Are Drug Companies Destroying The U.S. Health Care System?

Dr Randy Wysong

The U.S. government's annual bill for healthcare spending – $3,925 per person – significantly exceeds that of all other nations. Despite this, our current health care system is increasingly failing both patients and medical practitioners. Of 13 nations, the U.S. is last for neonatal and infant mortality, last for years of potential life lost, 10th for age-adjusted mortality, 11th and 12th for female and male life expectancy respectively. Chronic degenerative diseases – heart disease, cancer, arthritis, obesity, etc. – are at epidemic levels and create the ideal long-term customers to grow the medical industry.

Looking for a culprit? Consider that pharmaceutical company profits are so large they outstrip every other American industry by far. Americans spend over $500 billion on drugs. The drug companies claim that they need large earnings ($124,835,595,000 in 1999, for example) to conduct their research, but just one of every five dollars the drug industry collects actually goes to drug research. Some drug companies spend twice as much annually for marketing and advertising. From the years 1996 to 2001, pharmaceutical companies spent $3 billion on consumer advertising. Many of the advertised pharmaceuticals are not (contrary to popular belief) FDA-approved, and the information contained in the advertisements is often misleading and not entirely accurate. Now there is even a new wave of drugs being marketed to alleviate the side effects of other drugs being marketed (e.g. NexiumTM to relieve digestive problems created by pain killers).

Pharmaceutical companies have enormous influence on physicians through the billions of dollars of marketing resources. Drug companies in the U.S. spend, on average, $10,000 each year per physician to influence their behavior through subsidizing studies in major journals, aggressive marketing by drug reps (in some instances trained exactly how long to shake a doctor’s hand), advertisements and sponsorship of medical education programs for doctors and medical residents. (Such support of education and science subtly brainwashes physicians into thinking symptom-based medicine is sound knowledge and science as well.) Is it any surprise that two thirds of visits to doctors' offices result in a drug being prescribed? Some patients may be on numerous medications prescribed by various specialists while not one of them knows, or could even predict, the health consequences of the interactions. (I recently discovered that my elderly mother, suffering from a variety of ailments, including dementia, was on 17 different medications. Not only did she not know what she was taking or when she did, neither did any of her physicians.) Little wonder pharmaceutical toxicity is one of the major factors contributing to medical care being the leading cause of death in the U.S.

[Why Modern Medicine is the Greatest Threat to Health]
http://www.wysong.net/health/post_77_061902.shtml

Aside from profiteering and marketing, the most fundamental flaw in the system is philosophical. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies think about names of diseases and removal of symptoms, not cure or prevention. They chase, but the race is rigged so they never catch.

Enabling such a system to prosper and flourish is a public that also has a flawed philosophy. They want to live life as they choose, carpe diem, thinking only of momentary relief, pleasure and convenience. When something goes wrong with their health they don’t want instruction on how to change lifestyle, but rather want to use the power of money (preferably the government’s) to buy their way out with a silver drug bullet that immediately takes the problem away. We spend much for dying, little for living.

American health will continue to slip and our economy will continue to be drained by a failing healthcare system until the underlying flawed philosophies are changed. Medicine must change from naming diseases and treating symptoms to prevention and cure. Yes, that means the medical care system should be trying to put itself out of business, not create a growth industry of illness.

On the other hand, people must change by taking the responsibility for controlling their own health destiny. As it stands, the public has become a pawn of commercial medical interests.

Ultimately health is something we do to ourselves, not something others do to us. When that fact is faced, the medical-pharmaceutical complex will shrivel to a cottage industry and the public will be the better for it.

[Br Med J, 2003; 326:416]
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/326/7386/416/b

[N Engl J Med, 2002; 346:498-505, 524-531]
http://content.nejm.org/content/vol346/issue7/index.shtml

About the Author:
Dr. Wysong: A former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. http://www.wysong.net.

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3 Ways To Life Happy And Healthy With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The IBS Diva

Let me ask you something. What do Tyra Banks, Camille Grammer and Cybil Sheppard all have in common? They all suffer from irritable bowel syndrome along with about 20% of the rest of the population, according to recent studies.

Im the IBS Diva. And I say having irritable bowel syndrome doesn't have to be a death sentence. There are ways not only to cope but to thrive and live a happy, healthy life. Yes, I know, it can be a bit embarrassing at times always searching for the nearest bathroom whenever you go out, getting up in the middle of movies and only eating certain foods.

The IBS Diva doesnt let that get in the way of her good time, though. And you shouldnt let get in the way of yours, either.

Here are the IBS Divas three simple pieces of advice for coping with irritable bowel syndrome.

1. Youre still fabulous, honey. Act like it. Change your mindset about this functional disorder. Youre not an outcast. Youre a tough, no-nonsense leader. Believe it.

2. Dont stress just rest. Just like the IBS Diva, you need your beauty sleep. Make sure you get at least eight hours per night. Let your body rejuvenate and heal during the night. Then you can wake up fabulous like the IBS Diva.

3. Keep searching. Even the IBS Diva searches for solutions for irritable bowel syndrome. Lets face it. Having this disorder is no walk in the park. But there are ways to cope and live a happy, healthy life. Search for them while youre on your journey to self acceptance. It can only help.

Honey, you have to look at irritable bowel syndrome as a challenge that you must overcome, not as a death sentence. With the proper mind set and a willingness to try new and effective dietary changes and medical solutions, you can live a healthy and happy life with IBS.

