A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:

"Doctor, I have an ear ache."

2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."

1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."

1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."

1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."

1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."

2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"

A LONGER HISTORY OF MEDICINE

Victor Bloom MD

We know a lot more about health and disease than ever before, but we are still scratching the surface of what needs to be known. We still do not know the precise mechanism by which our normal cells turn cancerous. We don't know enough about addiction or brain chemistry. We don't know enough about what foods are good for us and what is bad. We don't know how long we can stay ahead of antibiotic-resistant organisms. We don't know what elements of alternative medicine should be retained and which should be deleted.

Still, we have much to be glad about. At the turn of the century the life expectancy was about 45 years. Now it is 75. Antibiotics and better nutrition have extended our lives considerably, and as a result we have a large population of vital, healthy and alert senior citizens. More grandparents for our grandchildren. Good feelings all around.

As we look into the longer history of medicine and try to discern what will extend our lives even more, we have learned a few more things. We have learned that certain vitamins help reduce infections and promote healing, such as vitamin C. People can take a gram or more a day and it is relatively cheap and widely available. Therapeutic multivitamins, which include a host of essential and useful minerals, are also widely available and relatively inexpensive. They include folic acid, a chemical that is an anti-oxidant, and therefore works against the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries.

It is also becoming more widely known that garlic is another anti-oxidant, and that garlic capsules are also readily available and inexpensive. Additional vitamin E has also been shown to lower the cholesterol levels. For those whose genetics and metabolism tend in the direction of elevated cholesterol, there are now effective cholesterol-lowering drugs. Your doctor can prescribe them, as well as medications to lower the blood pressure if it runs higher than 140/90.

It is also a good idea to keep your average blood sugar below 140, or you will be prone to the complications of diabetes. Diabetes and hypertension lead to cardiac and circulatory complications, as well as damage to many organ systems. It is better to control sugar and blood pressure levels sooner than later. But better later than never.

They keep talking about 'life-style change'. What is meant by that is that you will live longer and healthier if your diet and physical activity is in moderation. That means you reduce your consumption of red meat and fats drastically. This is done by eating more fish and fowl and fruits and vegetables. It also helps to keep to a minimum those fast-food emporiums which dispense hamburgers, fries and milkshakes, not to mention pizzas. They are full of fat, which is concentrated calories.

It goes without saying that use of tobacco and/or marijuana is not good for the health. The same for abuse of alcohol. And it is the same for overeating which leads to obesity. Chances are that all addictions are due to a neurochemical imbalance. These are at least partially correctable with an appropriate psychotropic medication.

It also helps to exercise and now the one which is most highly touted is the simplest and easiest, walking. It requires no special equipment and can be done at various times in the day. And it is a lot easier on the bones and joints than running.

Many doctors are now recommending meditation and relaxation tapes. These methods reduce stress and blood pressure. The simplest meditation exercise is to focus on your breathing. Breath in, breath out. It is good to have periods of rest and quiet during the day.

The wisdom of the ages teaches moderation, which includes moderation in diet and exercise. Each person must find his or her own balance.

All the above leads to or comes from mental health. A mentally healthy person is free of neurotic symptoms of anxiety, depression and exaggerated fears, and lives a life of moderation and balance.

The above is a longer history of medicine, but it can be seen what what goes around, comes around, and that the pendulum swings back and forth, and that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Dr. Bloom lives and practices in Grosse Pointe Park. He is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Wayne State University's School of Medicine, a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis. He welcomes comments and suggestions to his email address: vbloom@comcast.net.