The AYUSH Chronicles


  1. The patient was one of those lucky ones who were incidentally diagnosed with liver cancer when an ultrasound was done for unrelated symptoms. I told him, "you have a small tumour in the liver. It does not seem to have spread anywhere. Your liver function is normal. If we take it out, there is a good chance that you will be cured of the disease." "Will there be pain?". he asked me. "There will be some but we medicate you for it and do other things like nerve blocks. The pain will be tolerable. I have not had a patient tell me that if he had known how painful it would be, he would not have had the surgery." "I don't like pain", he said, "can't you cure it with medicines?" I confessed that there was no way to 'cure it' with medicines. "I have been told about a very famous homoeopathic doctor. He has cured many patients with cancer. I'll go to him." I said "I can't force you to have surgery but at least get a CT scan done after two months and see if the medicine is working." He showed me the CT scan after 2 months. The tumour had nearly doubled in size. "You mean the medicine is not working?"
  2. This other patient had an advanced liver cancer. It had invaded the blood vessels of the liver and there were metastatic deposits in the lungs. Because of the underlying liver cirrhosis she also had jaundice and ascites. There was basically nothing we could do other than manage her symptoms. The family said "you're not offering us any hope. Shall we try Ayurvedic medicines or Homoeopathy?" I said "I know I'm not giving you any hope but some Ayurvedic medicines are known to damage the liver. Homoepathic medicines, on the other hand, should have neither effects nor side effects. I cannot think of a valid objection to them since we're not offering any effective treatment." I have not had any of these patients come back and say "see, we told you. She's better.". Never.
  3. This third one was the most surprising one. A patient of mine (who had a liver transplant a few years ago) went to see the local physician in Iraq (after having a bout of fever). He prescribed Liv 52. Apparently the contagion has spread across the world. Liv 52 has been promoted for preventing liver damage due to alcohol (it does nothing of the sort but many alcoholics are able to drink without remorse because they think they are protecting their livers by taking Liv 52) and as a treatment for 'jaundice', which, since it is often due to viral hepatitis, recovers on its own anyway. However, a study conducted in Europe, showed worsening of liver function when it was given to patients with pre-existing liver disease.
My friend Sudhakar Mohan assures me that the Ministry of AYUSH is a covert population control program. I think I agree with him.

Comments

  1. rakeshNovember 25, 2017 at 6:00 AM

    Sir many people believe there is indepth research needed in ayurveda and homeopathy especially for their claims to treat Life taking disease. Why don't you write to medical association and to PMO and Health ministry regarding this, by looking on your designation they will take your letter seriously.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VinayNovember 25, 2017 at 10:50 PM

      There is no need for research on the efficacy of Homoeopathy. Literally hundreds of studies have shown that it has no effect. The governments of Australia and UK have issued statements to the public that it has no efficacy beyond the placebo effect and that it can be dangerous by delaying effective treatment.
      With regard to Ayurveda, there is a conflict of interest for our government. They have sold the narrative of a wise and ancient Hindu nation which had advanced science and technology at a time when the West was peopled by savages. They will not sponsor studies which prove that the wisdom of the ancient Hindus was all humbug and that Ayurvedic medicines do more harm than good.

      Delete
  2. AjazgamesDecember 7, 2017 at 8:50 PM

    great. liked everything very much. keep it up and dont stop.
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    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2018 at 8:07 AM

    What's your opinion on the NMC bill and that AYUSH practictioners might be allowed to practice modern medicine through a 6 month bridge course?

    ReplyDelete

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