Is it REALLY a “Disease?”

There seem to be new “diseases” being discovered just about every day! And things we never considered “diseases” are now being classified as such. But are these truly diseases?

Let’s talk about type 2 diabetes.  Is that truly a “disease?”  Maybe we need a definition of disease first.  A disease is defined as “a condition caused by an invading microbiological agent.”  That refers to something you can catch from a microbe.   You cannot “catch” diabetes.  Instead, I say type 2 diabetes is a “disorder” of nutrition that results from our behavior and habits.  To consider it a disease is to excuse personal responsibility to make lifestyle changes.

 The definition of “disorder” is to disturb the normal physical or mental health of; to throw into confusion or disarray; a lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion.  When you choose certain behavior and habits you create disorder that disturbs your normal physical health.

The same can be said of other conditions that are considered and treated as if they are “diseases” like osteoporosis, menopause, high cholesterol and even cancer!  Think about this with me – drug companies want you to believe you catch or get a disease, the doctor then diagnoses it and prescribes a drug that you can take.  It’s a matter of reversing cause and effect.  For example, when you are tested and diagnosed with weak or brittle bones, you are told you “have” osteoporosis.  But osteoporosis isn’t the name of a disease that causes weak bones, it’s the diagnosis of a set of symptoms.  You already had weak bones; the doctor diagnosed it and then it was named osteoporosis.

We need to get past thinking we are simply victims of our DNA and family history and realize we make choices day in and day out that result in either better health, or symptoms that will end up being diagnosed and treated with drugs.

I love and completely agree with something Dr. Richard Schulze says about how to get healthy: “Getting well is easy.  All you have to do is stop doing what is making you sick and killing you.  Start doing what will heal you and create powerful health. Tomorrow is what you believe and do today.”

I personally believe that our health is MUCH more a matter of choices and habits than it is genetics.

Unfortunately we focus on treating and managing symptoms instead of getting to the root cause of the problem and correcting that.  The symptom is not the cause – by it’s definition, a symptom is “a characteristic sign or indication of the existence of something else.”   Think of it this way – the symptom is the “fruit” and in order to improve it you have to deal with the “root.” Just like a headache is not a “Motrin” deficiency, other symptoms are not the disease itself, merely a sign that something is out of balance.

If you’ve confused symptoms with diseases, do you see it differently now? If not, why not?

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Since nutrition is so pivotal to overall health and I find many people are overwhelmed and frustrated trying to figure out whether their diet is “healthy” I created and am now offering my 3 Day Diet Makeover!  It’s simple and easy – just fill out 3 days’ worth of meal logs and email them back and I will give you specific recommendations for how you can improve!  It’s such a simple, easy and affordable first step!  Click here to learn more!

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