A minor ache, pain, or irritation may seem a common health concern, but these symptoms aren’t necessarily normal. If what’s normal for you doesn’t allow you to enjoy your life, it may be time to create a new normal! At Insight Thermography of Oklahoma, we can help you break free from common health concerns that may be hindering you from living your best life.
What’s the Difference Between Common vs. Normal When It Comes to Health Concerns?
Often, we assume some of our frequent, mild, daily or common health concerns are probably perfectly normal. But are they? Or are these concerns just a regular or semi-regular occurrence, therefore slipping a bit past our radar, falling under the “normal” label, when in fact, they may not be?
So what’s the difference between common and normal, anyway?
Some health concerns we typically consider normal include: headaches, allergies, poor sleep patterns, lack of energy, and pain. Additionally, we may consider some common pelvic floor issues or bowel habits to be normal, when in fact, they are not.
While these symptoms are most assuredly common, it’s important we understand they are not actually normal, and aren’t the way our bodies are designed to function.
Some Common Health Concerns
There is no shortage of health concerns we could address in this section, but today we’re going to look at three of the most commonly discussed health issues often assumed as “normal.”
Allergies
Here in Oklahoma, the Spring season is in full force, and along with it, the allergens. Did you know that around 50 million Americans suffer from some type of allergies? Sounds pretty normal, right? Normal? Or common?
Normal, by definition, means the usual, average, or typical state or condition. So while something like allergies may become normal for you, since that isn’t the intended condition of your body and health, allergies are actually not…normal. Our bodies weren’t designed to be allergic to pollen, dust, grass, trees, animals, foods, etc. But it is common to suffer from these types of allergies.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain lasting longer than 12 weeks. Often considered a normal part of aging, over 20% of adults in the U.S. report suffering from chronic pain daily or almost daily, according to the CDC. And over 100 million Americans are living with a chronic pain condition of some sort.
There’s no debating on whether or not chronic pain is a common health concern. Data clearly confirms it is. But pain, especially pain you suffer from daily, isn’t in and of itself normal.
Migraines
Migraines are incredibly common, so much so that 1 in 7 people worldwide suffer from them at least on occasion, and 2% of the world’s population experience chronic migraine headaches. An estimated 25% of U.S. households have at least one migraine sufferer within. Migraines seem to affect more women than men, and some children suffer from these headaches as well.
But migraines aren’t normal, and aren’t something anyone should have to accept as a normal part of their life!
Common vs. Normal, Why the Verbiage Matters
The concern with interchanging the words common and normal has to do with our mindset and thought patterns. Saying “normal” when referencing something that really, well, isn’t, causes us to normalize the symptoms we’re experiencing. This can result in our dismissal of a problem that may need addressed and remedied. There may be a more effective, lasting way to deal with what you’re suffering from than medicating the symptom forever or learning to live with it. Addressing the underlying issue can help you be free not only of a potentially common health concern, but free to live your life more fully.
At Insight Thermography of Oklahoma, we love helping you discover more about your own health and wellness and equipping you to find relief from any common symptoms you may be experiencing. We do this by assessing your body’s overall health through thermal imaging. These thermal images are interpreted by physicians known as thermologists. This interpretation is sent to you, and we are available to answer any questions you may have about the physicians’ recommendations. Additionally, Erin, our in-house naturopathic doctor loves helping you fit all the pieces of your health puzzle together and get you feeling your best.
If you’re ready to discuss your health concerns or schedule a thermogram, give us a call at 405-306-6340 today to set up an appointment or free consultation. We’d love to hear from you!
