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Funny I should get the following article in my e-mail box this morning:
Medical Interventions a Leading Cause of Death
Not long ago I read a report that made the astonishing claim that the leading cause of death in the US is the American medical system. Medicare’s recent announcement that it will no longer reimburse hospitals for the cost of treating certain “serious preventable events,” such as an object left in a patient’s body after an operation or giving a patient the wrong kind of blood, and particular infections amounts to a frightening acknowledgement of how bad things have gotten in mainstream health care. Authors of the report on causes of death, published in Life Extension magazine, attributed nearly 800,000 deaths each year to medical interventions, in contrast to approximately 650,000 deaths from heart disease and 550,000 from cancer. The methodology they used to calculate that number didn’t stand up to our analysis, so I don’t think the numbers are quite so high. However, it did get my attention since the figures came from credible sources including peer-reviewed medical journals, citing for instance, 106,000 deaths annually from adverse drug reactions, 98,000 from medical errors and 88,000 from infections. This compares with 160,000 deaths from lung cancer anticipated for 2007, for instance. Death can’t be held off forever, of course — but preventable deaths from hospital-acquired infections, especially if due to poor hygiene such as those transmitted by not washing hands, are particularly egregious. For greater insight into the risks we face, I spoke with David J. Sherer, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist in Falls Church, Virginia, and the coauthor of Dr. David Sherer’s Hospital Survival Guide: 100+ Ways to Make Your Hospital Stay Safe and Comfortable (Claren). He said that although this report is controversial and somewhat alarmist, it has elements of truth. Numbers can always be crunched and interpreted in different ways, but the indisputable point here is that medical errors and complications or adverse effects from medical interventions have reached a crisis point in this country — one that needs to be addressed. That’s beginning to happen. http://link.dhn.bottomlinesecrets.com/t/PBSS/25G5/B7/2PV1G Dr. Sherer and I discussed what’s behind this alarming trend and how we can protect ourselves.
BEHIND THE RISE IN MEDICAL-RELATED DEATHS First of all, the problem is not that medical practitioners have suddenly and inexplicably become sloppy and careless. That’s far too simplistic an explanation. Instead, Dr. Sherer chalks up the alarming statistics to a number of different factors: *The American public is getting older and sicker. Growing numbers of graying baby boomers are developing the diseases of aging — heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic problems, etc. In the meantime, in people of all ages, ballooning rates of obesity contribute to these same health challenges. More sick people mean more medical interventions… and in hard numbers, that adds up to more mistakes or complications. *In a kind of medical “perfect storm,” just as more Americans are developing serious health problems, we’re struggling with a shortage of medical support personnel including nurses, which decreases the attention paid to patient needs and details of treatment. Also, managed care has meant doctors have less time to devote to patients during office visits and, as a result, are less likely to know the particulars of their history. Dr. Sherer warns that this sets up a system ripe for errors. *Americans today take more medications than anyone else in the world — and drug companies are working hard to get us to take even more. Spending on direct-to-consumer drug advertising has increased over 300% in nearly a decade, to $4.2 billion in 2005 from $1.1 billion in 1997. With that much money aimed at advertising drugs not just to save lives, but to enhance mood or correct erectile dysfunction or alleviate restless legs syndrome, Dr. Sherer points out that drugs are often being taken by people who don’t need them. More drugs mean more drug reactions and interactions to juggle than ever before… again, many more opportunities for errors. *We’re paying closer attention to medical errors and preventable complications and — paradoxically, the harder we look for them, the more we find. This makes the numbers look terrible in the short run, but in the long run this increased vigilance and accountability should result in improved care.