The practice of medicine: What's wrong with it?

[Villages PL]

I'm not sure; I've been doing some reading and trying to learn. What I've come up with so far is that MDs treat symptoms rather than getting to the root of the problem.

Here's an example: Years ago I got to know a friend of the family. His arteries where slowly getting clogged. His doctor told him he needed a stint so he complied. Every so many years he would get another stint. And finally the doctor told him he couldn't get anymore stints, he needed a bypass operation.

This is good repeat business for the doctor. He just sits back and waits for all of these procedures to be needed.

It might be the same with blood sugar issues. I always had blood sugar that was in a normal range. Then on one test, a couple of years ago, my blood test result was 100. According to the lab it was the highest it could be and still be in normal range. It was higher than usual but my doctor didn't say anything about it. I decide on my own to take action and got my number down on my next blood test.

That, in my opinion, is how medicine is practiced. The doctor just sits back and waits for trouble to unfold. When and if it gets bad enough, he/she will prescribe medication. Instead of being proactive they are reactive.

It was the same with my thyroid: I stopped using iodized salt because I thought Real Salt would be healthier. Real Salt is a non-processed salt that is available in health food stores and has no added iodine. Little did I realize that I might be subject to an iodine deficiency and proper thyroid function requires a supply of iodine. When I got tested for the first time for thyroid function, my TSH was above 8 which indicates that I was hypothyroid. He said there would be one more test in 3 months to make sure it wasn't a lab error. If the next test had the same result he would start prescribing medication that I would have to take for the rest of my life.

When I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to get my thyroid function back to normal, he said, "No, it's just something that happens as we get older."
But when I got some library books on the subject of thyroid, I soon learned there were some things I could do. So I made some changes in my diet and on my next blood test my TSH was cut in half, a little over four.

When I first heard about the plan to build the Villages Clinics, to revolutionize health care, I had high hopes that they were going to make some changes to address this issue of just being reactive, waiting for symptoms to show up so they could prescribe medication. When I heard that the doctors would have plenty of time to talk to patients, to get to know them, I thought it meant "the whole person" - the whole lifestyle.

But now I no longer think that's the case. Am I wrong?

[sunnyatlast]

"That, in my opinion, is how medicine is practiced. The doctor just sits back and waits for trouble to unfold. When and if it gets bad enough, he/she will prescribe medication. Instead of being proactive they are reactive."

No. It's the other way around. Patients themselves are the ones who choose when to go to the dr. or not, and whether to actually follow doctor's orders.

I know people who decide to avoid going to the dr. and who avoid doing what they're told, because some radio or t.v. "dr" said this or that broad statement. I know people who have decided to take themselves off needed medicines because their neighbor's mother-in-law in Timbuktu was taken off that med for reasons specific only to her.

Some probably even consult TOTV and then decide to eliminate all foods that taste good to themselves, because this one guy who's not a dr. posts a lot about how terrible our food intakes are.

[Villages PL]

No. It's the other way around. Patients themselves are the ones who choose when to go to the dr. or not, and whether to actually follow doctor's orders.

My opening post was intended for people who actually go to see their doctor on a regular basis, not for people who don't go. Speaking of "doctor's orders" I'd like to know if doctors at the clinics are giving any orders other than "take your medicine".

[ping]

Doctors are the product of Medical Schools. They are not trained in preventative medicine. Prescribe drugs to cure all your ills....eat a balanced diet (oxymoron), exercise is their only advise. They don't think outside the box. Medicine is not an exact science. Therefore, you are smart to research everything and combine your knowledge with theirs. Might just find your own cure....as you already proved. You're in partnership with your doctor...but don't expect them to prescribe alternative medicine...it's not their area of expertise.

[rubicon]

You pose a question whose answer is so varied and complex that the word "depends"can be inserted often.

First depends on how and where doctors were trained.

Second depends on how and where the doctor works i.e their policies

Third depends on how the insurance company involved interacts with the doctor.

Fourth depends on how the government interacts with the doctor.

