The ART and SCIENCE of MEDICINE

The guy in this photo is Andrew Weil, M.D.  He is a "guru" of integrative medicine, a pop culture doctor who combines Eastern (oriental) science and medical traditions with Western (he graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School) medicine and technology. Clearly he has a style all his own with the Santa Claus beard and the mandarin collar shirts.  Though I keep up with the major technological advances in medicine and society, I have never fully bought into the "newer is better" approach to anything.  Cars that almost drive themselves are nowhere near as fun as a gas guzzling V-8 powered stick shift hot rod with an a.m. radio.  Computers are fun but often I just enjoy writing longhand in a journal.  MRIs and CT Scans can tell you a lot but they are no substitute for spending time talking and listening to patients and doing a really thorough physical exam.

We could shut down half of our hospital beds in this country if Americans would make some common sense life style choices and show some discipline.  In today's society where nobody is responsible for their lot in life, morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes run rampant though our population.  Being 100 pounds overweight is never your fault and the only way to solve everything is another government program. Between smoking, drinking, illicit drug use, overeating, under exercising, not wearing helmets (motorcyclists) and seat belts, and unprotected sex of the type we are taught is normal on TV (typical hook-up involves instant sex with total strangers) our hospital beds and emergency rooms are overflowing.  None of this is our fault, everybody gets a trophy, and high self-esteem is our most important goal. Let's just spend more money on medical care and give it to everyone.  It's only fair. Pounds and pounds of cure and not an ounce of prevention.

As a weak human being myself, filled with flaws and moments of disciplinary cluelessness, I understand.  Nevertheless, each and every one of us is responsible for our lives and health.  We get to choose the McDonald's cheeseburger (250 calories and $1) instead of the  $5 Humongo whopper with three burgers, bacon, extra cheese and ranch dressing. You have to be an anaconda to open your mouth wide enough to take a full bite of one of those sandwiches.  Dr. Weil is far from perfect and he admits to this in his teachings and writings.  But, he tries to do the right thing most of the time and sincerely instructs others to do the same.  So next time you get in your car, buckle up your seat belt.  Pass on that Frapuchino and have a plain coffee instead with a little cream.  I do not advocate a life of lettuce and rabbit food, but at least when you go to Wendy's, Mickey D's, or any other fast food place, try not to order the half cow on a bun dripping with melted cheese, a side of 1000 calories of french fries, and a 64 ounce cup of High-Fructose corn syrup.