Health concepts

To understand health tourism, it is better to first understand the concept of health. The word health means prevention, treatment, disease management and maintaining mental and physical health during the provision of professional medical and nursing services. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), health is having complete physical, mental and social conditions and not having any disease or disability, which includes preventive, therapeutic and disease mitigation interventions. (Who, 1984)

Dimensions of health:
According to the definition of health (WHO definition), we realize that health is a multi-dimensional issue, even today, in addition to the physical, mental and social dimensions, the spiritual aspect is also considered. And it should be noted that different dimensions of health or illness affect each other and are influenced by each other. If physical problems affect a person's psyche, mental problems affect his body, and both of them affect the society, and the disorders in the society affect both other dimensions of health, so the measures taken to improve health should be taken into account all aspects of individual health (physical and mental and spiritual) and the general health of society.

Here, to simplify the matter, we describe the different dimensions of health separately, although they are practically indistinguishable from each other.

What is the definition of physical health?
 physical health
The most common dimension of health is physical health, which can be evaluated more easily than other dimensions of health. Physical health is actually caused by the proper functioning of body parts. From a biological point of view, the proper functioning of body cells and organs and their coordination is a sign of physical health.
As an example, some of the signs of physical health are: good and normal appearance, proper weight, sufficient appetite, comfortable and regular sleep, regular bowel movements, not drawing attention to body parts by the person himself, proper body, coordinated body movements, naturalness. Pulse and blood pressure and proper weight gain in growing age and relatively stable weight in older age
A person who is in good physical health is likely to have their bodily functions and processes working at their peak. This is not only due to the absence of disease, but regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate rest all contribute to good health. People receive medical treatment if necessary to maintain balance.

Physical wellness involves following a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of disease. For example, maintaining physical fitness can protect a person's respiratory endurance and heart function, muscle strength, flexibility, and body composition.

Good physical health can work together with mental health to improve people's overall quality of life.
For example, according to a 2008 study, mental illnesses, such as depression, may increase the risk of substance use disorders. This can negatively affect physical health.

What is the definition of mental health?
mental health
It is obvious that measuring mental health will be more difficult than physical health. It is not only the absence of mental illness that is considered here, but the ability to adapt to environmental conditions, having the appropriate reaction to life's problems and incidents is an important aspect of mental health. Another thing that should be mentioned here is that many mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, etc. affect physical health and there is a mutual relationship between mental and physical illnesses. Some signs of mental health are:
A person's compatibility with himself and others, correct judgment in dealing with issues, having a spirit of criticism and having appropriate performance in dealing with problems.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, mental health refers to a person's emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Mental health is just as important as physical health as part of a well-rounded and active lifestyle.

Mental health is more difficult to define than physical health because many psychological diagnoses depend on a person's understanding of their experience.

However, with advances in testing, doctors can now identify some of the physical symptoms of some types of mental illness on CT scans and genetic tests.
Good mental health is not defined solely by the absence of depression, anxiety, or another disorder. It also depends on the ability of the person:
Enjoying the life
Adapting oneself to all kinds of different conditions in life (especially the conditions of problems and hardships in life)
Creating balance in different elements of life such as family and finances
Feeling safe and calm
Achieving your full potential

Mental health plays a role in maintaining the general health and well-being of people as much as physical health. Mental health is ensured when a person is mentally at peace. One of the ways to ensure mental health is to avoid everyday stress. Although the mental health of many of us is affected by stress and many of us may say that avoiding stress is not such an easy task.
Mental health is an issue that unfortunately is not given much importance in many societies, and if a person is asked to go to a psychiatrist or psychologist to check his mental health, that person will react negatively to seeing a doctor. This is despite the fact that discussing mental health along with physical health is one of the basic pillars of maintaining health and well-being in many developed countries. In general, relaxation, along with emotion management and self-awareness, are among the basic principles of maintaining mental health. We can talk about our mental health when we know that we have the ability to control our emotions, especially negative and sudden emotions.

Ignoring mental health can lead to the following disorders:
Physical disorders
Psychopathy
Social disorders

What is the definition of spiritual health?
mental health
One of the main causes of mental illnesses and problems and their physical and social complications is the feeling of emptiness, futility and mental instability, which is caused by the lack of spiritual dimension in people. Having faith, being purposeful in life, moral adherence, cooperation, having good faith and paying more attention to the spiritual issues of life will reduce anxiety, mental instability and complications caused by it.
Spiritual, emotional and financial health also contribute to overall health. Medical experts associate these things with reducing stress levels and improving mental and physical health.
For example, people in better financial health may worry less about finances and have the means to buy fresh food regularly. Those with good spiritual health may experience a sense of calm and purpose that promotes mental health.

Health disparities affect us all differently.

Physical and mental health are strongly related. For example, if a chronic illness affects a person's ability to perform regular tasks, it may lead to depression and stress. These feelings can be due to financial problems or mobility problems.
A mental illness, such as depression or anorexia, can affect body weight and overall performance.

It is important to look at "health" as a whole, not as a series of separate factors. All types of health are interconnected and overlapping, and people should aim for overall well-being and balance as the key to good health.

One of the most important and according to many sociologists and politicians the most important pillar of sustainable development in all societies is progress and prosperity, physical and mental health. The position of physical and mental health had never been studied and analyzed until the last two decades, so that in several statements of the World Health Organization and other similar institutions, the most important duty of governments is to maintain and promote health. It is the same. Even maintaining security, which many governments consider to be the first priority, is not possible without a healthy workforce, but how is it possible to maintain and improve physical and mental health? The answer to this question is not so simple. There are many experiences from successful and unsuccessful countries.

Wise and effective recommendations and solutions are also prepared and sometimes implemented. However, the level of physical and mental health in different countries has a strange variety and a huge difference.