I read a book once...and it seemed to really change my perspective...so recently I saw a chance to purchase it and I did. I am rereading it and it is causing me to question many things
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I understand what you are saying...and yes I agree surgery CAN be a vaulable and life-saving tool.
However, I like the OP, know that it is HIGHLY overused at times. For instance....the percentage of C-sec's that are truly "medically necessary" are 3-5% without the mother having been subjected to unessary medical interventions during labor. In a typical hospital setting with routine IV's and more agressive (note: not usually necessary) fetal monitoring this percentage goes up to 10% according to the American Obstetrics and Gynocolgy Council. However, the current C-sec rate in America is 40%...some states much higher....Texas for example (my state so I KNOW this number) is 48%. That means that conservitively speaking, 75% of the surgeries done on birthing mothers in the United States today are UNECESSARY....and this is according to the Council that justifies these surgeries.
So yes....sometimes they are necessary. But that doesn't mean as a private citizen you shouldn't be able to question, research and educate yourself on anything your doctor is telling you. Not to mention find the least risky procedure to start with.
I work at a Wellness Center. We've had people come in after carpel tunnel surgery in utter agony. They were specifically trying to avoid the second surgery their doctor said they HAD to have. After judicious chiropractic adjustments, massages, occupational exercises (posture analysis, etc) and physical therapy they were completely pain free! Was surgery necessary for them? Obviously not.
My philosophy is to begin with the least risky and least invasive solution FIRST....something not every doctor adheres to.
And they more you research the options available the more you'll be able to discover the option that truly IS the right one for you and your situation. People MUST take responsibility for their own health. I think that's what he was saying.
There is an extreme. Obviously....like people who refuse all blood transfusions or casts, etc. However, I don't think that's what he is talking about. He is talking about the misuse and tendancy to "over-do" in the American Health Care System.
It IS NOT what it should be. We are currently 28th (!) in infant mortality rates! That means 27 countries lose fewer babies than we do. That is SHOCKING for the level of education, and health we are at in our country. The American model of pregnancy, labor and delivery is NOT the ideal. The top five countries in infant mortality rates (Swedenm and Japan are among them) have 75% or more of their births at home under certified midwifery care. THAT is the ideal model...less drugs, less intervention, etc. LESS medicine.
So yes, Andrew is right to be concerned and right to point out the glaring faults. It is only through shining the light that the darkness is dispeled. My sister is also an RN, and she worked for a doctor who had a C-sec rate of over 75% so he could be paid as a surgeon in addition o being paid as an OB. There ARE problems to be addressed in the health care system...AND in people's mindset towards health and disease.
We eat junk foood and sodas for years and then wonder why we become diabetic. Late onset diabetes is a completely preventable disease. There are entire civilizations that have no known cases until we introduce a Westernized diet. Same with apendicitis. In one study I saw done a doctor saw only ONE case in his village in Africa....a young man who had studied overseas. Obviously not genetic in composition becuase as soon as he adopted the American diet (he kept his new diet once he came back to visit) he developed apendicitis and had to have the surgery. Did the surgery save his life? Yes. Was it PREVENTABLE? YES!
OK...you got me started. *grin* Sorry. I'll step off my soap box now.
However, I like the OP, know that it is HIGHLY overused at times. For instance....the percentage of C-sec's that are truly "medically necessary" are 3-5% without the mother having been subjected to unessary medical interventions during labor. In a typical hospital setting with routine IV's and more agressive (note: not usually necessary) fetal monitoring this percentage goes up to 10% according to the American Obstetrics and Gynocolgy Council. However, the current C-sec rate in America is 40%...some states much higher....Texas for example (my state so I KNOW this number) is 48%. That means that conservitively speaking, 75% of the surgeries done on birthing mothers in the United States today are UNECESSARY....and this is according to the Council that justifies these surgeries.
So yes....sometimes they are necessary. But that doesn't mean as a private citizen you shouldn't be able to question, research and educate yourself on anything your doctor is telling you. Not to mention find the least risky procedure to start with.
I work at a Wellness Center. We've had people come in after carpel tunnel surgery in utter agony. They were specifically trying to avoid the second surgery their doctor said they HAD to have. After judicious chiropractic adjustments, massages, occupational exercises (posture analysis, etc) and physical therapy they were completely pain free! Was surgery necessary for them? Obviously not.
My philosophy is to begin with the least risky and least invasive solution FIRST....something not every doctor adheres to.
And they more you research the options available the more you'll be able to discover the option that truly IS the right one for you and your situation. People MUST take responsibility for their own health. I think that's what he was saying.
There is an extreme. Obviously....like people who refuse all blood transfusions or casts, etc. However, I don't think that's what he is talking about. He is talking about the misuse and tendancy to "over-do" in the American Health Care System.
It IS NOT what it should be. We are currently 28th (!) in infant mortality rates! That means 27 countries lose fewer babies than we do. That is SHOCKING for the level of education, and health we are at in our country. The American model of pregnancy, labor and delivery is NOT the ideal. The top five countries in infant mortality rates (Swedenm and Japan are among them) have 75% or more of their births at home under certified midwifery care. THAT is the ideal model...less drugs, less intervention, etc. LESS medicine.
So yes, Andrew is right to be concerned and right to point out the glaring faults. It is only through shining the light that the darkness is dispeled. My sister is also an RN, and she worked for a doctor who had a C-sec rate of over 75% so he could be paid as a surgeon in addition o being paid as an OB. There ARE problems to be addressed in the health care system...AND in people's mindset towards health and disease.
We eat junk foood and sodas for years and then wonder why we become diabetic. Late onset diabetes is a completely preventable disease. There are entire civilizations that have no known cases until we introduce a Westernized diet. Same with apendicitis. In one study I saw done a doctor saw only ONE case in his village in Africa....a young man who had studied overseas. Obviously not genetic in composition becuase as soon as he adopted the American diet (he kept his new diet once he came back to visit) he developed apendicitis and had to have the surgery. Did the surgery save his life? Yes. Was it PREVENTABLE? YES!
OK...you got me started. *grin* Sorry. I'll step off my soap box now.
Angela <>
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