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF Forewarned is forearmed: There are many proactive steps you can take to shield yourself and your loved ones from this epidemic of deaths related to medical interventions. At the doctor’s office or in the hospital, Dr. Sherer recommends… *Bring an up-to-date list of all medications you take. Make sure that you list not only prescription drugs, but also over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, vitamins and other dietary supplements. These can all react with one another. Also list the condition for which you take each drug. *Include correct name, spelling, usage and dosage. Dr. Sherer cautions that many drugs — for example, Xanax (for anxiety) and Zantac (to treat ulcers) — sound similar. A comprehensive and accurate list that includes the condition for which a drug or supplement has been prescribed will help ward off confusion and errors. This is especially important when dealing with health-care professionals who don’t speak English as their first language. *Tell practitioners about any drug allergies or sensitivities and all pre-existing conditions. For example, perhaps you are allergic to penicillin. While this information should appear on your chart, don’t take for granted that it does. Reminding health-care providers of your medical history, including drug allergies, is a simple and effective way to avoid potentially life-threatening medical errors. *Do your homework. If you are scheduled to take a new drug or undergo a test or procedure, first research it at reliable government, hospital or university-based Web sites such as http://www.medlineplus.gov or http://www.mayoclinic.com or http://www.jhu.edu (Johns Hopkins). Peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association (jama.ama-assn.org) and the New England Journal of Medicine (content.nejm.org) can also be excellent sources of information. An objective non-biased drug assessment database is available through both print and on-line subscription (www.factsandcomparisons.com/) — ask your health-care provider and/or pharmacist whether they use it.
*Speak up. Ask your doctor the right questions. Why do I need this drug/test/procedure? What are the risks versus benefits? Is this the best drug/test/procedure for my condition? What about side effects? In the case of tests, are the results typically straightforward or subject to interpretation? How often is this test/procedure performed at your facility? How often does the surgeon or other medical practitioner perform it? In both cases, the more often, the better. Will there be pain or discomfort? If your physician can’t or won’t take the time to answer your questions, it’s time to get a new physician. *Designate a friend or family member to be your advocate. When you’re ill, it’s all too easy to become nervous and forget the questions you want to ask, or fail to recall your physician’s advice. It’s not only comforting to have a trusted advocate by your side at such moments, it also contributes to a better understanding of the situation on your part, and more accountability on the part of your caregivers. If you’re in the hospital, try to have someone with you or visiting frequently so that they can get help/nurse’s attention if need be.
*Take personal responsibility. In the long run, you remain in charge of your own health. Responsibility includes not just your interactions with medical practitioners, but also making lifestyle changes that reduce your risk of illness. No doubt we will continue to hear more about this vitally important health topic — and I’ll continue to cover it in upcoming issues of Daily Health News. Given that hospitals will now have to absorb the costs of their mistakes due to Medicare’s refusal to provide coverage for “serious preventable events,” with a stipulation that prevents billing patients for them, too, it’s clear that they will focus intently on reducing these events, which can only be good news. And meanwhile, Medicare’s new hospital inpatient provisions will result not only in an estimated savings for the government of more than $20 million annually — but, we can only hope, the saving of many lives as well.
I never used it in my wash but I will start doing it today. I know it cleans mold real good and it makes a good cleaner for showers and toilets but I never thought about putting in my wash. We use it for washing vegetables, I use lemon for cleaning bacteria from meats, poultry and fish. Thanks for your life saving tips.
‘Air fresheners’ are another thing that the Ticos like and it’s often asphyxiating.
I try to blend in an be non-confrontational but, there are a few places like my local video rental store – where the air freshener is so strong that I literally hold my breath and I am very confrontational.
Knowing people with asthma and other respiratory problems I have explained to them that this is not good and could be very dangerous but … The air fresheners are still there and I now go to a different video rental store.
Caustic drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, toilet fresheners, antiperspirants (how natural is that? To stop a perfectly natural bodily function?) perfumes and air fresheners – All doing a magnificent job of polluting the inside now that we’ve succeeded in polluting the outside.
Spend a few years in Africa and you’ll get used to the body’s natural smell which – if you have a healthy diet – can be rich and enticing. Fill your body with drugs, junk food and then prevent it from sweating and you NOT do tend to be so “rich and enticing” no matter how much silicon there may be and how much expensive fragrances we slather over our bodies.
