"Quick Fixes"

In the past few years, there have been many news reports cautioning people on the possible negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Plavix (clopidogrel) was the latest to make the news. With the introduction of more and more drugs into society, we as a nation have become dependent on drugs. If someone has sleeping problems, we are quick to prescribe drugs like Ambien or Tylenol PM but has anyone ever stopped to think "what is causing them to have insomnia?"

My main frustration as a practitioner is that our culture is so set on "quick-fixes" that we are ignoring our body's innate ability to heal itself. We prescribe pharmaceuticals for EVERYTHING; for headaches, constipation, weight loss, pain, menstrual issues, etc. Issues that would most likely be resolved with changes in diet, exercise, sleep or reducing stress. Have we progressed so much that we now must rely on chemically manufactured drugs to heal ourselves? Is this what it means to progress?

Throughout the years, our bodies have become weaker not just do to our more sedentary lifestyles but also due to the amount of chemicals we put into our bodies. Now more so than ever before has cancer and auto-immune diseases become more prevalent. In this scenario, we must focus not just on solutions to these issues but also why are these things happening and why now?

In my experience of practicing medicine my goal has always been to seek balance and to help the body heal itself. Not by giving my patient's "quick-fixes" but allowing them the opportunity to learn to live healthier lifestyles and making sound decisions.

So the next time you reach into your medicine cabinet, I challenge you to think about your decision and ask yourself...Why am I having this problem? What can I do to remedy it without popping another pill? Are the short-term benefits worth the long-term consequences?

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