Mar 12
Aches and Pains
Somewhere along the way, I did something to strain my back. I’ve been experiencing low level back pain for the past couple of weeks, but starting this weekend the pain has become intense spasms. My doctor gave me muscle relaxers and advised me to take it easy for a couple of weeks–a very appropriate response.
A colleague of mine who went to her doctor for pain in her hip got a less appropriate response. The doctor simply advised her to lose weight. He didn’t discuss different options for increasing her comfort in the meantime. It was clear he didn’t care about her pain. All he cared about was her weight.
And that’s just plain wrong. Yes, I know certain health problems are exacerbated by being heavy. And I certainly don’t mind a doctor offering his or her best advice. What I object to is a doctor looking at only one part of the totality, one number of the whole equation. Yes, my friend is heavy, but she also has an old hip injury and significant joint disease which contribute to her pain. The doctor didn’t even mention–much less address–those factors.
Fat-phobia is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices. For this reason, many people who are fat experience considerable discrimination, often from the very people we trust to manage our health. If you’re heavy, by all means inform yourself about the health risks you may face, but don’t let a doctor refuse to treat your conditions or symptoms simply because of your weight. Fat or thin, you still have the right to high-quality, respectful health care.
