Editor's Letter
Watchful Waiting
After hearing from a reader, I would like to share a few lines from his story, so similar to many reader letters we receive.
‘I was hospitalised and given a drip containing antibiotics and anti-epileptic medication for a viral infection. I was ignored when I questioned the treatment protocol. I was still asking him if there were definite signs of bacterial infection when the nurse proceeded to stick a needle in my arm. I continue to protest as the arogant physician walked away: “I have no such symptoms” and “surely its viral” and “I don’t think I need an antibiotic”, in ran the antibiotics, anti-epileptic medication to prevent a “migraine attack”, and pain medicine. The specific anti-epileptic medication is contra-indicated for asthmatics. I am an asthmatic. I discharged myself the next morning. A subsequent consultation with an ENT specialist confirmed that there were never any signs on the MRI of a bacterial infection. I know enough not to have allowed this!'
If in any doubt, you have the right to demand answers. Pause, wait, make them wait, and get more tests done and another opinion if you think you need it.
Reconsider if diagnosis (giving name to a disease) is as important as understanding the history of the condition, the side-effect of the drugs and the contraindication if used with other prescription drugs and natural remedies. Should disease be seen as punishment? How about a watchful waiting process rather than active intervention?
In the words of Australian Dr Dennis Richards (chiropractor) ‘…the patient is seen as the passive, helpless victim of an invasive force which must be hunted down, attacked and destroyed by the physician-rescuer…’
THANK YOU TO OUR EXPERTS
Our authors receive no payment or any other form of remuneration from us or from the industry. They take time out from their busy schedules to write articles – and then we insist that they meet our deadlines, submit extra references, answer endless queries from reviewers and copy editors, and respond to the letters we receive from you, our readers. Here’s to all of them! May their tireless and tremendous efforts bring them well-deserved rewards.
Yours in Healthy Living
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