More diseases or just more diagnosing

[TwoByFour]

Originally Posted by Lee W.

I don't think it's a matter of whether gluten kills us off or not...

My comment had to do with the extent to which we are genetically equipped to ingest gluten. If the host dies before child bearing age, the necessary genes would quickly get selected for. But since it is not a killer, the fact that even after 5000 years of eating glutinous foods we have health problems due to gluten, is not surprising.

[coschristi]

I like the new one (definite Pharma propoganda) on the eye drop medication ads " ... My doctor said I have a DISEASE! It's called DRY EYE DISEASE!"

Google "Dry eye disease" & the first 4 options you receive will clearly be marked "Ad".

The following more credible options (for example from the aoa.org) just simply refer to it as "Dry eyes".

But attach the word "disease" & you have a winner (if you sell eyedrops)!

[Serious Conversation]

I'm not sure there are "more diseases," as in things that didn't previously exist currently exist, but we have a better understanding of medicine, virology, what have you, and can make more informed diagnoses.

With that said, I do think there is a tendency for some doctors/patients to overdiagnose and that there is too much of a "pill for everything" mentality.