Maintaining overall health

[zidrem]

Hi everyone,

So I'm about to graduate with my engineering degree from a top university in the US and I am planning on moving to Shanghai afterwards to start my career. I've lived there for over a year, speak mandarin fluently, and have a huge network of friends there who are helping me with the whole job-search process (I'm not willing to teach English). I also have a place to stay and all of that.

In any case I am extremely excited to move to shanghai in a couple of months - I love it there, but the issue of health in China is a concern for me and it is the one thing that makes me doubt whether I'll be able to make it there comfortably.

Whenever I am in Shanghai I kind of consistently have digestive problems on-and-off. My Chinese friends tell me it is probably because I eat out all of the time, and that if they eat out too often they get sick as well. I am also a little concerned about the air-quality there. Certainly it has improved significantly over the last few years, but it still isn't too great (given what I saw a month ago). It does seem - however - that the apparent pollution isn't actual chemical pollution, but just dust from the ridiculous amount of construction.

Anyway, I just wanted to see what opinions any of you - as foreigners living in china (particularly Shanghai) - have regarding your health. Have you managed to overcome digestive issues? How have you done that? Do you feel that the pollution is actually a problem? Do you feel as though your health has diminished at all in general? Or is everything reasonably okay and you don't feel that your health has been affected?

I really appreciate all of your time and insight. I just want to know if my concerns are valid. I am kind of a very health-conscious person, and if I feel as though I can't feel physically in-order there, then I will probably come back to the US and go to medical school here. Just want to know what to expect and what tips you have to avoid health problems!

Thank you!

[gato]

Though I don't have any digestive problems, I do think the air quality is terrible here, just as it is in most other cities in China. I'm not sure what else to say other than that your concerns are very valid. It's a very personal decision, and you just have to weigh the trade-offs.

[Meng Lelan]

Go to medical school first, then go to Shanghai to be a pulmonologist, you will have no lack of work plus you can make a case about the effect of air quality on health. I'm not trying to be funny. You really could make a difference.

[roddy]

If you've lived there for a year, you pretty much know what to expect - as Gato says, it's your call. I'd worry about air quality more than the food - you can control what you eat, but when it comes to breathing you more or less have to take what you're given.

[chrix]

SCNR, at some point, the expats will start not just having their food shipped to China, but their oxygen supply as well

[anonymoose]

Air quality can be variable, but generally, I don't think it's too bad in Shanghai compared to other cities. It also depends on where you are. Pudong tends to be a little cleaner than Puxi.

As for food, I rarely have any problems. I tend to stay away from street vendors, and neither do I go to fancy western food restaurants.

[Madot]

I've been in Zhengzhou for 3 months now. It is not a city known for its cleanliness or healthiness, BUt I have never felt healthier in my life. I eat at the university and also out, in restaurants and at street stalls and I've never had any problems at all. Over the years I have had many respiratory problems (bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy), so I was worried about this, but I haven't even had a cold. I lived for 3 months in Beijing and had no problem there either. Yes, just annecdotal evidence, but you can probably find the bare statistics online. if you want them. Just go for it! :-)

Mado

[adrianlondon]

Chinese food is healthy in the way that drugs are. You feel great and you're unlikely to get fat, but ... well, they're full of dodgy chemicals ;)

The air, even when it looks clear, can be full of all sorts of nasties. Personally, I don't think living in China for a long time is a good idea, but short term your body should be able to cope. As to what a long time is ... that no doubt depends on how much you're enjoying the life here. I'd guess over 5 years. But it's very personal.

[zidrem]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all of the fast replies - this is really a very helpful and friendly community here!

Based on the responses it seems food isn't something I have to worry about too much. I probably just had been sick before because I was extremely reckless before in terms of the kinds of foods I ate, where I ate, and the water I drank.

I guess the pollution is lousy but isn't a complete impasse. I should probably be able to deal with it for the short term (<5 years), and it does seem to be improving. I know at least most of my Chinese friends are very concerned about their health and the environment and such; it seems like efforts are being made to clear up the air in Shanghai especially.

I'll definitely take the plunge. Worst case-scenario I can't deal with the food/air at all and just come back to the US to go to med school after a year. If - on the other hand - I feel like the conditions are okay for a more long-term time period, then I can hang around longer and carry on with life

Thank you again for the advice everyone! If anyone else has any comments (anecdotal or otherwise), please feel free to chip in!

[adrianlondon]

I met a guy last night, from the UK, who's lived in China for over 20 years. He's into keeping himself fit and goes jogging in the newly extended Chaoyang Park and says most of the decent gyms have air filtration built into the aircon systems.

He's pretty healthy for someone who lived in Shenzhen for 8 years and Beijing for almost 15.