Some Balance, Please

[abqmalenurse]

I see a lot of people posting things which go way too far one direction or another.

 

Lots of people think organic and so forth is a complete panacea. First, take a look at your history. In the past century, life expectancy and quality of life have increased substantially, to nearly double what it was in previous centuries, even millenia. Why is that? Mostly because of medical research. Even if you follow an organic lifestyle, most of the reasons you are likely to do so stem originally from some kind of medical research. You don;t have to like it for it to be true.

 

Simply put, if you are sick you are most likely to go to a doctor. If you have an established diagnosis of Celiac disease, you went to a doctor to be tested.

 

If I need medical care or surgery, I go to a doctor. Not my local hippy, organic food mart or yoga instructor.

 

Some people reach for herbs and avoid medications. Here's the truth- herbs are medications without the warning labels. Every thing in existence is composed of chemicals. Many drugs on the market originated with some kind of herb. I'm not against herbs but if I have a headache, I am reaching for an aspirin, not tearing off a piece of willow bark to chew on. Natural does not mean safe. Cyanide is natural, isn't it?

 

On the other hand, do I think there is a pill for everything or chemicals cure everything? No, absolutely not. Medicine has misled us many times over the centuries. However, the difference is primarily in documentation. Herbs and folk remedies have killed millions, caused cancer and done damage. Through most of history and even today, most of those cases have not been recorded. With medications, there is a paper trail. Your aunt died of a cerebral hemorrhage? If that happened because of Coumadin, it will be documented. If it happened because of an herbal supplement, most likely not.

 

There is a balance between approaches. It takes more work than listening to fanatics or popping a pill.

 

In the end, choose your own approach. If someone asks for information, offer it. If they choose not to take it that is their choice. If someone else offers a different view, don't attack them. Accept that someone else has a different view. The only time to step in is if there is imminent potential for harm. Otherwise, you are responsible for your own health and life. I am responsible for mine. If you are trying to propagate your beliefs without respect for the views of others, be honest about it.