Better Health & Living: Article: Where's Your Worry

Issue: February 2006

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Where’s Your Worry

by Susan Flagg Godbey

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One of the side effects of working on a health magazine is something I call OHDS (Ohmigosh, I Have That Disease! Syndrome).

When you eat, sleep, and write about health concerns, reviewing the latest studies and noting the hidden clues of obscure but frightening illnesses, it’s easy to interpret every tummy gurgle or twinge as a warning sign you shouldn’t ignore. (Unfortunately, another tendency health editors display is to actually dismiss symptoms because they recognize the syndrome.)

In other words, I understand those of you who exaggerate the significance of some symptoms, ignore others—and just throw up your hands now and then, too busy and confused to worry about what you should be worried about. Sure enough, a recent study at the University of Michigan demonstrated that most of us misjudge health risks every day, underestimating the odds of some really big bad guys and blowing others up to Godzilla proportions.

That’s why this issue’s feature, “What’s Your Real Risk?” is worth your time. You’ll get the lowdown on your real-world risks—based on statistics, not on fear, denial, or misperceptions—and just as important, find out what you can do to lower them. (Raise your hands: How many women out there worry—a lot—about breast cancer? How many of you guys worry about impotence—but have never heard of metabolic syndrome, a precursor of diabetes?)

Whatever particular bogeymen lie under your bed, please take a look at this story. Even if you’re living the good life and are the picture of health, you need to know when that picture should be a confirming x-ray. We also threw in a fun quiz for those of you who may be uncertain when it comes to rating perils such as shark attacks, TV watching, and falling off your shoes.

Remember, worrying too much isn’t good for you, but knowing what should scare you is healthy. Learning what to do about those scary things, and following through, is very, very smart—and reassuring. So scram, bogeymen.

‘Til next time,

Susan Flagg Godbey
Editor-in-Chief