The first time I treated a patient with HIV I felt completely overwhelmed. I was concerned that I didn't know enough about the virus and that I was too ignorant of the pharmaceuticals to correctly prescribe an herbal formula. After doing a thorough intake and consulting with my supervisor my fears were relieved. I was advised to go back to the basic principle of diagnosis and to consider the imbalance in terms of Chinese medicine.
In a sense, this simplified my understanding of the disease. It also made treatment more approachable; we are not attempting to cure disease but to bring the body toward a state of balance. Excess patterns, such as heat, phlegm, or blood stasis, must be eliminated and the body must be strengthened and nourished.
While Western treatment of HIV/AIDS is still quite limited, I would never advise a patient to work solely with Chinese medicine. Thus far, we've not come up with any mono-therapy that will effectively treat the virus. What I dislike about the western treatment of HIV and AIDS is the same thing I dislike about cancer treatment [see below]. I firmly believe that TCM can not only strengthen our immune systems but also offer a different, more holistic perspective of healing and the body. We can use nutritional therapy and qi gong as a means of strengthening and balancing. Thus, we are not required to rely solely on non-participatory treatment, which I find empowering.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Understanding cancer
What I know of cancer is that it is a devastating disease that, apart from some known factors, is indiscriminate in it's host. I know that the treatment of cancer may vary radically depending on one's means, awareness, general health, age and many other factors.
I think that what many find frightening about cancer is how little we know about it. How do we prevent an idiopathic disease? Sure, there are things that we know. We know for a fact that tobacco use causes cancer. We know that some strains of Human Papilloma Virus may lead to cancer and that severe burns may lead to skin cancer. It's possible that regular cell phone use will cause cancer; or pesticides or excessive estrogen in the form of oral contraceptives. It's also possible that these things will not cause cancer.
Then there are things that we are certain about; we have tools to fight cancer under the correct circumstances and sometimes they are effective.
In a sense, we are obligated to live in the unknown. There are prophylactic measures to be taken, but even this seems like guesswork. For instance, "the National Cancer Institute recommends a diet with large amounts of colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods supply ample amounts of Vitamin A, C, and E, as well as phytochemicals and other antioxidants that help to prevent cancer. There is strong evidence that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits will not only reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, but will also protect against cancer."
But then again, there was a study [aren't these our primary means of determining data?] among women with breast cancer in California a couple of years back that determined that there was not relationship between tumor growth and fruit and vegetable consumption. Again, we are working with a lack of certainty.
With respect to the treatment of cancer, TCM is necessarily going to approach cancer differently than the western model by virtue of the fact that TCM treats disease differently. TCM views the body as a living system that requires a state of balance; a deficiency of the spleen impacts the state of the liver. While TCM views disease as a pattern [affecting the system], western medicine breaks disease down to it's smallest particle to contain or eliminate.
Another primary difference in terms of treatment is the emphasis in TCM on strengthening the body in order to heal. I have a friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of months ago. She is 35 years old and vital. Her prognosis was grim; six months to a year at best. She has been undergoing chemotherapy as well as using chinese medicine. In the last month, her white blood cells and neutrophils have been too low to receive chemo and so she's been resting and taking potent doses of deer antler, or lu rong. Lu rong has the function of tonifying the kidneys and fortifying the yang, warming the yang and regulating the Ren and Chong vessels, tonifying the Du, augmenting the essence and blood, and strengthening sinews and bones. It also tonifies and nourishes qi and blood. After a month of taking lu rong, Valerie is stronger and able to receive her last few rounds of chemo.
This to me, is a fine example of integrating eastern and western medicine. They function quite differently, and in the case of a chronic disease such as cancer, may complement one another well. In an ideal world, we would work almost entirely with preventative health, and process' such as chemotherapy would be unnecessary. But that's not where we are today. For now what we can do is start where we are.
I think that what many find frightening about cancer is how little we know about it. How do we prevent an idiopathic disease? Sure, there are things that we know. We know for a fact that tobacco use causes cancer. We know that some strains of Human Papilloma Virus may lead to cancer and that severe burns may lead to skin cancer. It's possible that regular cell phone use will cause cancer; or pesticides or excessive estrogen in the form of oral contraceptives. It's also possible that these things will not cause cancer.
Then there are things that we are certain about; we have tools to fight cancer under the correct circumstances and sometimes they are effective.