Basically far too many agencies and insurance companies are interfering with the doctor/patient relationship. The demand for a paperless medical record is a good thing but it has compromised the relationship because the doctor is so involved with recording the event that the doctor has little time even to study a patient's body language, essential in medical investigation because the doctor is on a computer. A side bar the cost for this technology is very expensive.

You made mention of salt and because of warnings went to a slat substitute.
A recent study now indicates that too little salt actually increases chances of heart attack and stroke. Experts also claim now that meat (beef) protein is essential and that people who do not eat meat risk becoming anemic. I do not advance n argument here but just want to illustrate that experts are sometimes the problem

Personally i believe until the government began meddling with our health care system that while ot perfect it was better than the rest. Now with ACA
the health industry is getting turned upside down which has created problems for everyone and will cost policyholders much more with more stop losses such deductibles coinsurnce and premium. Welcome to utopia

[graciegirl]

Thank God for good doctors, it is the responsibility of each of us to find them.

I think the answer to your problem is buying a television.

[pleverich]

I was once told that doctors today have only two tools: a pen with which to write prescriptions and a scalpel.

[Villages PL]

Thank God for good doctors, which there are very few.

I think the answer to your problem is buying a television.

Yes, if the doctor had taken the time to get to know me better he might have written a prescription for a big flat-screen TV. And then if my HMO would cover the cost (TV + monthly cable bill) I would gladly comply. :)

[marianne237]

Hubby and I were just talking about this yesterday. His doc up north actually visited him while DH was in the hospital. He followed the charts and records that were ordered, and then discovered a major problem that showed up in hospital reports and tests. This problem would not have made an "appearance" for a number of years if not correctly diagnosed when it was. DH is on meds for the rest of his life to keep this serious situation under control. Our doctor was really concerned and cared.

We both visit our doc in TV area regularly, have the requested tests when its time, but still wonder if he and we are doing all that can be done to keep us healthy. The concern and care doesn't feel the same.

[Barefoot]

Doctors are the product of Medical Schools. They are not trained in preventative medicine. You're in partnership with your doctor...but don't expect them to prescribe alternative medicine...it's not their area of expertise.

Unfortunately, I think most doctors take the "easy way out" by prescribing medication rather than delving deep into a patient's history.
They just don't have time.
As more Boomers become Wrinklies, the health system will become even busier.
Files get lost, results are misinterpreted, we need to keep copies of all test results.
We need to schedule mammograms and colonoscopies and bone density tests.
Luckily there are many health-related classes and clubs and lectures available in The Villages.
I think that self education is the key to maintaining good health as we age.

[courtyard]

It was the same with my thyroid: I stopped using iodized salt because I thought Real Salt would be healthier. Real Salt is a non-processed salt that is available in health food stores and has no added iodine. Little did I realize that I might be subject to an iodine deficiency and proper thyroid function requires a supply of iodine. When I got tested for the first time for thyroid function, my TSH was above 8 which indicates that I was hypothyroid. He said there would be one more test in 3 months to make sure it wasn't a lab error. If the next test had the same result he would start prescribing medication that I would have to take for the rest of my life.

When I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to get my thyroid function back to normal, he said, "No, it's just something that happens as we get older."
But when I got some library books on the subject of thyroid, I soon learned there were some things I could do. So I made some changes in my diet and on my next blood test my TSH was cut in half, a little over four.

I'VE BEEN USING "REAL SALT" FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ALSO. WHAT THINGS DID YOU DO TO CUT YOUR TSH IN HALF.

[tippyclubb]

It was the same with my thyroid: I stopped using iodized salt because I thought Real Salt would be healthier. Real Salt is a non-processed salt that is available in health food stores and has no added iodine. Little did I realize that I might be subject to an iodine deficiency and proper thyroid function requires a supply of iodine. When I got tested for the first time for thyroid function, my TSH was above 8 which indicates that I was hypothyroid. He said there would be one more test in 3 months to make sure it wasn't a lab error. If the next test had the same result he would start prescribing medication that I would have to take for the rest of my life.

