The endless talk about Climate brings me to another 'C'-word: Cure.
Medical Cure can be as frustrating as Climate Change.
Medicine has greatly advanced over the years, no doubt about that. People live longer, and the quality of their life is better. Still, many diseases are not curable. Sometimes they disappear, only to reappear later. In most cases, however, it's possible to manage and control disease (money, time, and patience required), but no Cure is promised.
There are quite a lot of health issues which aren't life- threatening, yet can certainly turn one's life into absolute misery even with all treatment options available. The chronic skin disorder, Psoriasis, for example.
I had a coworker - a fine , handsome young person; he got psoriasis after his devastating divorce from his wife, a career woman.
Following his doctor's advice, he used to go ,at least twice a year for three weeks each time, to the Dead Sea , to get temporary relief from the beneficial combination of sun, mineral water, sulphur pools, and dry desert air. Not cheap (there were only expensive hotels there), and sometimes grossly interfering with work schedule.
(Come to think of it, he should have moved closer to the Dead Sea area, but like other people, he put his trust and hope mainly in Science and its offerings, less in Nature ).
After their two kids grew up , he divorced his spouse and disappeared.
The last I heard of him was that he had left the country for Austria where his mother and sister lived.
I have the strange feeling that, regardless of his location, he's ok if retired from work and not remarried. For some people work and marriage are great stress generators , stress being the big killer of our era. And who knows, maybe he's somewhere in the Dead Sea region after all...
Following intense scientific research, there are lots of medical 'breakthroughs' regarding a great variety of diseases, breakthroughs which could, and do make a difference; and yet, contrary to expectations, they lead to no final cure. People continue to be slaves to doctors and treatments, and no cure in sight to free them.
In a way, medical Cure is like Climate change in that it belongs to the domain of a Power far beyond us.
Interesting that he developed the condition after such a stressful event. I wonder if there is an emotional trigger for these ailments. I have a theory that everything we need to heal us is here in our world. The desert air and the sand and salt of the sea sound good to me. I hope he found peace.
ReplyDeleteYour theory is probably correct, especally if applied to the Dead Sea. It used to be in those days (of few crowds and hotels) a miraculous place. My coworker came back a new-born man with smooth skin like that of a baby; but it lasted only a few months.
DeleteStressful events usually do trigger ailments if the person's immunity is weak.
Hi Duta! Agreeing with Sandi, and hope he found peace. And that more people will find God's great Shalom and live lives with less stress. Surely its not easy with all the stressors around us, and you are always so compassionate in your sharing and seeing the world around you. Blessings and happy summer! I enjoyed a short dip /float in the Dead Sea when in Israel! And brought back a lot of "products" as souvenirs:))Slowly coming back to the blog! Good to see you!
DeleteHi Shayndel, Good to hear from you!
DeleteI'm glad you've been to the Dead Sea, and even bought its products as souvenirs. Great Place (at least, it used to be in the past, before tourists invaded it)!
Yes, medicine has advanced over the years and can help many.
ReplyDeleteI think what has also increased is the amount of stress in our lives, and stress can often trigger illness, it looks for a weak spot.
So many of us go through our life searching for a 'life balance' some are fortunate to find it, while others do not.
Relaxation can help … and I am fortunate to be enjoying a relaxing weekend. I hope yours is too.
All the best Jan
The thing is stress is not always obvious like in the case of my former
Deletecoworker. So, it surely helps to include in our daily life balance and
relaxation as a preventive measure.
My husband developed Psoriasis on his hands. We heard a radio commercial about MG 217 for psoriasis, a salve sold over the counter at Walgreens drugstore, a coal tar based product. After spending lots of money at dermatologists, he tried that, and it cleared up. stress has an impact on our immune systems. The sea destresses me.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your husband found an effective solution!
DeleteThe coworker had psoriasis on the scalp, face, arms, hands. I don't know about his body .I suppose it was also affected. Sad, very sad. As a student he worked as male model for a clothing company. Imagine that, from a handsome model to a person covered with that awful condition!
I feel so much sympathy for your coworker friend - his condition certainly impacted on all areas of his life. I hope things are better for him wherever he is.
