‘Is it normal?’ A simple question that often lacks an easy answer

Abstract

Anyone experiencing a change in bodily function must ask ‘is this normal or is it a manifestation of a serious disease’? Often the answer will be obvious, but not always; individuals may delay seeking medical advice until they believe their condition is ‘doctorable’, worthy of utilising a physician’s time. 1 The problems are greatest at the extremes of age. First, any problems will arise in bodies that are anyway undergoing a series of often quite marked changes that are entirely normal. Young children experience marked changes in body size and shape and in the ability to do things, such as walk and control their bodily functions. Very old people may also experience changes, but in the opposite direction as they lose body mass from muscles and bones; they become unable to do things that once were easy, again including walking and controlling their bodily functions. Second, those at the extremes of age are also often dependent on others to recognise the changes to their bodies, to interpret them, and to determine which may require responses by health professionals and which are ‘normal’.