Taking Back Your Health

Lessons from a Physician, Patient, and Caregiver

I’ve had the privilege—and challenge—of seeing healthcare from multiple perspectives. As a physician, I’ve worked in clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, and nursing homes. As a caregiver, I’ve been responsible for family members navigating the system. As a patient, I’ve experienced firsthand what it means to be vulnerable—intubated in an ICU, relying on others for survival.

These experiences have shaped my view of modern healthcare. Despite all the scientific breakthroughs and technological advances, something critical is missing: true care. The system is algorithmic, a conveyor belt designed for efficiency but not necessarily for patient well-being.

Even as a physician, when I was inside the system advocating for a family member,  I was shocked by the lack of information available to me, even as an “insider.”  I was instead essentially patronized by those who ” know better.”  Fine. Good. That just provided me with more empathy for other families, and a lesson on how not to interact as a physician with clients. 

Healthcare is treated as a numbers game, a business where the latest research and best practices are often dictated by funding, but not about how patients or clients really progress- do they understand and are given the tools to improve as they recover from illness?  Overburdened staff do their best, but they are stretched too thin to offer meaningful guidance.

Hospitals and rehab centers are great for handling immediate emergencies—plugging the dam, so to speak. But when it comes to education, long-term wellness, and proactive recovery, the system falls short. Patients are sent home with minimal guidance, left to figure things out on their own or rely on primary care follow-ups that may never happen.

As chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disease, GI and auto-immune disease continue to progress, most people find themselves on the “slippery slope.”  Whether trying to do this on their own at home or in long-term care facilities, a shortage of understanding and of caregivers means that people spend most of their time sitting or in bed. Regular exercise remains elusive,  nutritional support is lacking, emotional and social needs are also often unmet, and overall health declines rapidly, including cognitive/mental health.

In addition, the system expects outpatient follow-up for crucial aspects of care that often never materialize. Even when deficiencies are identified—like poor nutrition or vitamin deficiencies—the default response is to follow up with your doctor later. But later never comes for many. 

This is why I shifted my focus.  In this traditional system, even if I could identify needs, they were often not considered “medically necessary” or there was not a way to implement them.

I determined that the best way to help people as they age or become ill is to address health before it declines.  You might think- that already exists.  But does it? Really?   How many understand why they have high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease?  Just part of ” normal aging?”  NO.

In fact, if most had the tools to understand their own bodies, take charge of their health, they could prevent unnecessary suffering.

The truth is, your body can heal—but ironically, hospitals and long-term care facilities are often not the places for that to happen. Healing takes movement, nourishment, and support, things that are scarce in institutional settings.

I became a physician to help people. But I’ve realized that the best way to do that isn’t through the traditional model—it’s by stepping outside of it. Not everyone will want this, and that’s okay. But for those who see the urgency, and who understand the importance of proactive health, I’m here.

You don’t have to wait for a crisis. Start now. Learn about your body. Make the changes today that will give you strength and independence for years to come.

This means you not only learn about your unique health needs, but also OWN them- you keep the data, have access to it whenever you want, because it’s yours. You should be able to follow up on lab work as needed, not when insurance says so. You should also have understanding and options to choose medical grade supplements, detox, learn alternative nutritional options for healing, and have coaching support as part of your health ownership.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to connect. Let’s take back control of our health, together.

Here is a simple example of a 10-Day Healthy Habits Challenge to start. 

Give it a try, and let me know what you think! 

In Health & Wellness, 

Jill Castro, MD

Intentional Living Health & Wellness

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