I had a disastrous evening (now it’s bloody funny) a few years ago when I was asked to explain the physical differences between Ticas & Gringas and as politely as I could (not possible) mentioned that the natural ‘fragrance’ of a woman who is ‘on the pill’ is TOTALLY different than a woman who is not.
This is obviously not a topic of conversation that most people feel comfortable discussing and few people are sensitive enough but it is one of the reasons that Ticas are so popular amongst North American men because very few of the women are taking contraceptives.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comI was telling a fellow Cuban on another thread that the people on this Forum not only know about CR, but that they’re also very knowledgeable about many other things. I hope he’s reading this thread because it certainly has been very interesting and educational. Unfortunately, my mother carries a pharmacy in her bag and my dad and I are always telling her that more people die from prescribed meds each year than from being a junkie, but it only seems to sink when she becomes aware that one of her meds is making her ill and I get her an alternative option that actually removes the side effect and the need for that med. People have to come to their own conclusions and sometimes it’s frustrating to see them flounder before making a better choice for themselves, but having the information available certainly helps. Thanks for all the great info!
I also use vinegar, but I had never thought of using it in the wash so I really appreciate that tip. Scott, as always, you’re comments are thought provoking and interesting…
Essential oils are a much better choice than those air fresheners. I’ve found a stationery store in San Ramon that carries a large selection of essential oils, my favorite being Magnolia which is a divine scent. A macrobiotica might have some oils, but I would check around Grecia because if they have them in San Ramon, they surely have them there. The stationery store had the infusers as well — a little porcelain gizmo that you put the oil in on top and then light a candle underneath. Other scents that are really lovely are lavender, bergamot, sandlewood, geranium, and orange oil. There was a guy outside of Quepos who was distilling organic essences — I bought some a few years ago, they were quite pricey, but worth the money.
Essential oils have become much more available with the growing trend of Aromatherapy these days and they can not only be wonderful to aromatize our surroundings, but also have mood producing qualities such as lavender which tends to calm, but you have to be careful not to use them indiscriminately since some can be cause skin irritations and some can actually produce negative health effects if not diluted in a carrier oil and even once diluted some should not be used at all. Even though putting some vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks or cloves in a pot, sprinkling it with water and putting it in a low temp oven will produce a great smell in your home, the essential oils from everything, but the vanilla will probably irritate your skin and need to be used with caution. Try to avoid using these essential oils unless you know the proportions to put them in a carrier oil & how they might affect you: Allspice, Camphor, Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, Savory, Thuja, Thyme, Turmeric and Wintergreen-similar to Birch which is less toxic. Try to just stay away from Hyssop (except for H. decumbens which is much gentler), Rue (Ruta graveolens–from the citric family and has a pretty powerful abortive/mutagenic qualities)–it doesn’t smell very good so I can’t imagine someone buying it for scenting purposes, but Penny Royal (Mentha pulegium), Narcissus, Santolina and even Parsely may smell good, but are very toxic and shouldn’t be used without extreme care–maybe not at all. Whenever purchasing essential oils for scenting purposes you should really ask about them from a knowledgeable source before buying anything other than some of the more common flower aromas. People gathered lavender and mint sprigs and put a little bundle nearby to scent their rooms and with everything that grows in CR having wonderful scents can be pretty simple. The Ylang ylang flower is really small, but you can smell that scent from far away on a warm Caribbean evening during the tree’s flowering period and the essential oil is pretty innocuous too so you could also scent your car or your home with it, but there is a beautiful flowering bush in CR that is called Reina de la Noche (Brugmansia sp. or Angel’s Trumpet) that has a bell shaped flower, is pollinated by bats and has an even more intense aroma than Ylang Ylang in the evenings. I find its scent alluring, but you should definitely NOT use this for inside your home or car since the whole plant is incredibly toxic including the aroma in large doses. I guess as with everything, just a little caution can go a long way while enjoying the best perfume maker in the in the world, nature…
I will look into some of those things. I curently have growing a lot of flowers that smell wonderful. I had no ideal that Reina de Noche was pollinated by bats. Very interesting. In the USA they sell essential oils in the health food stores. Where can you get them here?
