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"After quitting smoking and drinking, people are more energetic, but why can't their appetite keep up?" said Uncle Liu on a bench in the community park, complaining to his old friend Uncle Zhang, who was sitting next to him.
The 68-year-old is a retired bus driver who decided six months ago to quit his 50-year-old habit of smoking and drinking, on the strong advice of his family. Uncle Liu had a difficult time at first. He used to smoke at least one pack of cigarettes a day, and alcohol was an indispensable dinner companion.
Gradually, however, he did feel his breathing smoother and woke up in the morning feeling less tired. However, he found that his appetite did not increase with the improvement in his health, but rather decreased. One day half a year later, Uncle Liu went to the hospital for a regular physical examination. After looking at his indicators, the doctor praised him, but also pointed out the problems that need attention.
The doctor explained: "Uncle Liu, after you quit smoking and drinking, your body is indeed slowly recovering, but you need to pay attention to several aspects. First, alcohol and tobacco have a long-term irritating effect on your stomach and now suddenly stop, and it may take a while for your stomach to adjust to the change. It can also be one of the reasons why you have a poor appetite. ”
"Long-term smoking and drinking can affect the body's stores of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants, and now that you quit, you need to supplement these nutrients through your diet to help your body return to normal function. The doctor explained in detail the importance of these nutrients to good health and recommended foods rich in these nutrients, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and nuts.
"It's perfectly normal for you to feel some emotional swings after quitting smoking and drinking. At this stage, engaging in appropriate physical activity can help you ease your mood and stabilize your mind. ”
Uncle Liu was deeply inspired after hearing this, and he carefully wrote down every suggestion of the doctor and decided to put it into practice in his life. Over the next few months, he began to change his diet, adding plenty of vegetables and fruits, experimenting with antioxidant-rich recipes, and taking daily walks in the park.
Uncle Liu insisted on implementing his health plan, which was not only limited to diet and physical activity, but he also joined the local Tai Chi club, where Tai Chi exercises three times a week made his body more flexible and his heart function improved.
He began attending regular health talks organized by community health centers to learn how to maintain the health of all systems of his body, especially cardiovascular and digestive systems, through food pairings and daily activities.
A few months later, during a regular community health screening, Mr. Liu's doctor praised his continued progress, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring of his health. Doctors specifically mention the need to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels as you age, which are key indicators of your health.
The doctor explained: "Uncle Liu, your lifestyle changes do have a positive impact on your health, but we can't ignore some of the changes that may occur naturally in your body as you age. Proper testing and prevention can help us detect and treat problems early. ”
The doctor also emphasized the importance of mental health and advised Mr. Liu to continue to maintain good social activities with friends and family, which is essential for maintaining a positive mindset and mental health. While physical activity and a healthy diet are key, maintaining an optimistic mindset and an active social life can also improve quality of life and help older adults better cope with physical and psychological changes.
Inspired by this, he began to participate more actively in the community, not only for his own health, but also to be able to pass on an active and healthy lifestyle to the people around him.
At the end of a community meeting, he had a new question, so at his next visit to the doctor, he asked, "Doctor, I have adjusted my lifestyle as you suggested and I have seen good results." Are there any other supplements or precautions that can help me further optimize my cardiovascular health?"
After hearing this, the doctor thought seriously and made a suggestion: "Uncle Liu, I am glad to see that you are so active in paying attention to your health. For cardiovascular health, in addition to your daily diet and exercise, you may consider adding foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as deep-sea fish, or supplementing with fish oil to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. ”
"In addition, maintaining a moderate intake of nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, can also contribute to cardiovascular health. Of course, you should consult your doctor first with any supplements to make sure they are appropriate for your health condition. ”
Satisfied with the doctor's answers, he decided to follow up on the recommendations to further improve his health. This medical consultation not only strengthened his understanding of healthy living, but also deepened his understanding of preventive medicine.
What do you think about quitting smoking and drinking?