When you think of someone being sick, do you think of doctors’ offices, medicine, and rest? The truth of the matter is that the term sick has certain connotations but actually encompasses a whole multitude of complications. This would not be a troubling matter if everyone treated non-visible illnesses with the same concern they do as with the common cold. It is harder to know who is sick when the symptoms are elusive.
Below are three illnesses that can disrupt a person’s life. With illness and injury, healing cannot begin until the problem is understood.
Low Testosterone Levels.
Testosterone is a hormone. When people think of changing hormones, they likely think of puberty or menopause. Not a man in his thirties with a dropping testosterone level (normal is between 300-1000 ng/dl). Some sources estimate that as many as 13 million men in the U.S. are dealing with low testosterone, and 90% of them are not receiving any form of treatment.
It is likely that most men are unaware of the symptoms of low testosterone; they do not realize they are sick because the symptoms can vary. Lower sex drive; being more tired than normal; even feeling depressed are all symptoms, though some men may have none of these signs. If untreated, low testosterone can decrease a man’s fertility and bone density. Your family doctor may have recommendations about how to fix the problem before it has too much of a negative impact on your health.
A Problem With Alcohol.
In the U.S., alcohol is considered the number one drug problem. Few people like to admit if they have a drinking problem. It may be why Alcoholics Anonymous starts off with each member stating that fact about themselves. The thing about alcoholism, is that it is not easy to hide. The people closest to an alcoholic are intensely aware of their sickness even if it is never discussed in public.
There is a stigma surrounding overindulging in drink. Alcoholics need to be particularly careful when seeking help, because the detox process can kill if undertaken incorrectly. It is a type of “sick” that never goes away completely.
The Prevalence of ADHD.
In one study of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder conducted in 2011, it was found that 11% of children ages 4 to 17 were diagnosed, or 6.4 million children. There is no cure for the disorder, although medication or behavioral therapy has proven helpful. Although more common in children, it does affect adults as well. Depression, inability to set goals or severe procrastination that negatively affects one’s life are some elusive symptoms.
Being sick cannot always be cured with bedrest. Doctors are discovering more and more every day that our hormones play an incredibly big role in the make-up of our brains. When we known the cause of a problem, we can better understand how to go about fixing it. Learn more about this topic here.
