With
ever-increasing complexity in life, we learn to compartmentalize our life in an
attempt to bring order to chaos. We have our spiritual life, family life, work
life, social life, animal/pet life, recreational life and our health. Our
health gets further compartmentalized into food, exercise, stress-relief,
sleep, hydration, energy and disease-management. The disease-management is even
further compartmentalized, or fractionalized, to all the specialty fields of
medicine. We have a doctor for our joints, one for our heart, another for our
digestive system, another for our emotional health, etc. Even within these
specialties are sub-specialties! Wow! Is this wise?
On
the surface it does make sense. As our health, or rather our disease model, is
becoming more complex, there isn’t a doctor around that can be an expert in all
areas. Because of this fractionalization of our medical care, we tend to lose
track of the whole picture, the body as a whole entity. When we treat one symptom, not the entire
symptom picture, we jeopardize other parts. When those parts that got
jeopardized from the treatment scream out at us, we call it side-effects.
For
instance, when we take acid-reducing pills for heartburn or reflux, we handicap
the digestive system and it can’t break down the nutrients needed for other
bodily functions. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies, common when taking these
medications, can increase the risk for osteoporosis. Vioxx, now taken off the
market, had a high risk of heart-related incidents, though it was a powerful
anti- inflammatory drug.
In
all areas of health and choices in health care, we need to not forget that the
body is complex. It is a highly intelligent, highly complex interactive
relationship which we do not fully understand. For instance, it is now commonly
known that the gut acts like a brain on many levels. The gut-brain mechanism is
only recently being understood. We used to think that the appendix was a
worthless organ, serving no purpose and best discarded. Now we understand that
it assists in lubricating the intestines, is part of the gut’s immune system
and assists in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Whenever
considering a remedy for symptoms, it is best to take a wholistic (whole body)
and holistic (natural) approach. Viewing the body as a picture and the symptoms
as pieces of a puzzle, gives a crisper idea of what went wrong in the first
place. Then, the picture is treated – the whole person – and not just the
symptom. Obviously, there are times where the puzzle piece has to be handled,
such as when you’re having a heart attack, but then getting down to what went
wrong to precipitate that event needs to be addressed. YOU need to be
evaluated, treated, supported, and nourished, and not just your symptom.
©2020 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
