Quick -Fix or Sustainable Change?
Quick-fix or sustainable change. I frequently coach on this topic in both my coaching and nutrition practices. I think this concept can be applied broadly. I am not a news junky, but, even the limited exposure that I have is evidence that this concept is pervasive including our federal government budget dealings. A few weeks ago Michael shared an article in the Wall Street Journal with me. The title read “Laxative Usage Spurs Shortage” Curious, I read the article. One statement by Mayo Clinic Gastroenterologist, Dr Brian Lacy, hit home for me- ” Increased laxative use as part of a growing reliance on quick-fixes over long-term behavior changes”. I think Dr Lacy makes an excellent point and I would like to add to this with my own opinion that it is also due to health care that delivers symptom based treatment and does not do enough to find the reason for the problem and make efforts to solve this so that symptoms are present. In the case of laxative use, they appear to many as a better choice to take a medication to make you poop rather than finding out why you cannot poop in the first place. What if the answer is simply- eat a fruit that starts with P everyday. My clients know the power of the P fruit and they also know that for many 2 dried plums (prunes) a day can keep the laxative away.
Did you know that overuse of laxatives can cause dehydration which can then cause brain fog? Or, how about that overuse of laxatives can lead to your bowel forgetting to do its’ job of moving waste? These in my mind are serious outcomes and warrant a second thought about treating symptoms of constipation. Why is behavior change so hard? That is a question for another blog- stay tuned.
Consider this option- before reaching for a quick-fix to resolve a health concern you have such as gut ill health- ask yourself, do I not deserve the time to even think through the consequences of a quick-fix? How about accessing a resource to help me with the decision and perhaps a coach to help me find the root cause and strategy to address this. I am one of those resources and there are many others like me. I cannot speak for all, only for myself when I say that I spend my days researching, reading, trying new things all for the sole purpose of improving the lives of others. I am not interested in the get rich quick concept when it comes to your most important asset- your human body. Join me on a quest to find root causes by hitting the pause button on quick fixes such as laxative over use.
To you sustainable good health
Kim
