Hello and thanks for reading today’s blog. As I was taking my daily journey through Pinterest, Google and e-mail, I discovered an article with an acronym that I was unfamiliar with. I decided to take a minute and look it up. Maybe I’m the last one to know however, I wondered what the heck is “FOFO?”
NO SPRING CHICKEN
Needless to say, I’m no spring chicken which means I’m not necessarily up on my slang, acronyms and abbreviations. Ask any millennial, Gen Z or newly emerging Gen Alpha. Our vernacular couldn’t be any different. Being a baby boomer, “Dope” meant something different than it does now, right? So, what is FOFO?
THANKS TO ABBREVIATIONS.COM
There are a few different definitions I found when I looked up FOFO ranging from describing a Magnum 44 Handgun to something fluffy, cuddly and cute. The acronym is used as a meaning for “Full on Freak Out,” “Find Out for Oneself,” and “Franchisee Owned Franchisee Operated,” but the one that interested me is “Fear of Finding Out.” The question is, do you have it?
FOFO
In the medical community, FOFO describes a psychological barrier that prohibits someone from seeking medical advice or attention. I have a friend who lacks the motivation to get checkups, screenings or routine tests. She actually said, “If I have something wrong with me, I don’t want to know.” Yikes!
FEAR
Fear and anxiety especially when it is health care related can be a huge obstacle to overcome. We understand that in many cases, early detection saves lives. Nobody wants the dreaded diagnosis, however delaying or avoiding seeking medical advice, or ignoring a symptom or concern can have detrimental consequences. Understanding, knowledge, support and planning are a few ways to ease FOFO.
IATROPHOBIA
My.clevelandclinic.org taught me something today. Iatrophobia which is a term that describes the fear of doctors or medical tests. The word originates from the Greek word “iatros” which means healer and “Phobos,” which means fear. In some instances, iatrophobia can cause extreme anxiety or panic attacks. We have often heard this referred to as “White Coat Syndrome.”
FEAR OF THE WHITE COAT
MedicalNewsToday says white coat syndrome or white coat hypertension can develop when a person is around medical professionals who often wear white lab coats. Even those with normal blood pressure find it spikes when a healthcare professional takes a measurement. This can occasionally make a person’s blood pressure read higher than usual potentially leading to an incorrect diagnosis. On the other hand, high readings at the doctor’s office may be a sign of an underlying blood pressure condition.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
FOFO is a real thing. It is important to identify it and find a way to manage it. It is far better to be safe than sorry. Diagnostic ultrasound it an invaluable tool in helping your healthcare provider identify potential underlying conditions. Knowledge is power. It we at HDD can help, don’t hesitate to call us at 505-350-3397.