ReplyDeleteThe condition made him self-conscious of his skin, negatively affected his self-confidence and self=esteem.
DeleteI hope all this is behind him, and he's free of psoriasis now.
I have been a victim of stress in the past.
ReplyDeleteHasn't anyone? Stress is an integral part of modern life. Luckily, it can be reduced; we need to work on that.
DeleteHow very sad. I hope he found peace and his psoriasis improved.
ReplyDeleteYes, Susan, very sad indeed. Despite his condition, he was a sociable person with some good, loyal friends, and highly appreciated by his superiors. He was intelligent and with law background studies, so people sought his advice on various matters.
DeleteHe must be very sad and stress. I think there is no cure for this psoriasis, the meds and treatments only to help symptoms and to control flare-ups, also to prevent this disease from coming back.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. There's no cure; meds and treatments provide temporary relief. The only way to freedom from the disease might be to avoid stressful situations, and that's not simple at all.
DeleteAs everyone has pointed out stress seems to be a significant factor in many conditions, and there seems to be increased stress throughout the world, both at a personal level and at a national level. I am always happy that nature is my ally. I am sure that much stress could be alleviated by a simple walk in the woods, but most people seem reluctant to do that.
ReplyDelete"..nature is my ally" - good for you!
DeleteNature should be anyone's ally. A walk in the woods or on the beach, can indeed bring peace of mind, calm and relaxation to the body. Nature is a great healer.
I must admit that the illnesses I hate most are the autoimmune system ones, when your body is attacking itself like in the case of psoriases :( Because as we know it, your worse enemy is always you!
ReplyDeleteSecond thing I wanted to say is that I deeply believe that we have cures for most illnesses it's just that big pharma won't give them to us as the lack of sickness would leave them without money. I mean, we have mobile phones and TV screens that can be fully bent, we travel to space, do we really believe we don't have cures for cancer and other diseases already?
"..your worse enemy is always you!" - well put!
DeleteI detest Pharma and all the other corporations for taking advantage of us to maximize their profit, but I really do believe that climate and major diseases (like cancer)are not entirely in human hands, never will be. There's a power beyond us that controls it.
I myself had an almost fatal autoimmune disease, and parallel to change of life style I prayed (still do) to God, and it helped.
"In a way, medical Cure is like Climate change in that it belongs to the domain of a Power far beyond us."
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
Thank you. I'm glad you agree with me; after all it's not an optimistic view. I must, however say, that I've come to believe in this after realizing that human's abilities are limited, despite the technology.
DeleteI hate seeing the doctor and getting blood tests so often but I have a few illness that have to be treated including diabetes and hypothyroidism. Sometimes the side effects from the medications are worst than the illness.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, you're right about side effects of meds. The sad thing is that meds usually suppress the symptoms, don't prevent or cure. Perhaps you should try the alternative, natural approach.
DeleteI use Dead Sea Crème for my dry skin. My great-grandmother suffered from Psoriasis. My mother in her last year of life too. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors play a role. Especially infections and stress.
ReplyDeleteSometimes climate change can help with an illness. My sister had asthma. She had less problems when we went to live near the sea.
A change in climate can bring about a positive change in health issues.
DeleteAsthma is a good example. People with this condition are known to move to a location with a climate that is beneficial to breathing and lungs in general.
I feel so bad for your friend, and I know people who suffer with psoriasis, as well. It would be wonderful if they could find something that truly works, to make people's lives more comfortable. Also, DUTA, you look fantastic sitting there, by the Dead Sea. All your walking and efforts to eat well, have paid off.
ReplyDeleteOh, Bica - that's an old picture, the place, except 4 hotels, was like God created it. Haven't been to the Dead Sea in ages, because I get angry seeing what they do to this unique place.(By the way, walking doesn't help me much, nutrition is the key to keeping the right body weight).Thanks anyway.
DeleteWhat a sad story, hope he is fine now. Stress is really something that kills us all nowadays,but I like what you said about greater Power above us,that is so true☺
ReplyDeleteI hope too. I wish to believe that at least now, in his old age, the struggle with psoriasis is at an acceptable level.
