Monday, September 19, 2011

I'm De-conditioned...

or is it "De-conditioning"? Due to insurance changes and going without insurance, I've had about 6 different doctors over the last 11 years. When I tell them I think I'm out of shape, they have all said it's de-conditioning. Why are doctors using this term rather than just saying to their patients that they are out of shape and need to exercise. Are they afraid of being politically incorrect?

The following is a conversation between my doctor and me. It doesn't matter which doctor; it's been the same conversation every time.

Me: I think I'm out of shape.

Doctor: It's de-conditioning.

Me: I think I need to exercise more.

Doctor: It's de-conditioning.

Could the failure of doctors and other medical professional to talk about the issue with their patients possibly be contributing to the increasing numbers of Americans that are out of shape, overweight and/or obese?

Well, I'm not waiting for a doctor to tell me I need to exercise. I don't really need to lose more weight; I lost 20 lbs during my last year in my doctoral program and I have never gained it back. But I am very out of shape. So, today I started walking around the building where I work. I walked around the building three times for a total of 15 minutes. The hardest part about doing it is just getting up from my chair and getting out of the building. But, once I'm out there, I don't want to go back inside.

3 comments:

makita said...

Hmmm, I never heard that term before. It must be new. I wonder what it means....

Shadow said...

I just did a Google search on it. The best definition that I have seen so far is that "Deconditioning can be defined as the multiple, potentially reversible changes in body systems brought about by physical inactivity and disuse."

The reference for that definition is:
Deconditioning - Aging Or Deconditioning?, Effects Of Acute Illness, Functional Consequences Of Deconditioning, Risk Factors For Deconditioning

An overview of some of the results of my google search suggests that the meaning of the term "deconditioning" can include decrease in muscular and physiological functioning due to inactivity, aging, illness, and disease. In addition, it appears to used as a replacement for the term "out of shape".

Jodi said...

ugh I excercise and I Still feel like crap most of the time. My point is if you feel good who cares! But it does sound like you could use getting out of that lab every once in a while.