What’s That, You Ask?
In case you were wondering, yes, you are probably correct. It’s an actual list of medications from a real patient in my office. It’s a list of NINETEEN medications that this patient takes every day, to be exact. Well, I’m actually lying. I know it’s difficult to read, but f you look closely you will see folic acid and vitamin E on there, which area actually good for you. So it’s only SEVENTEEN medications that this person takes every day.
Now let me ask you a question. If we took someone who is taking two medications per day versus seventeen, who do you think is the healthier person? Hopefully you answered the first one. Next question. If the person taking two is healthier than the person taking seventeen, then why do we keep stacking meds on top of meds hoping it will make us healthier?
Think about this. Do you think this person showed up to the doctor’s office one day and he said “Ma’am, you don’t look so well. You need to start taking these seventeen drugs every day.”? Doubtful. The more likely scenario is that she went in several years ago and had high blood pressure, so she was prescribed a blood pressure medication. Then she goes back a year later and her cholesterol is high, so she gets a statin drug. Six months later she has indigestion, so she gets a “purple pill.” Now she can’t sleep, so she gets a “tranquilizer” pill. And on, and on, and on. You get the idea.
Meanwhile, is her health getting better or worse? Unfortunately, this is the rule in today’s society rather than the exception. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not attacking the medical profession here. They have life-saving services that are needed and useful. We just need to think differently about healthcare vs. “sick care.” Let’s get to the cause of the problem rather than masking the symptoms with drugs. To your health!