When I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to get my thyroid function back to normal, he said, "No, it's just something that happens as we get older."
But when I got some library books on the subject of thyroid, I soon learned there were some things I could do. So I made some changes in my diet and on my next blood test my TSH was cut in half, a little over four.

I'VE BEEN USING "REAL SALT" FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ALSO. WHAT THINGS DID YOU DO TO CUT YOUR TSH IN HALF.

I would also like to know what changes you made for your tsh. According to my doctor over 4 is high and keeps my level between 1-3. 1 being ideal, which is where I am now. How did you feel when your tsh was 8?

[billethkid]

But why do they call it PRACTICE?

[dbanks50]

To me the key word here is "practicing." They run a boatload of test and diagnose through process of elimination. Also, now everything requires a specialist. I never went to an OBG-YN. My family doctor did it all - even my husband's vasectomy. No telling what specialist does that now.

[NYGUY]

....What I've come up with so far is that MDs treat symptoms rather than getting to the root of the problem....

Waiting for and treating symptoms is the way medicine is taught and practiced in the U.S. It is my understanding that in Europe, medicine is pro-actively practiced (i.e. doing certain tests at certain times of an individuals life cycle). The European approach makes more sense to me.

[KayakerNC]

The biggest problem with medical practice, IMHO, is certain "Snake-Oil" doctors looking to become millionaire celebrities.

Dr. Manny: Celebrity turns a good doctor into a snake oil pitchman | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/06/18/dr-manny-senate-panel-exposes-dr-oz-for-what-is-sell-out/)

[sunnyatlast]

The biggest problem with medical practice, IMHO, is certain "Snake-Oil" doctors looking to become millionaire celebrities.

Dr. Manny: Celebrity turns a good doctor into a snake oil pitchman | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/06/18/dr-manny-senate-panel-exposes-dr-oz-for-what-is-sell-out/)

A dr. or other Joe Schmoe can't become a "millionaire celebrity" without millions of gullible, lazy listeners and viewers who'll spend their money once indoctrinated.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The biggest problem with medical practice, IMHO, is certain "Snake-Oil" doctors looking to become millionaire celebrities.

Dr. Manny: Celebrity turns a good doctor into a snake oil pitchman | Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/06/18/dr-manny-senate-panel-exposes-dr-oz-for-what-is-sell-out/)

And a lot of doctors just want to make millions by writing book about nutrition which they often know nothing about.

[sunnyatlast]

And a lot of doctors just want to make millions by writing book about nutrition which they often know nothing about.

Dr. won't make millions unless millions of people buy it.

[Nursebarb1]

I am a retired RN and my son-in-law is a practicing anesthesiologist at a teaching hospital, so I like to think I have some insight into the problem. Physicians that are emplyed by a corporation are required to see a certain amount of patients in a specified period of time according to their contract. That does not allow time to chit chat about the grandkids. We are all advised to watch our diet, exercise, not smoke and cut the alcohol, get our required immunizations, mammograms, bone density, colonoscopies and prostate screenings. Beyond that, we are on our own until an abnormality appears in our routine lab work or a problem arises, at which point he/she will order additional testing. I don't expect much more from a physician. Marcus Welby when by the way of the HMO.

[Barefoot]

A dr. or other Joe Schmoe can't become a "millionaire celebrity" without millions of gullible, lazy listeners and viewers who'll spend their money once indoctrinated.

Enter Dr. Oz. When he "recommends" a product on his television show, the health-food stores immediately sell out of that product.

[jebartle]

PRACTICE...If this doesn't work, try something else...giggle

[OBXNana]

We have a very dear friend that will be retiring from medicine in September. This is an Internist that treats primarily those 40 and above. He has learned technology to keep up with the paperless world. He is old enough to retire, but is still mentally and physically sharp. Plus, his patients love him. The reason he is retiring is the corporate world. In the late 1970's he was still making house calls. His schedule for seeing patients varied on how much time the patient needed. In our area, physicians joined together to form practices and this worked well for multiple reasons. Then physician groups had to join hospitals to remain competitive with malpractice insurance costs, accepting of patient insurance, and simple logistics for the fast moving world.

