17 Health Tips Medical Professionals Wish Everyone Followed

Want to improve your health? A recent Reddit thread asked medical professionals to share the most important – and often ignored – health advice they have for everyone. The answers might surprise you.

Here are 17 pieces of advice from doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers:

1. **Eat more fiber:** Focus on the soluble kind found in foods like oatmeal, chia seeds, and okra. Fiber helps lower cholesterol and promotes healthy digestion.
2. **Create an advanced directive:** Encourage older family members to do the same. An advanced directive outlines your wishes for medical care if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
3. **Schedule preventative screenings:** Get regular checkups and screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies as soon as you are eligible. Don't forget to stretch regularly, too.
4. **Brush your teeth:** It's a simple but essential habit for good health.
5. **Wash your hands:** Soap and water for at least 20 seconds is best. Hand sanitizer isn't always effective, especially against norovirus, which is expected to be prevalent.
6. **Explore financial aid for medical bills:** Many major hospitals offer financial assistance programs. Contact the billing department to inquire about eligibility and application procedures. One person reported receiving a free hysterectomy from Vanderbilt after applying.
7. **Breathe consciously:** Take a few deep, purposeful breaths throughout the day. Focus on belly breaths to engage your diaphragm.
8. **Floss regularly:** Dental health is critical to overall well-being.
9. **Don't smoke:** Avoid smoking anything. Your lungs, heart, and blood vessels will thank you.
10. **Engage in regular exercise:** Find an activity you enjoy and can maintain, such as walking while listening to a podcast. Consistency is more important than intensity.
11. **Consider magnesium supplementation:** Many people are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium glycinate and threonate are easily absorbed. Consult your doctor before supplementing, especially if you have kidney issues.
12. **Know your medical conditions and medications:** Keep an updated list of your conditions and medications readily available, especially for emergencies. Paramedics report frequently encountering patients who don't know their own medical information.
13. **Clean wounds promptly:** Wash even minor cuts and scrapes thoroughly.
14. **See a doctor regularly:** Start going to the doctor in your 20s, even if it seems costly. Early detection is invaluable. Also, begin planning seriously for retirement.
15. **Learn about nutrition:** Many common beliefs about nutrition are incorrect.
16. **Avoid demanding antibiotics for colds:** Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.
17. **Advocate for healthcare reform:** Push for universal healthcare, such as Medicare for All.

These insights from medical professionals offer valuable guidance for improving your health. It's time to schedule that doctor's appointment!