Treat the person or the disease?
You may have the same
disease or symptoms as someone else, but when you look at the intricate details
you find that there are differences. Diseases manifest differently in each
individual because of the various factors that contribute to a condition. For
example, hypertension is found in individuals who have high levels of blood
pressure in their arteries. It appears to be the same disease in two people, but
the factors involved can be very different. One may have lower magnesium, a
mineral that allows for the relaxation of all muscles, including the ones in
blood vessels. The other person may have hypertension related to a food
sensitivity that causes a chain reaction in the body to tighten the blood
vessels. Treating the disease by giving a herb to reduce the high blood pressure
can be useful to prevent complications such as stroke, but without treating the
person the cause is not addressed.
What's the root
cause?
That's the question we want you to ask about your condition. What thought and behavioral patterns affect your habits of eating, physical activity, stress response and every other aspect of your life? Are there any locations, such as your workplace or home, where your symptoms worsen? Besides a thorough investigation of your medical history, physical exams and laboratory tests can help provide insight to your case. It takes detective work to figure out the factors that may be responsible for your dis-ease. It may take time to discover the root causes of your suffering, but when you become aware and inspired to change, you will reap the rewards of a healthy new you.
Who's responsible for your health?
In the United States, we have a health care system that puts all the responsibility for your health in doctors' hands. Typically, an appointment with a physician includes a prescription for a pill that will address your ailments. Your only responsibility is to take the pill, leaving the rest in your doctor's hands. According to a prominent journal, JAMA, 400,000 Americans died in 2000 from a poor diet and physical inactivity, making it the 2nd cause of death behind tobacco use. We believe that the responsibility should be in your hands, while the physician acts as a guide and educator in order to provide you with options.