About the Author:
For the rest of the Divas no-nonsense advice on living with IBS, visit: http://www.ibsdiva.net. And remember, the IBS Diva says, Stay fabulous, baby!

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How To Avoid Those Holiday Pounds!

Kirsten Hawkins

If you believe the old stories about much weight people put on during the holidays, youre rightpartially. In a recent study conducted by The National Institute of Health, the researchers discovered that, in reality, most people tend to only put on just slightly under one pound. But a person who is already overweight will average a whopping five pounds extra after the last horns have been blown.

But its not all good news for even those who put on the minimum because the study also shows that we all tend to keep the pounds put on. In other words, over ten years, those not-so-much pounds, could lead someone to being overweight.

So, what can we do in order to keep those extra pounds off? After all, our homes are usually filled with holiday pies, cakes and other goodies, and they can be pretty temptingeven for the most faithful of dieters!

Heres a few tips to get you through the holidays.

Just A Nibble!

Have you ever noticed that when you start eating a rich dessert it tastes so good, but by the last bite, youve had enough? One way to keep the pounds down is just to enjoy a few bites that delicious cheesecake or chocolate fudge brownie. No one says that you have to completely deprive yourself of holiday treatsjust limit how much you eat!

Enjoy the Company, Not The Brownies!

Many people think of holiday parties in terms of the foods that theyll get to eat (or have to avoid) instead of the real reason for the celebrationthe company and conversation. If you keep yourself busy chatting with friends, youll be less likely to invade the snack table.

Go Full

Youve likely heard the grocery store trick; dont go shopping when youre hungry because youll only end up buying more. Well, the same can work for holiday parties! Eat a lot of raw vegetables, and other healthy foods that will stick with you during the party and youll be less tempted to binge on the bad stuff.

Drink Water

If you were to add up the calories that youve probably consumed in sodas, fruit punches and alcoholic beverages at parties, you would likely be amazed. You can gulp down hundreds of calories without even realizing it if youre not careful! Instead of one of these high-calorie drinks, make it a habit to drink waterwhich in itself will help flush out extra water weight.

Create An Eating Schedule

It wouldnt be funor realisticto try and get through an entire party without at least sampling some of the treats. But instead of heading instantly to the food table and loading your plateand then suffering the rest of the party because you want moretry spacing out your snacks for the entire time of the party. Plan on taking a nibble of something about every thirty minutes. Not only will it help you eat less, it will be a fun game that you can play with yourself!

Most importantly, remember that the holidays are meant for enjoyment. Dont be too hard on yourself, and if you make a mistake, talk an extra long walk to work off those extra calories instead of beating yourself up over it!

About the Author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.

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Constipation No Longer A Taboo Subject!

Willie Jones

In todays fast food generation and sedentary life styles, not only do we have a problem in America with obesity, we also have a problem with constipation. Something in the past we did not always want to talk about. But in reality we do need to address this as it can have an array of adverse effects on the body.

The colon is a large holding tank for waste material that needs to be eliminated on a daily basis. When this does not occur and you are going only every two, three or more days then you have constipation. After only twenty-four hours if your stool has not been eliminated, the proteins begin to putrefy and your system becomes toxic and the trouble begins. These toxins then get into the bloodstream where the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system needs to work harder to eliminate these poisons. A clean fully functioning colon means that good nutrients are being absorbed into the bloodstream.

The average person will probably reach for laxatives for relief but continued use can actually cause further constipation. If one is only relying on laxatives and continues to eat high fat and junk foods then you can expect further problems.

Here are some tips to help you relieve constipation.

Diet:

Americans tend to over eat. Smaller portions are much better for your system. Also what you eat has impact on your colon. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes are much healthier for your system. Fiber is necessary for elimination. You may want to try psyllium seed for relief, but dont under estimate fruit such as raspberries or blueberries. They have more fiber in one cupful than ten bran muffins. Your parents and grandparents did not have the kind of diet we now have in this generation. They did not eat fast food, processed and junk foods. Nor do any animals on earth eat the way we eat. Animals eat meat, fruit, grasses, nuts and berries.

Our original diet was very simple. I cant say enough about organic foods. It s natural, just as nature intended it. We can still eat that way but it will require extra time for preparation and discipline on your part to have a healthy colon and body. It will be well worth it. Vitamins like A, E, C and B vitamins are also helpful as well as garlic and aloe vera.

Water:

Water is essential for elimination. You would not expect a toilet to flush waste material without water. So it is with your body. Unfortunately, so many people dont even drink one glass of water a day. The average person needs at least 8, eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Even if you are not thirsty, drink water especially if you are feeling toxic. Note: if you take psyllium seed for relief, you must drink a lot of water with it.

Exercise:

One needs to exercise so that your intestines can speed up the elimination process. Between drinking a lot of water and exercising and a good natural diet, you have a better chance of unclogging yourself. If you do not get relief you may want to try doing coffee or lemon enemas. You may feel less toxic after colon cleansing.

You may want to consult a naturopathic medical practitioner who can suggest supplements, diet and alternative remedies to help with digestive difficulties.

Heres to better health through your colon!

About the Author:
Willie Jones is an author/researcher who has dedicated herself to helping people find the resources, books, news and information on health and wellness. http://www.stopconstipation.com an online constipation information Resources for colon health.

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