Healthy and Shipshape

The Ships Doctor needs to update after a long absence. Much has changed with retirement from medical practice not all that long ago. It is like taking off a 45 year old coat. I expected some attached skin to peel off but instead feel very free.
I do miss being able to care for my patients but release from the heavy dead hand of bureaucracy is very lightening.
When I started , as you might imagine, doctors had to think for themselves. We were trained more in self-sufficiency.
The protocols and costs of insurance, medical registration, CPD requirements and complex patient software can be left behind.
But what now? Should everything learned be forgotten and swept out with the dust?

Instead of dealing with sickness, there is room to think about health. One good reason for this is selfish, as being a healthy elder is preferable. The other driver is the exciting research and discussion around keeping healthy. Is it possible to become more healthy with ageing? This may seem contradictory but ageing is not a diagnosis, even on a death certificate.

The Ships doctor reckons that the elements of good health are encompassed in the ‘DEAL’. Diet, Exercise, Attitude and Luck.
sometimes these things overlap.
For example, I was asked about the prevalence of diabetes in an Indian community. Do they eat much sugar? Yes
Do they perform HITT? (high intensity interval training) No. Do they want to change at all? Not really. Is there a familial gene? Maybe.

So the Ship’s Doctor has changed course for a downwind run and there should be plenty of space in this post to hunt for the treasure trove which is good health. Thoughtful comments and questions will be welcomed