It is widely known that life expectancy is increasing. But the reason why the average figures are higher than they used to be, say, hundred years ago is not that all people live longer than before. One reason is that, due to medical research, many illnesses were eliminated; the second one is that fewer people die in wars. Generally, the life of modern man is endangered by many factors. One is the increasing pollution of the environment by industry and transport; another one is sedentary lifestyle of people living in cities and towns, that is, the majority of the population of the planet. The third one is the quality of food we eat and water we drink which results in a lot of diseases. The fourth one is that living in big cities leads to epidemics, and even pandemics of many catchy illnesses. Unhealthy life results in the fact that many people are overweight.
The only possible way of preserving your health is, therefore, healthy way of life which includes keeping fit, balanced meals, and giving up unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and, of course, drugs.
Physical fitness is a general state of good physical health. For anyone who really wants to be healthy, fitness has become an integral part of their lives. The fitness boom resulted in a rise in the numbers of people participating in sports and sports activities. It is a well-known fact that even moderate physical activity can protect you from heart diseases and strokes, obesity and influenza. There are many ways of keeping fit. Firstly, you could visit health and fitness clubs. A lot of health and fitness clubs, public leisure centres, huge indoor water parks are very popular among people of all ages. Secondly, regular exercise is necessary. People of different ages can choose or design exercises that will fit them. Some people do aerobics or yoga; others prefer weight training in a gym. Many people prefer walking or jogging which are the cheapest and most accessible sports. Doing some sport or other on a regular basis is the best way of keeping fit. In Russia a number of sports activities are popular among the old and the young: football, swimming, cycling, skiing, skating, fishing, hunting, roller-skating, etc. Mass running competitions gain popularity with Russians. City marathons have become sporting events reported on the radio, television and in the press.
A healthy diet is an important part of staying healthy, too. This diet contains reduced amounts of cholesterol, fat, sugar and salt. It helps protect our body from a wide range of diseases; the most dangerous are heart diseases, liver diseases, and cancer.
To stay healthy one must, of course, abstain from smoking. Everybody knows smoking is hazardous for your health and can lead to fatal diseases like cancer. Smoking should undoubtedly be banned in all public places.
Vocabulary - Health and Health Care
This is a list of vocabulary items related to health and health care
How to say you are ill
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I'm ill.
I feel really rough.
I'm shattered (meaning tired out or exhausted)
I'm on my last legs (to be very tired, especially after a lot of physical activity or work. It also means to be going to die soon - ' the old man is on his last leg ').
I feel / look awful.
I feel / look like death warmed up (very ill or appearing very sickly - Poor thing! She looks like death warmed up)
How to say you are feeling OK
I am alive and kicking (to continue to be well, healthy or successful - Don't worry about your grandfather; he is alive and kicking)
I feel good (used to talk about emotional state)
I feel great / well
He is a picture of (good) health (to be in a very healthy condition - The doctor told him that he is a picture of good health)
She is hale and hearty (to be in a good health - In spite of her old age, she looks hale and hearty)
Health problems
I have a headache / toothache / backache / stomachache / earache...
I have a pain in my back / tooth / head...
I have a broken
I have a flu / cold / runny nose / fever / high temperature / sore throat
I feel sick.
Health advice:
Exercise regularly.
Eat healthy food.
Brush your teeth regularly.
Sleep early (= don't stay up late!)
Have regular medical check up.
Relax.
Go on a diet.
Medicines
eye drops
cream
dose (of medicine)
drugs
shot / injection (give some an injection)
medicine (take medicine)
pain-killer
pill
plaster
tablet/tranquilizer
Treatment
check-up
diagnosis
operation / surgery
prescription
People
ophthalmologist
dentist
doctor / physician
general practitioner (GP)
midwife
nurse
patient
specialist
surgeon
Places
doctor's
pharmacy / drugstore /chemist's
hospital
waiting room