In a sense, we are obligated to live in the unknown. There are prophylactic measures to be taken, but even this seems like guesswork. For instance, "the National Cancer Institute recommends a diet with large amounts of colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods supply ample amounts of Vitamin A, C, and E, as well as phytochemicals and other antioxidants that help to prevent cancer. There is strong evidence that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits will not only reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes, but will also protect against cancer."
But then again, there was a study [aren't these our primary means of determining data?] among women with breast cancer in California a couple of years back that determined that there was not relationship between tumor growth and fruit and vegetable consumption. Again, we are working with a lack of certainty.
With respect to the treatment of cancer, TCM is necessarily going to approach cancer differently than the western model by virtue of the fact that TCM treats disease differently. TCM views the body as a living system that requires a state of balance; a deficiency of the spleen impacts the state of the liver. While TCM views disease as a pattern [affecting the system], western medicine breaks disease down to it's smallest particle to contain or eliminate.
Another primary difference in terms of treatment is the emphasis in TCM on strengthening the body in order to heal. I have a friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of months ago. She is 35 years old and vital. Her prognosis was grim; six months to a year at best. She has been undergoing chemotherapy as well as using chinese medicine. In the last month, her white blood cells and neutrophils have been too low to receive chemo and so she's been resting and taking potent doses of deer antler, or lu rong. Lu rong has the function of tonifying the kidneys and fortifying the yang, warming the yang and regulating the Ren and Chong vessels, tonifying the Du, augmenting the essence and blood, and strengthening sinews and bones. It also tonifies and nourishes qi and blood. After a month of taking lu rong, Valerie is stronger and able to receive her last few rounds of chemo.
This to me, is a fine example of integrating eastern and western medicine. They function quite differently, and in the case of a chronic disease such as cancer, may complement one another well. In an ideal world, we would work almost entirely with preventative health, and process' such as chemotherapy would be unnecessary. But that's not where we are today. For now what we can do is start where we are.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Carbon offsets
I suppose the question of efficacy depends upon the desired outcome. If what is intended has to do with reducing carbon emissions, then this is a small step indeed. But I'm of the mind that every small step that makes us aware of our impact is useful.
As far as increasing air passenger duty, while this may be effective should the funds go to the correct environmental agency, I'm not convinced that this would have any effect on consciousness raising. I'm more inclined to believe that it would simply be another fee tacked onto an already steep bill and I, for one, would have very little awareness of what I was paying for.
Along these same lines, would it not be taxpayers that would absorb the cost of minister's or civil servants wandering around the world? Again, "effective" depends upon expectation. Perhaps if tax payers were aware of a significant cost they would discourage government from traveling abroad with such frequency, and perhaps this would do more in the long term than an environmental fund in the short term.
As evidence to a citizen's ignorance regarding taxation, I wonder what became of this program. I wonder if this is something we've adopted or whether there's some variation that's been implemented here. I am certainly remiss in my democratic duties regarding the destination of my tax money. For that matter, I've not once pored over an airline bill to determine what fees are paid to whom.
A similar consideration would be tacking this type of fee onto gasoline costs in urban areas, provided that public transportation is a reasonable alternative. The city of San Francisco has raised parking fines for more congested areas to reduce traffic as well as continuing to raise bridge tolls. This is the type of change that I would find most effective, in particular concurrent with reducing costs of public transportation systems. In this way individuals are encouraged to consider our impact and make every day choices in the direction of sustainability.
As far as increasing air passenger duty, while this may be effective should the funds go to the correct environmental agency, I'm not convinced that this would have any effect on consciousness raising. I'm more inclined to believe that it would simply be another fee tacked onto an already steep bill and I, for one, would have very little awareness of what I was paying for.
Along these same lines, would it not be taxpayers that would absorb the cost of minister's or civil servants wandering around the world? Again, "effective" depends upon expectation. Perhaps if tax payers were aware of a significant cost they would discourage government from traveling abroad with such frequency, and perhaps this would do more in the long term than an environmental fund in the short term.
As evidence to a citizen's ignorance regarding taxation, I wonder what became of this program. I wonder if this is something we've adopted or whether there's some variation that's been implemented here. I am certainly remiss in my democratic duties regarding the destination of my tax money. For that matter, I've not once pored over an airline bill to determine what fees are paid to whom.
A similar consideration would be tacking this type of fee onto gasoline costs in urban areas, provided that public transportation is a reasonable alternative. The city of San Francisco has raised parking fines for more congested areas to reduce traffic as well as continuing to raise bridge tolls. This is the type of change that I would find most effective, in particular concurrent with reducing costs of public transportation systems. In this way individuals are encouraged to consider our impact and make every day choices in the direction of sustainability.
the healing power of laughter
Of course laughter is the best medicine. We've all had the experience of genuine, gut wrenching laughter that changes, if momentarily, our world view. I find it not at all surprising that studies would indicate changes in neuro-endocrine response and am pleased to know that MD's may, now that it's been scientifically proven, recommend it as a means to wellness.