So why is he feeling the need to retire? The system requires him to see a certain number of patients within the normal day. If Fred needs to talk about his recently departed wife and his anxiety, it needs to happen in the amount of time allotted. Medicine goes beyond the blood test and rests on the physician listening to the patient. He can no longer practice medicine in a time slot of 5 minutes to remain within the standards set by the hospital and in his mind, has fought the battle, and feels he has lost.

A good man will no longer get to practice medicine and many patients are losing an amazing physician. I'm certain this is not an isolated case. As a patient we have to fit into the time slot the corporate world has said must be met in order to make a profit.

[aussiemom]

It is hard to find a doctor that doesn't just keep prescribing pills for this, procedures for that. Many patients are to blame because that is what they insist they want from their doctors. That is an individual's choice and not saying it is right or wrong. For them, that is the right choice. However, if this isn't what you want for your healthcare, then you need to find a doctor who practices modern medicine, but integrates alternative treatments. Who looks at your body as a whole, and not just looking at a symptom and covering it up with meds. More and more doctors are starting to realize this but finding one who actually does this isn't easy, however, it will become more common in the future. But for now you won't find one here in TV, believe me, I have looked. After a lot of looking, I just recently (FINALLY) found a great Internist in Ocala, with a 5 star rating, who does practice integrative medicine. He is not a Dr Oz or Joe Schmoe trying to indoctrinate his patients. All I can say is what a breath of fresh air from my past doctors. Wish there were more around like him.

[Vinny]

When they get it right and stop practicing, I will put more faith into doctors. I change doctors every two years because I do not treat them as gods. I refuse test for things that I have no symptoms of. They always seem to want to test you for the in test of the year. I have a family history of heart attacks and yet no one suggested any tests for my heart. Instead they want the colonoscopy and other test that they make a fortune from, even though no one in my family has had cancer and they all have lived into their late 90's, without going to the doctor regularly. I have not been sick in 15 years, not even a cold and yet they keep pushing their test and when I refuse, they engage me in debate and basically try to bully me into doing what they say.

The doctors in TV are so used to compliant patients who will do whatever they say that they expect all their patients to be like that. The other issue I have is that I am not on Medicare and yet they try to push tests that they know Medicare pays for but I have a big deductible on my private policy that must be satisfied before my insurance kicks in. It is amazing how they push something and once you tell them that it is not covered by insurance, it is not important anymore.

I do not like to be bullied by doctors. They are not gods and their egos often prevent them from sending you to someone more qualified. I have high blood pressure that previous doctors told me is drug resistant. When I told my doctor that, he dismissed it as he did my suggestion that I see a specialist. He pooh poohed that idea stating that he knows more. Then he proceeded to prescribe the same exact drugs that I had been put on before with no success and lots of side effects with the same negative results. I left him and will try doctor number 5 in the last 4 years here.

[Villages PL]

It was the same with my thyroid: I stopped using iodized salt because I thought Real Salt would be healthier. Real Salt is a non-processed salt that is available in health food stores and has no added iodine. Little did I realize that I might be subject to an iodine deficiency and proper thyroid function requires a supply of iodine. When I got tested for the first time for thyroid function, my TSH was above 8 which indicates that I was hypothyroid. He said there would be one more test in 3 months to make sure it wasn't a lab error. If the next test had the same result he would start prescribing medication that I would have to take for the rest of my life.

When I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to get my thyroid function back to normal, he said, "No, it's just something that happens as we get older."
But when I got some library books on the subject of thyroid, I soon learned there were some things I could do. So I made some changes in my diet and on my next blood test my TSH was cut in half, a little over four.

I'VE BEEN USING "REAL SALT" FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ALSO. WHAT THINGS DID YOU DO TO CUT YOUR TSH IN HALF.

