Cure for the Common Cold

Posted by David | Filed under Philosophy

Is it worthwhile to take regular medication for the average cold/flu or allergies? Are the flu and chicken pox vaccines necessary for healthy children and students? These are questions that I find myself alone in asking — most of my friends take some form of pill or drug almost daily, and double the intake whenever they’re sick. In the rare instances where they aren’t taking medicine, they’re popping vitamins like PEZ tablets. And for most of them it’s simply following their parents’ example.

This intrigues me because my father is a family physician, yet never took nor gave us children many medications or vitamins. We were taught instead to observe 6 key principles for health: eat healthy, drink water, rest often, get plenty of sunshine, exercise regularly, and stay optimistic. And the funny thing is, I do believe it really works. For one, I rarely get sick these days unless my stress level is really high, and even then I usually recover within a few days. Compared to some of my friends who seem perpetually ill, I have to wonder if they’ve built an immunity to all of the Tylenols and Benadryls.

The bigger issue is where this philosophy of pill-popping has originated. Is it because of the steady stream of television commercials constantly claiming that Drug A is the “#1 Doctor Prescribed Treatment?” Or is it because doctors actually are prescribing so many medications? While I’m sure most people recognize that pharmaceutical companies are behind the commercials, how many consumers really know that it’s those same pharmaceutical companies that teach doctors what medications to prescribe? Doesn’t it seem like there’s a little bias towards prescriptions when those prescribing a medication are being coached by its makers?

Don’t hear what I’m not saying — the advance of medical expertise is an important factor the quality of life that we enjoy today. But that doesn’t mean that our bodies can’t take care of themselves in normal everyday situations if we actually pay attention to our health.

I’m curious as to your thoughts on the issue… assuming there is a “you” somewhere out there. :)

Permalink | April 30th, 2005

One Response to “Cure for the Common Cold”

  1. Stephanie Says:
    April 30th, 2005 at 5:45 pm

    Ever since I got sick, I have been very very cautious about taking any kind of meds, especially after learning that the particular illness can be caused by any medication, not just penicilin, which is the most common trigger. Have your friends read about Stevens- Johnson Syndrome…. that should scare em straight