Psychology And Health Problems
Psychology and Health Problems
The multi-factorial model is a unique theory that states there is no single cause for an individual to contract certain illnesses that others have avoided. The multi-factorial model also suggests an individual’s culture, biology, psychological wellness, lifestyle habits, environment, and genetics all have an important role with an individual’s contraction of illnesses.
Without psychology, many individuals throughout the world may not have the access to famous information regarding preventative methods or signs and symptoms of certain illnesses for early awareness. As a result of psychologists being trained to mediate critically, professionally conduct research using numerous techniques, and by studying theories, coronary heart disease (CHD) and caner is now better understood; therefore leaving millions of individuals the educational resources in order to prevent this killer illness if so desire.
Psychologists now know that illnesses are, in fact, developed consequently as a result of a number of different factors. Genetics being one of these factors has proved itself greatly as an added increase to an individual’s chance of developing illnesses such as coronary heart disease. After years of study, psychologists realize genetics will only increase an individual’s probability if positive precautions are not taken. Other studies show that one’s physical conditions and lifestyle habits, such as a lack of physical exercise and dire eating habits can lead to obesity; hypertension, and high cholesterol. Combined with genetics, these negative lifestyle habits are detrimental to the body and heart. One of the illnesses listed, hypertension, also known as high blood pressure can lead to many health problems, such as anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior, all leading problems that increase the risk of CHD.
Let us take a look at some other leading issues psychologists have researched that corroborate sufficient findings as leading sources and causes for coronary heart disease. We can also note the positive findings obtained and established during these research studies in which one is able to manage or prevent health problems such as CHD.
1. Patterns of consumption are known to be when an individual consumes high-levels of toxins into the body. An over abundance of fatty foods, cigarette smoking, prescription and non-prescription medications, drug abuse and alcohol abuse are all considered toxic if taking over long periods of time or in high doses. Though after many years of study and research, psychologists and a Danish team proved small amounts of daily alcohol consumption along with added exercise is good for the heart (BBC News, 2008).
2. The Type A personality trait has been linked as a cause to coronary heart disease as a result of a few negative behaviors. Individuals who have this trait are much more aggressive and hostile by nature, and on average are at greater risk for developing anxiety and depression. Aggression and anxiety confirm an increasing risk for the development of CHD and some professionals believe aggression and anxiety are more detrimental then that of patterns of consumption. Reason being is aggression and anxiety produce stress hormones that accelerate the heart and raise blood pressure. Psychological research has demonstrated by reducing aggression and anxiety, an individual can greatly reduce his, or her, chance of getting coronary heart disease.
3. Another swear brought to the attention of psychologists is “job strain.” A work environment is crucial to ones well-being and the conditions in which one is expected to work; in conjunction with daily job tasks can have negative effects on the heart. Environments where individuals are given very little personal control and are forced to perform physical labor, conduct huge workloads or where health concerns exist, such as construction sites where the air quality is not so good showed a drastic increase in stress levels.
In the end, if one reduces his, or her, patterns of consumption, any type A personality traits that may exist, exercises and participates in relaxing activities; the chance of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease will drastically decline.
According to the American Cancer Society (2008), 75% of all cancer cases will be accredited to the environment, tobacco use, an individual’s eating habits, radiation and chemicals here in the United States. Cancer is known to develop frequently within the human body, but our immune system fights off the cancerous cells therefore alleviating us from harm. Obvious psychologists believe when our immune system becomes damaged as a result of psychological and physical factors, humans are more apt to beget cancers such as tumors.
There are many risk factors at hand in which psychologists have proved to be prominent for an individual to become diagnosed with cancer: tobacco use, high amounts of alcohol consumption, eating foods that are high in burly and derive from animals, and too much exposure to the Sun’s ultraviolet light, especially by those who like to Sun bath.
Psychologists have found through dedicated study and research that nearly two out of three deaths here in the United States are caused from smoking and diet, two easy lifestyle behavioral adjustments. Psychologists also found that nine out of 10 individuals will die from lung cancer as a result of smoking.
Psychologists have taken hard work and dedication, along with years of testing and research to provide society with an approach that can be used and delivered to a vast majority with ways of understanding and managing health problems such as cancer. Psychologist figured out that if an individual is subjected to certain psychological conditions such as awe and depression for long periods of time, the immune system will become weak and vulnerable; therefore increasing the risk for cancerous cells to multiply in the human body. So by reducing stress one can reduce the risk of cancer.
Medical doctors utilize psychological interventions to benefit individual cancer patients cope with the effects of stress, and side the effects from medical treatments, such as chemotherapy. Though not proven and still under debate, it is believed the more an individual can become psychologically hardy the better a chance that individual will have for a positive recovery. Psychology in itself has helped a vast majority of individuals deal with the effects cancer and other illnesses have bestowed upon them. Taking control of one’s life, becoming in charge again, discussing issues and concerns with family, friends and others who share the same illness or have gone through the same health problems can have positive effects.
If one takes the time to learn better lifestyle habits, avoids unhealthy eating, reduces any if all tobacco and alcohol consumption, adds in a little utilize a few days a week, and puts asides time to relax the body and mind by possibly becoming eager with hobbies and recreation, the chances of becoming ill from coronary heart disease, cancer and other life threatening illnesses will be greatly reduced.
References
American Cancer Society. (2008). Detailed guide: Cancer General Information. What are the Risk Factors for Cancer? Retrieved September 27, 2008, from http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2x_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_cancer_72.asp? sitearea=
BBC News. (2008). A little alcohol can be healthy. Retrieved September 27, 2008, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7177506.stm
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Filed under United Health Care by on Jan 30th, 2012. 