“Prevention is better than cure” is a familiar proverb. It reminds us that it is far easier to stop a problem from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it occurs. This idea has guided much of my adult life, especially when it comes to health.
Over the years, a number of small experiences have reinforced my belief in this principle.
Athlete’s Foot
A recent episode of athlete’s foot reminded me how important preventive habits can be. I rarely suffer from it, but a few months ago I developed a flare-up: large itchy patches appeared on the tops of my feet, soon spreading to both sides. The skin became scaly, cracked, and blistered—exactly as described in medical textbooks.
My usual treatment is simple: applying rubbing alcohol to the affected area, which has worked reliably for me.
More importantly, I focus on prevention. I change socks regularly—every other day or immediately after exercise. I also make sure to wash my feet thoroughly with soap and warm water each day before showering, cleaning not only the soles and tops but also between the toes.
With these habits, my feet recovered quickly and the infection did not return.
Fingernails
I did not realize I had particularly healthy fingernails until a visit to a university clinic many years ago. While examining me for a fever, the doctor casually remarked that my fingernails looked excellent—full length, smooth, and with a healthy color.
That comment surprised me, but I had always paid attention to how my hands looked. From a young age, I noticed many people cut their nails very short—sometimes even shorter than the fingertip. I never liked that appearance.
When I began trimming my own nails, I intentionally left a small free edge beyond the fingertip. This simple habit helps protect the nail bed and allows the nail to recover more easily from minor injuries. Over time, it seems to have contributed to overall nail health.
For full fingernail health coverage, please refer to Mayo Clinic website.
Flat belly
Abdominal obesity—often called a potbelly—is widely recognized as unhealthy because it indicates excess visceral fat around internal organs.
Even as a young person, I disliked the appearance of a potbelly, which made me conscious of maintaining my own fitness.
For many years, I did sit-ups before going to bed. Today I no longer do them as regularly, but I maintain a consistent exercise routine: walking about five kilometers daily and running five kilometers weekly. Combined with mindful eating, this has helped me maintain a flat belly even now—much like when I was in college.
Staying active helps keep both body and mind feeling young.
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| a photo from last year :) |
Maintain HDL heathy high level
Soon after entering corporate life, an annual physical showed that my HDL cholesterol—the “good” cholesterol—was below the recommended level.
HDL helps carry excess cholesterol back to the liver for removal and protects against heart disease. My doctor advised medication, but warned it could have side effects on the liver. He suggested exercise might help, though he doubted it would raise my HDL enough.
I increased my jogging, but for several years my HDL remained slightly low.
The breakthrough came unexpectedly while I was coaching my son’s youth soccer team. Running and playing soccer with the kids every week significantly increased my activity level. During that period, my HDL finally rose to a normal range.
Unfortunately, after I stopped coaching, the number began to drop again. That experience convinced me to resume regular running. The results were remarkable: my HDL rose again—well into the healthy range. My doctor was surprised, and I was delighted.
Regular running has kept my HDL healthy ever since.
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| on Hiking trail at Hongkong Island |
Cold sores
Cold sores are small, painful blisters around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). They are often triggered by stress, fatigue, or excessive sun exposure.
After experiencing two outbreaks, I began paying attention to the early warning signs—tingling or itching around the lips. Whenever I feel those symptoms, I immediately wash the area gently with soap and warm water.
Medical literature often states that washing alone cannot prevent an outbreak, yet in my experience it has been surprisingly effective. At most, I might develop a single small blister rather than a full outbreak.
Of course, avoiding triggers—excessive sun, stress, and fatigue—remains the best preventive strategy.
A1C and blood sugar
Despite regular exercise, a healthy BMI, and early dinners with moderate portions, my glucose and triglyceride levels gradually crept upward and eventually became borderline.
When this first happened, I chose to address the issue through diet rather than medication. I reduced several favorite foods: no more daily bananas, no more chips after work, and no more daily ice cream. Instead, I increased healthier options—large salads, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-fiber foods such as nuts and beans, and heart-healthy fish.
The results were striking. At the next annual physical, my triglycerides had dropped to about half their previous level, and my glucose level was twenty points lower—both solidly within the normal range without medication.
However, maintaining a disciplined diet proved challenging. Whenever my habits relaxed, my A1C began to rise again. My endocrinologist occasionally suggested medication, but each time I tightened my diet and the numbers improved.
About a year ago, I decided to take prevention even more seriously. For weekday lunches I eliminated rice and prepared my own salad with protein five days a week. This year I made another adjustment—avoiding red meat during the week.
Two consecutive tests have now shown my A1C decreasing.
Diet control is perhaps the hardest preventive effort I have undertaken, but it works—and it allows me to avoid diabetes medication.
A Simple Principle
These small experiences all reinforce the same lesson: Prevention is better than cure.
The first step in prevention is awareness. Annual physical examinations provide an important early warning system, allowing small problems to be detected before they grow into serious ones.
Combined with attentive daily habits, prevention remains the most powerful form of healthcare we have.