1) Probably the most important thing I did was to start using some iodized salt again.

2) From my reading I learned that certain vegetables, especially when eaten raw, will block the absorption of iodine. There's a long list of items that I don't have handy at this time. But the list includes vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables should be cooked.

If you want to do a search, these vegetables are called goitrogens

3) I started eating 3 jumbo size eggs (Egglands Best) per week because I figured they were a good source of iodine. I have since discontinued eating the eggs in favor of taking half a kelp tablet every other day.

4) I'm taking half of a kelp tablet every other day but I'm not sure how much I really need. The next time I get a blood test for thyroid function I might be better able to tell. I figure with half a tablet every other day, I'm playing it safe because too much iodine can be as bad a not getting enough.

Of course everyone is different so what works for me may not work for you. Proceed with caution. Good luck.

[Villages PL]

I would also like to know what changes you made for your tsh. According to my doctor over 4 is high and keeps my level between 1-3. 1 being ideal, which is where I am now. How did you feel when your tsh was 8?

Good question. This is really strange; when my TSH was over 8 I felt perfectly fine. In one of my thyroid books I read a long list of symptoms pertaining to hyperthyroid. I had none of the symptoms. For example, not only was I not overweight, I was at my ideal weight with a BMI of 18. I wasn't cold all the time and I didn't lack energy etc.

Yes, over 4 is considered high but I found some information online that recommends we should go by how we feel. I don't have that information handy at this time.

From memory it goes something like this: If you restrict calories by not eating high-calorie processed foods, your metabolism will slow down considerably. And when your metabolism slows down your thyroid function does the same. It may have some implications for longevity: When they tested a large group of centenarians, they all had slow thyroids.

Admittedly, it's a bit complicated so I'm not completely settled on what my TSH should be. Should I try for a lower TSH? The accepted TSH number is based on averages taken from a large population of people. Should I try to be like everyone else? Is there a downside to not getting it lower?

In the mean time I feel well so I'm not going to worry about it.

[Villages PL]

Waiting for and treating symptoms is the way medicine is taught and practiced in the U.S. It is my understanding that in Europe, medicine is pro-actively practiced (i.e. doing certain tests at certain times of an individuals life cycle). The European approach makes more sense to me.

Here's something you might find interesting. A lot of high school foreign exchange students came to the Villages from Germany, Italy and one other country, I think it was France. They all showed up at Lake Sumter Town Square for a rally. There was music and they were trying their luck at line dancing. (I don't go to the square very often but that night I happened to be there to buy a new wrist watch.)

Anyway, to get to the point, out of a large group of about 100 kids, none of them were overweight. They were all lean and I would estimate their average BMI to be about 18. That's fantastic, how do they do it? Is it due to the European pro-active approach?

[Villages PL]

And a lot of doctors just want to make millions by writing book about nutrition which they often know nothing about.

Especially books that may be funded by industry. Any industry can hire a doctor to write a book or give a doctor grant money under the table.

[pbkmaine]

My husband worked for European companies for more than 40 years. What he and I have observed: Europeans move more than Americans. They ride bikes and they walk everywhere. Their cities grew up before the age of the auto, so are more accessible than ours. Europeans also linger over meals, eating a wide range of foods over a long period of time. I think both customs help.

[Villages PL]

I am a retired RN and my son-in-law is a practicing anesthesiologist at a teaching hospital, so I like to think I have some insight into the problem. Physicians that are emplyed by a corporation are required to see a certain amount of patients in a specified period of time according to their contract. That does not allow time to chit chat about the grandkids. We are all advised to watch our diet, exercise, not smoke and cut the alcohol, get our required immunizations, mammograms, bone density, colonoscopies and prostate screenings. Beyond that, we are on our own until an abnormality appears in our routine lab work or a problem arises, at which point he/she will order additional testing. I don't expect much more from a physician. Marcus Welby when by the way of the HMO.

