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You are so very wrong. Improvements have been slight, and even Gorski admits it.
Where?
Quote:
Even Gorski admits that a lot of the improvement can be explained by over-diagnosis and lead-time bias.
Overdiagnosis applies to the very early stages. That's where the tumors that are less aggressive and might never cause a problem may be picked up.
Lead time bias can affect calculation of survival rates but it does not affect mortality rates. That is why survival rates need to be reported by stage of the cancer.
I went to lunch with a friend. After the meal, she pulled out a pill box and popped about four different pills. I didn't ask what they were for. The other day, I went to visit a friend. As soon as I walked in, I saw pill containers everywhere. What pills are you taking? Beta blockers and anti-depressants, he said. It seems everyone I know is popping prescription drugs. Pills for heart problems. Pills to lower cholesterol. Pills for erectile disorders. Pills for menopause. And lots and lots of pills for depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
What's happening to us? Are we buying into big pharma? Making drug companies rich? Do we really need to take all these drugs? Are we a bunch of sickos? What's going on?
We've been overmedicated for 30+ years now. Where 'ya been?
Tell your friends status post stroke to stop taking their antihypertensives.
Tell your friends with diabetes to cease taking their oral hypoglycemics.
Tell your friends with a genetic predisposition for hypercholesterolemia to stop taking their lipid lowering agents, and...........
You will have fewer friends.
My friend with diabetes stopped taking his meds and got serious about eating healthy. His meds were actually making him sicker than the disease (kidney problems). He's lost weight and is in better health without having to take meds anymore.
For those who want a way out of our pharmaceutical nightmare, check out Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones. Buettner found out that the world's longest lived societies use relatively little health care and they live those additional years largely disability free.
My friend with diabetes stopped taking his meds and got serious about eating healthy. His meds were actually making him sicker than the disease (kidney problems). He's lost weight and is in better health without having to take meds anymore.
A friend I don't see much these days, but I've heard her stories on the diabetes she deals with and all the different drugs she's tried...and it's in her family the diabetes, but at a point she got took control, took off a good amount of weight and eating very strict from a book she purchased and was at her best. I don't know where she is now but hopefully doing OK with the food intakes.
What I really do not understand is the mindset that once on a drug then on a drug for the rest of your natural life; from statins to BP to anti-depressants. You are NEVER cured for any condition, exception maybe being anti-biotics. Why NOT? All of these conditions are solely genetic in nature? Feeding the beast of Big Pharms, and doctors, and lining their pockets with repeat customers.
What I really do not understand is the mindset that once on a drug then on a drug for the rest of your natural life; from statins to BP to anti-depressants. You are NEVER cured for any condition, exception maybe being anti-biotics. Why NOT? All of these conditions are solely genetic in nature? Feeding the beast of Big Pharms, and doctors, and lining their pockets with repeat customers.
Many people are able to stop anti-depressants. Those who do, then have the depression recur, may not be able to come off of them permanently.
The cause of most hypertension is not known. Some, but not all, people may be able to stop meds if they watch their diets and exercise, losing weight if needed.
The same with statins. Some people can control their lipids with diet and exercise, some cannot.
Why does the condition have to be "genetic" to need treatment? Fundamentally, everything about us is genetic.
Why even see a doctor if you do not value her advice and plan to follow it?
I believe the U.S. and New Zealand are the two countries that run TV ads.
The drug companies should not be marketing to people who can't make the purchase without medical intervention. Drug advertising on TV, radio and print media should be prohibited. FWIW I have never asked my doctor about any drug and never will.
The drug companies should not be marketing to people who can't make the purchase without medical intervention. Drug advertising on TV, radio and print media should be prohibited. FWIW I have never asked my doctor about any drug and never will.
Can you imagine making an appointment to ask your doctor about a particular drug? It's insane!
"Oh, Doc - I saw this cool drug on TV, can you put me on it?"
No! Doctors are supposed to be experts on what the proper drug might be to treat particular conditions. To think that uneducated people are driving what medications to take is just crazy.
If the theory is that drug companies can dictate to people directly what to take for x,y,z condition, then doctors are superfluous.
I am concerned what people who have grown up with "Ask your doctor for so-and-so drug (with the warning that the drug can cause you to bleed to death or whatever)" are thinking when they grow up . . . kids who have grown up with this message must be thoroughly indoctrinated to think that they need whatever drug they see on TV. It is really sick.
The drug companies should not be marketing to people who can't make the purchase without medical intervention. Drug advertising on TV, radio and print media should be prohibited. FWIW I have never asked my doctor about any drug and never will.
Good for you, I took some over my long life and found the root on my issue with ones I too for 10 yrs, it was thyroid and not the need for A/D drugs.
Then one drug put me in the ER with stomach ulcer yrs ago.
Today it's BP meds and thyroid support and no other drugs...I live with pain, but I manage.
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