Life expectancy has increased exponentially over the last 100 years. This is undoubtedly due to modern medicine, improved living conditions, the working environment and a balanced diet (the what and the how). In 1900, life expectancy stood at 33.8 years for men and 35.7 years for women; by the middle of the century (1950), these figures had almost doubled, reaching 59.8 and 64.3 years for men and women respectively. In 2023, life expectancy for women stood at 86.34 years and for men at 81.11 years. The difference is significant. But is it healthy?
This increase in longevity has not always been accompanied by an improvement in quality of life. Medical specialisation, which has led to significant advances in the treatment of specific diseases, has paradoxically generated a fragmented view of the patient. The human body, in all its complexity, has been divided into organs and systems, each one under the care of a different specialist. We had forgotten that the parts make up the whole.
Historically, health was a community issue. Family doctors knew their patients intimately, treating not only their physical ailments, but also their emotions, social environment and lifestyle habits. Over time, this model has been replaced by a more fragmented one, in which the patient is reduced to a set of symptoms.
This approach, although effective for certain pathologies, has neglected the holistic view of the human being. The body and mind are closely connected, and the chronic diseases that characterise maturity and old age, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or cognitive or muscular deterioration, also have a significant emotional component.
Slow medicine proposes a return to this holistic view of health. It is a medical practice that prioritises the doctor-patient relationship, active listening, in-depth knowledge of people and the search for personalised solutions. Slow medicine is not an alternative to conventional medicine, but rather a complement that seeks to restore the balance between physical and emotional health.
Living longer is a universal desire, but in reality what we seek is to live longer with a good quality of life, feeling alive, active and capable. Slow medicine aligns with this vision, focusing on disease prevention, knowledge of our bodies, the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and comprehensive patient support throughout their lives. Knowing the tools that allow us to make this change is essential to achieving optimal results in a short time. It is essential to understand that the body ages differently in each person. Genetic factors, lifestyle, environment, and personal experiences influence the ageing process. Slow medicine seeks to identify these individual factors in order todesign personalised prevention and treatment strategies to improve our quality of life and well-being.
Slow medicine invites us to seek strategies to maintain an active and healthy life for as long as possible.
Therefore, among the most notable aspects of this new medical trend, we find a clear commitment to:
Slow medicine advocates a multidisciplinary approach that integrates different areas of knowledge, such as the study of our metabolism and genetics, brain health, nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, and regenerative medicine, among other fields.
Slow medicine represents a return to the origins of medicine, placing the patient at the centre of attention and recognising the complexity of the human being. By adopting a more holistic and personalised approach, slow medicine can contribute to improving people’s quality of life and promoting healthy and active ageing.
Would you like to learn more about how slow medicine can improve your overall health? Book an initial consultation now.
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