Brugmansia sp. or Datura sp. as it was known before is usually pollinated by moths and the bats which are hunting the moths end up in the mix and some can self pollinate. It’s so beautiful to see it growing wild and cultivated in CR and the aroma is absolutely wonderful, I guess you can say it’s actually intoxicating :-).
I’m sure Maravilla would probably know of more places, I’ve seen them in San Pedro Plaza del Sol (in the natural food store) and some spas, but make sure they are true essential oils and not artificially perfumed oils.
I know that the Plinio Hotel in Quepos carries the line of organic essential oils in a variety of scents. I’ve used all I bought three years ago so I know longer have the bottles, but you could call them and ask them for the name and they would probably also tell you where they can be bought besides their hotel. A macrobiotica might carry some essential oils. If you have a mail service that delivers to Costa Rica, you could also order them online. They are a plethora of distributors of organic essential oils with some wonderful fragrances.
Maravilla, My son just turned 24. We are going to review all the meds he has taken and takes. You have given me a renewed concern for everything that passes our lips.
I got home a little while ago and it took me 20 minutes to go through the posts in my mail box. This has become a very busy thread. I had no idea there were that many of us concerned enough with health and medication to respond in the amounts we’ve seen. Most of the time we take things for granted and never check what we are actually doing to ourselves. Many of us, I’m sure, will have quite a different attitude when next visiting the doctor.
Jenny, this was a ball I had no intention of starting to roll. Now that the snowball is rolling downhill, I’m glad it happened. I’ve learned more in the past few days about taking care of ourselves, and the wonderful nature of the members here. I believe we all got an eye-opener on this one.
I agree with Alfred, I’ve learned something as well. People talking to each other is the key and solution to many problems. It is not only the cost of health care it is the way that health care is administered. I see CR falling into that same trap, my workers want a pill for everything. Most of them know about natural things to do for simple colds and headaches but the go get tha quick fix from the Pharmacy.
I have to go to the gym, this morning, I am working on a 7 year plan. It did not take me one day to get in this fix and it will take more then a day to get out of it. We have to remind ourselves that patiences is very important. A rapid quick fix has it’s long term problems.
Even with our coming presidential election and some of the fixes they have talked about for health care. All of us really need to look at what they are saying, so we will see the advantage and not big business see the advantage.
They may do any new health care programs like they did the intergration program of the sixties. A simple request was made for equal education and they started busing kids all over town, increased the cost of school operations and lowered the financial capablity for a better education. Instead of more school equipment and better salaries we got children being bussed all over the place.
The program could have been more effective if we the people would have voiced our thoughts, but instead we allowed them to develop the plan. I believe that a requirement should be, prior to any development of plans, there should be a board of people formed from all walks of life that can give in put and we develop our health care plans from that input.
Got to go to the gym, we the people. I dont care what any one says we do still have a voice.
I certainly agree with you Jenny and I can tell you that it took me a few years to get my health back after the Prednisone I took for the asthma ruined my health, but it didn’t happen until I took my power back from Big Pharma, narrow minded doctors and decided that I would question everything, find information with substance and make wiser choices. Fear is the one thing that is effectively used to keep patients “in line” and have them just unquestioningly follow doctor’s orders and diagnosis. Even if it’s true that “there is more time than life” (“hay mas tiempo que vida”), our life is a gift to us and hopefully we live it so that it’s also a gift to others and OUR own responsibility–we shouldn’t abdicate that no matter what degree or title someone may hold or because we’ve let fear become our only counselor. Pura Vida amigos/as!
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