One arena in which I find laughter especially useful is in my ability to laugh at myself. That is, to not take myself so seriously, either in stress levels, success, or woes. Taking a step back from the momentous circumstances of my life always illuminates the reality of the situation in a way that promotes humor [and wellness].
One arena in which I find laughter especially useful is in my ability to laugh at myself. That is, to not take myself so seriously, either in stress levels, success, or woes. Taking a step back from the momentous circumstances of my life always illuminates the reality of the situation in a way that promotes humor [and wellness].
Friday, September 5, 2008
Food crisis
I feel ill equipped to offer solution to the global crisis in diet. Perhaps the first question is, what precisely is the crisis? If we are referring solely to the health crisis- rising rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes- then the food crisis must be dealt with on several levels.
Certainly major food corporations should be accountable and take responsibility for what we are being fed [both in terms of nutrition and advertisement], but it seems to me that there are root issues that ought to be addressed as well. First, who is subsidizing the food products that are making us ill? Michael Pollan addresses government subsidies and our dependence on corn in The Omnivores Dilemma, and in numerous articles in The New York Times Magaizine.
Also, I would argue that the ability to be healthy is directly related to socio-economic status. In other words, it is a privilege to be healthy, to have access to nutritious foods, to have the time to prepare and to eat them.
Finally, what about health care? Sure, we would be better served to address our health/diet crisis through preventative measures- ie. providing the necessary resources for nutritional wellness. But since we're not there, part of coping with a global crisis in diet [obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes], entails addressing who has access to health care. I've written more about this in a paper on obesity and health care and will send it along soon.
Certainly major food corporations should be accountable and take responsibility for what we are being fed [both in terms of nutrition and advertisement], but it seems to me that there are root issues that ought to be addressed as well. First, who is subsidizing the food products that are making us ill? Michael Pollan addresses government subsidies and our dependence on corn in The Omnivores Dilemma, and in numerous articles in The New York Times Magaizine.
Also, I would argue that the ability to be healthy is directly related to socio-economic status. In other words, it is a privilege to be healthy, to have access to nutritious foods, to have the time to prepare and to eat them.
Finally, what about health care? Sure, we would be better served to address our health/diet crisis through preventative measures- ie. providing the necessary resources for nutritional wellness. But since we're not there, part of coping with a global crisis in diet [obesity, heart disease, cancer and diabetes], entails addressing who has access to health care. I've written more about this in a paper on obesity and health care and will send it along soon.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Chimps make spears, humans make guns
Sometimes I wonder what war was like a thousand years ago. Even a hundred years ago, I believe it was a different business. It is not my intention to glorify war in any form; after all, aren't we all participating in small ways every day? Certainly the business of fighting has evolved over time; as we learn to kill people with more expansive and less personal means the stakes are heightened irrevocably.
I suppose I thought it an established fact that we'd evolved from chimps and that we carried with us a predisposition for self preservation and protection of our young. I find it curious that these "female traits" ["efficient and innovative, problem solvers, curious] are thought to evolve along the lines of gender. I wonder whether this is stated as a simple fact or in relation to male chimps.
I suppose I thought it an established fact that we'd evolved from chimps and that we carried with us a predisposition for self preservation and protection of our young. I find it curious that these "female traits" ["efficient and innovative, problem solvers, curious] are thought to evolve along the lines of gender. I wonder whether this is stated as a simple fact or in relation to male chimps.
Giant toads and colossal squid
I wonder whether these giant toads have posed a threat in their native Hawaii. This makes me think of McPhee's The Control of Nature- why is it so difficult for us to acknowledge that we don't always know what's best.
As for the colossal squid, just another indication that our awareness is quite limited. I hate to present a bleak perspective, but it seems that in our effort to control and anthropomorphize we lose a sense of the vastness of life. While the "agressive killer" and "poisonous species" certainly sound ominous, they may also be regarded as elements of a fine balance.
As for the colossal squid, just another indication that our awareness is quite limited. I hate to present a bleak perspective, but it seems that in our effort to control and anthropomorphize we lose a sense of the vastness of life. While the "agressive killer" and "poisonous species" certainly sound ominous, they may also be regarded as elements of a fine balance.
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