Healthy - lifestyle changes or a pill for the symptoms

[Donald]

I think many doctors are faced with suggesting lifestyle changes or a pill for the symptoms. High blood pressure for example.. loose weight and get in shape or take blood pressure pills. I think doctors have figured out most people won't make the lifestyle changes significant enough to not need any Rx.

If you have a symptom that could be fixed by lifestyle change will you go for lifestyle changes or a pill for the symptom

 

[daves87rs]

I take no pills (expect allergies) nor will I

I hate pills-short of cancer or main management, I can change my own life…..

 

[PWMDMD]

I think real life gets muddier than this, often. Lots of normal weight, healthy, exercising people still have hypertension or hypercholesterolemia or hypothyroidism or a bunch of other diagnoses. If a pill is going to extend their life, I’m all for it.

 

[ripcord]

By the time the symptoms show up, it's often pretty late for fixing the cause with lifestyle changes... and "life-habits" might be a better word choice than "lifestyle." Habits are hard to break. The older you get the more true this seems to be.

 

[vavavroom]

Affect positively with lifestyle changes what you can. Disease prevention should be everyone's goal. If you need a medication you need it. Hopefully, it works and isn't deleterious in some way.

 

[Leo99]

I failed lifestyle modifications for my blood pressure and cholesterol. I also have a genetic mutation that makes me susceptible to blood clots. After 3 clots, I'm on blood thinners.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I am willing to bet most doctors would tell you 99% of people will not make the lifestyle change, even if its killing them. So they prescribe the drug.

 

[CKN]

I think many doctors are faced with suggesting lifestyle changes or a pill for the symptoms. High blood pressure for example.. loose weight and get in shape or take blood pressure pills. I think doctors have figured out most people won't make the lifestyle changes significant enough to not need any Rx.

If you have a symptom that could be fixed by lifestyle change will you go for lifestyle changes or a pill for the symptom

Let's not spread misinformation here-some people eat right and are very skinny and still have blood pressure issues.

I know a few.
In some causes it is due to diet and lack of exercise.
These quasi medical threads on this forum are lately getting out of hand.

 

[JohnnyG]

Don't forget about heredity.

 

[vavavroom]

I am willing to bet most doctors would tell you 99% of people will not make the lifestyle change, even if its killing them. So they prescribe the drug.

That's right. The vast majority of people is undisciplined and always choose what they perceive as the easiest path. Most people lack motivation beyond basic greed.

 

[vavavroom]

Don't forget about heredity.

Even more reason to make the best of what you have. Gene expression is not necessarily a given. And by the same token, great genetics don't mean you can without ill effect be negligent.

 

[ripcord]

Let's not spread misinformation here-some people eat right and are very skinny and still have blood pressure issues.

I know a few.
In some causes it is due to diet and lack of exercise.

True, that. Like my 95lb mother in law. While it's true that many people could get off blood pressure meds if they got down to their ideal weight, but a "someday" ideal weight is not the same as having controlled high blood pressure. There are too many issues associated with high blood pressure to wait for one's "someday" ideal weight.

 

[PKFan]

When my doctor tried to prescribe blood pressure meds, I said no, I'll work on diet and exercise. He never even suggested lifestyle changes. 20 years later, I take no meds, run/exercise regularly, and am in better shape than most people my age (early 60s).

And doctors make more $$ from prescribing medicine than they do from suggesting lifestyle changes. On the other hand, I also realize most people are too lazy and/or undisciplined to avoid the meds.

 

[Al]

Let's not spread misinformation here-some people eat right and are very skinny and still have blood pressure issues.

I know a few.
In some causes it is due to diet and lack of exercise.
These quasi medical threads on this forum are lately getting out of hand.

Me included. No options. But you can DO BOTH. take the pill and lead a healthy life...duhhh

 

[CKN]

When my doctor tried to prescribe blood pressure meds, I said no, I'll work on diet and exercise. He never even suggested lifestyle changes. 20 years later, I take no meds, run/exercise regularly, and am in better shape than most people my age (early 60s).

And doctors make more $$ from prescribing medicine than they do from suggesting lifestyle changes. On the other hand, I also realize most people are too lazy and/or undisciplined to avoid the meds.

Generic blood pressure pills are dirt cheap-I question how much money Doctors make on them.

 

[ripcord]

When my doctor tried to prescribe blood pressure meds, I said no, I'll work on diet and exercise. He never even suggested lifestyle changes. 20 years later, I take no meds, run/exercise regularly, and am in better shape than most people my age (early 60s).

And doctors make more $$ from prescribing medicine than they do from suggesting lifestyle changes. On the other hand, I also realize most people are too lazy and/or undisciplined to avoid the meds.

Doctors have to work by the odds. Most people are going to have a better outcome taking the BP pills than a new years resolution that rarely pans out.

 

[Al]

When my doctor tried to prescribe blood pressure meds, I said no, I'll work on diet and exercise. He never even suggested lifestyle changes. 20 years later, I take no meds, run/exercise regularly, and am in better shape than most people my age (early 60s).

And doctors make more $$ from prescribing medicine than they do from suggesting lifestyle changes. On the other hand, I also realize most people are too lazy and/or undisciplined to avoid the meds.

Lol..no they don't

 

[ripcord]

All that most doctors get out of prescribing expensive medications are an extra visit from the drug rep (and the hot cutie that pulls his sample case around).

 

[Cujet]

I'm walking proof that diet and exercise is no match for actual disease. I was an athlete, bicycle racer, quite fit and very careful organic eater. Epstein Barr virus put me in the hospital at age 33, Immediately followed by thyroid failure, zero T and despite my best efforts and an increase in activity, weight gain. Followed by secondary adrenal failure, Anti RNP antibodies and mitochondrial dysfunction.

I won't live more than 2 days without T3 and Hydrocortisone pills. I can't function at all without Prednisone due to autoimmune disease attacking muscles, fingertips, eyes, brain stem and more.

I'm off to do a bicycle ride. Wish me luck. Some days my muscles fail.

I love that people promote healthy living. I know it's not a cure for serious disease, genetic mutations and inherited disasters.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I think doctors have figured out most people won't make the lifestyle changes significant enough to not need any Rx.

I am willing to bet most doctors would tell you 99% of people will not make the lifestyle change, even if its killing them. So they prescribe the drug.

Yep, and it might be malpractice if they don't. Sleep, diet, and exercise will cure many people or get them off pills but no one want's to do this hence Ozempic et. al.

Many think it's big pharma and evil Drs just trying to make a buck but it literally is the quickest and usually most effective path.