactory explanation.
It was just a query – but an interesting one. Sometimes, being informed makes all the difference.