DeleteThank you for agreeing with me on stress and the greater Power.
Each year I go to the Red Sea in Egypt to fill in my body with sunshine for the winter ! What a story ! It's a shame that they spend so much money to go to the moon and can't find a medicine to heal a cancer ! Not enough money for researches !
ReplyDeleteGood for you! The Dead Sea is even better as it heals various health conditions. There are good hotels both on the Jordanian bank and on the Israeli bank of the sea.
DeleteLet's hope your ex-co-worker finally found peace in his life...and if not cured of Psoriasis...at least, is experiencing as close to a cure as possible. Perhaps some serenity in his life is plays its part in curing...in healing...both body and spirit.
ReplyDeleteI suppose by now he has learnt his lessons, and knows what triggers the psoriasis attacks on him. Knowledge is power, as they say. There are things we can avoid by changing habits. Not that this is easy, but it gives people a choice.
DeleteToo bad about your friend, Duta! Stress can cause so many problems, for sure! I am a firm believer that pharmaceutical companies do not want a cure for many diseases due to the millions they make selling medications and supplies for the diseases. And all the funding they receive for research. The Dead Sea would be an interesting place to visit. Have a good rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteWhy should Pharma want a Cure? Breakthroughs, which give much hope and little relief to patients - make colossal money for the pharma companies.
DeletePeople are already aware of that, but cannot free themselves from captivity. It's a vicious circle which also involves the doctors.
I just heard today about implanting (previously obtained) uterine tissue to postpone menopause for twenty years. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteSounds like great news for women! Twenty years!!
DeleteImplantation of any kind is a complex process, but if it succeeds it becomes an exciting promise of evolution.
oh what a sad story I have known of someone to have that disease as well. He usually went to the North sea to swim in the salty water. Yes there are still many things that can't be cured but many can be prevented by living a relaxed and heatly life eating and drinking the right things and exercising. That is hard these day though as lots of people having stressful lives
ReplyDeleteYes, salty water does help, though temporarily. Stress is the big killer, but it can be conrtolled, if people will be willing to get to the bottom of what causes it, and sometimes choose to sacrifice a thing or two.
DeleteI have a chronic incurable lung disease (that can be managed, at least for now). WhenI was still working it was so stressful for the past two years I was VERY ill. Then I retired and amazingly have managed extremely well for most of that time, with primarily just the "normal" things people get -- sinus or colds. I know that can change but I fully agree with stress and therapies such as massage or other things that one finds help relax them. This is a lovely post and I hope your friend has found some peace and healing,
ReplyDeleteChanging work, and then retiring helped me too with my autoimmune disease which nearly killed me when I was younger.
DeleteSometimes, people love their work, feel good about it , and so they are unaware of the fact that it might nevertheless cause them health issues. It sounds odd, but it happens that only retirement solves the health problem.
Duta, this post about your friend was indeed sad. There was a somewhat bright spot in that he did remarry and even had children. I also believe that stress can cause or aggravate many conditions. Hopefully, your friend has been able to escape to a better environment for him.
ReplyDeleteHe wanted children, that's why he was anxious to remarry. Although we were not friends, only co-workers, he confided in me about his desire to be father at any cost.
DeleteI have a small patch of psoriasis, managed fairly well with a cream. Mine seems to be related to metal, belt buckles etc. I did read a while ago about a place in Turkey, where you get into the pond? pool? with the goldfish and they nibble at the patches, and they all go.
ReplyDeleteWhen I visited Heraklion, in Crete, I saw foot massage with some sort of fish.
DeleteInteresting to watch, but I don't think I would like fish or other organisms crawling on my feet or on other one of my organs. Anyway, apparently ,there are people who derive health benefit or pleasure out of it.
There is such a connection between positive thoughts and illness.
ReplyDeleteYou mean, perhaps, that negative thoughts might cause illness.Probably. We're strongly advised to be positive about thngs in our life.
DeleteYes, of course. I made a mistake! We know the causes of some disease, but sometimes there is no reason.
Delete