What I Believe
We all know that
a patient's beliefs can make a lot of difference in the end
result of a treatment. Thinking positively, expecting
positively, having an upbeat attitude, and taking an active
role in your health is likely to bring much better results
than otherwise. In an article I recently came across, Larry
Dossey, MD, raised an interesting question:
"What is the
effect of the physician's belief system on a patient's
outcome?"
I had never
thought of it like that, but as I pondered over this
question, I realized that it has an immense impact.
Therefore, I am sure you would like to know what I, as your
physician, believe.
We are all well
familiar with the traditional treatment that depends upon
treating your symptoms with drugs. Use of antihistamines,
painkillers, wheezing medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs,
anti-hypertensives, nerve pills, etc. are all examples of
treating symptoms. Remember, a headache is not an
aspirin-deficiency state. As an environmental physician,
this is my most important belief. Diseases do not happen
from lack of drugs in the body. Therefore, we stress finding
the cause and treating the cause.
I
believe that:
- Most people can
get well and, in fact, can get a lot better by
finding the cause and treating the cause.
- Symptoms are
warning signals that something
is wrong. Covering them with drugs on a
long-term basis does not make sense.
- The Sick
Get Sicker and the Rich Get Richer by
covering up the symptoms with drugs.
- The law of
"Cause and Effect": If you do not like the
effect (symptoms), you have to look for the
cause.
- Possibility:
With the current knowledge we have at hand, it
is possible, in most instances, to find the
cause and treat the cause effectively.
- Reduce the
need for drugs: Yes, it is possible in most
instances to improve the condition to the point
that the patient hardly needs any
symptom-relieving drugs.
- Proof:
Success stories are
inspirational. Read them. Talk to patients who
have been coming to us for a while and see how
they are doing.
- Guarantee:
There is none. However this is how
people get well, by finding the cause and
treating the cause.
- What is the
cause: Usually the cause is in the patient's
environment, i.e., things inhaled, food
eaten, and the substances one comes in contact
with. Other causes are nutritional, toxic, and
endocrine in nature.
- Those who will
search for the cause will find the cause; those
who seek freedom from drugs will do so; those
who will seek improvement in their quality of
life will find it. This will also reduce
dependence on physicians, hospitals, and the
rest of the medical establishment.
That is my core belief.
What is yours? Treat the symptoms or treat the
cause you decided.
Tipu Sultan, MD
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