According to a recent Daily Sun article, 55% of Americans don't think they are overweight and have no plans to try to lose any weight. However, two thirds of Americans are overweight. Therefore, telling patients to "watch their diet" is not very helpful.

Arnold Schwarzenegger once said: "I watch what I eat. I watch it, and then I eat it.";)

[Villages PL]

Then physician groups had to join hospitals to remain competitive with malpractice insurance costs, accepting of patient insurance, and simple logistics for the fast moving world.

In case anyone doubts it: There's a new book that just came out, "Where Does It Hurt" by Jonathan Bush. It tells about what's going on in the health care industry. Bush says that physician groups and individual practices are being bought up by hospitals by the hundreds.

So if you go to a doctor you might not be sure if the doctor is looking out for your best interests or the financial interests of the hospital. I don't think the doctor is going to tell you that his/her practice is owned by a hospital. So if you're told that you need an operation, you might want to give it some thought and get a second opinion.

[rubicon]

My husband worked for European companies for more than 40 years. What he and I have observed: Europeans move more than Americans. They ride bikes and they walk everywhere. Their cities grew up before the age of the auto, so are more accessible than ours. Europeans also linger over meals, eating a wide range of foods over a long period of time. I think both customs help.

The America I grew up in we did all of the above. But we wanted more for our kids and they for their kids, etc . The problem is, too many of us, made lousy choices Our parents discipline worked for us but we leaned toward Dr. Spock and today we have helicopter parents and all of the truism rom our childhood days have been erased.

We moved from the family doctor to the corporate form of medicine which main goal is to profit first. Government and insurance demands exacerbate this situation. So if a medical student starts out with the belief of healing the sick he/she quickly learns that such an attitude is the trailing concern.

If you are among the lucky ones to have a caring physician thank your God

I found three in eight years none who were primary care doctors. One cardiologist , one gastro, one ER

[tippyclubb]

Good question. This is really strange; when my TSH was over 8 I felt perfectly fine. In one of my thyroid books I read a long list of symptoms pertaining to hyperthyroid. I had none of the symptoms. For example, not only was I not overweight, I was at my ideal weight with a BMI of 18. I wasn't cold all the time and I didn't lack energy etc.

Yes, over 4 is considered high but I found some information online that recommends we should go by how we feel. I don't have that information handy at this time.

From memory it goes something like this: If you restrict calories by not eating high-calorie processed foods, your metabolism will slow down considerably. And when your metabolism slows down your thyroid function does the same. It may have some implications for longevity: When they tested a large group of centenarians, they all had slow thyroids.

Admittedly, it's a bit complicated so I'm not completely settled on what my TSH should be. Should I try for a lower TSH? The accepted TSH number is based on averages taken from a large population of people. Should I try to be like everyone else? Is there a downside to not getting it lower?

In the mean time I feel well so I'm not going to worry about it.

Your right if your feeling okay I would not worry about it either. Your body will let you know when it's time to take thyroid medication. I know when my medicine needs to be adjusted by the way I feel. For me tsh level is best kept at .1 - .3.

Years ago the suggested guidelines were 2.5 - .5 . I never felt good at .5. When the new guidelines came out and tsh was kept closer to .1 I feel much better.

Here's a interesting link to tsh guidelines. According to this article you are well within acceptable tsh limits.

http://www.thyroidskeptic.com/normal-tsh-range/

[Villages PL]

Your right if your feeling okay I would not worry about it either. Your body will let you know when it's time to take thyroid medication. I know when my medicine needs to be adjusted by the way I feel. For me tsh level is best kept at .1 - .3.

Years ago the suggested guidelines were 2.5 - .5 . I never felt good at .5. When the new guidelines came out and tsh was kept closer to .1 I feel much better.

Here's a interesting link to tsh guidelines. According to this article you are well within acceptable tsh limits.

http://www.thyroidskeptic.com/normal-tsh-range/


I enjoyed reading your link, especially were it says TSH between 4.5 and 10 need not be treated. A thyroid book that I bought says the same thing but I wasn't sure if I should believe it. I think I will now. Thanks.

[PennBF]

I have been through a lot of medical problems with my immediate family. One who needed it the most was a Head Nurse in a very well known hospital. In her first and second cancer we went to Lahey Clinic in Arlington, Mass.,Also went to Westchester medical center for their surgical dept. . In a couple of other incidents have gone to MD Anderson, the most well known and respected cancer hospital and in Houston, Texas. Have also been to Mayo Clinic/Hosipital in Jacksonville, If we have a moderate problem we will go to the Urgent Care in Lake Sumter but anything that has the chance of being serious we go to a major Hospital/Clinic. The reason is that it is not always the Dr. but the diagnosis that is critical. Years ago a Dr who was head of a Dept in Lahey Clinic told me that a key to medical treatment is the diagnosis. Once that is established almost any Dr can treat the problem. Also the policies and practices are critical. In major clinics there are practices where at the end of the week the Dr's in the Dept will bring up their more difficult problems and discuss them among the group of specialists. It is also a mystery as to when someone has a more than normal medical issue they rely on a local Dr. who may or may not have studied the condition in any detail.
We are only 3 hours from Mayo Clinic who can call on some pretty good specialists to assist in diagnosis. Why stay local? I can say I am a big fan of Lahey Clinic in Mass and like the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Some will spend hours/days deciding on a car but take no time to understand where the best medical facility is for their particular problem. The critical point is to understand and have the right diagnosis !!:read:

[perrjojo]

My son is a physician and if you ask him, he will tell you the problem with medicine is the patients. They don't take prescribed meds...they don't lose weight, they don't stop smoking, they don't stop drinking, they don't exercise, they don't eat a healthy diet. I guess it just depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

[lightworker888]

FYI the leading expert on Iodine and Salt is Dr Brownstein who has written and lectured extensively on both. I take Lugol's solution for iodine and 1/2 tsp of Himalayan sea salt daily in warm water first thing in the morning. There is a protocol for the iodine which includes complementary supplements and all the info is in his book which you can google. I am not one for testing but I do pay attention to how I am feeling. I do not use any other salt and use only pink or grey sea salt. I used to use Real Salt but I found it to be more white so I switched and I can get the pink Himalayan salt at my local bulk store.

I think that everyone has to choose the process of maintaining their health according to their own level of comfort. There are many choices and if you learn to listen to your inner voice and keep your eyes and ears open, you will be surprised at what you can discover. Notice what "resonates" with you and check it After all, you are the only one who is living your life and you are the only one who knows how it feels.

There is an Iodine group on yahoo that has lots of good info available.. It is moderated by a naturopath and people, both under doctor's care and on their own contribute to the conversation.

LW 888

[Villages PL]

My son is a physician and if you ask him, he will tell you the problem with medicine is the patients. They don't take prescribed meds...they don't lose weight, they don't stop smoking, they don't stop drinking, they don't exercise, they don't eat a healthy diet. I guess it just depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I believe it. Perhaps some research is needed to find out the best way to go about informing patients of the harm they are doing to themselves. I know it's a long shot but it might help someone.

Perhaps a system of incentives or penalties. Some smokers have to pay more for their health insurance. Why don't overweight people pay more? Why don't normal weight people get a rebate on their monthly premium?

For those who are overweight, why aren't dietitians covered by insurance? An overweight person might be allowed to go a limited number of times to get them on the right path.

[KayakerNC]

Perhaps a system of incentives or penalties. Some smokers have to pay more for their health insurance. Why don't overweight people pay more? Why don't normal weight people get a rebate on their monthly premium.

Be careful what you wish for.
Substitute overage for overweight for adjusting monthly premiums. Not nice.:22yikes:

[Villages PL]

Be careful what you wish for.
Substitute overage for overweight for adjusting monthly premiums. Not nice.:22yikes:

We can stop smoking, drinking and overeating because they are behaviors. Chronological age is unavoidable.

[Cedwards38]

They just don't have time.

And why is that? Over scheduling to maximize earning potential possibly?