Depression

Depression is complex and poorly understood. It is difficult in some cases to diagnose and usually difficult to treat. Progress will require a great deal of collaborative work. On the lower end of the spectrum there is often questionable use of drugs for mild episodes of depression and at the upper end severe depression that does not respond to potent medications with unintended consequences.

Knee Surgery

A study shows that knee surgery accomplishes very little in some cases where the problem is a torn meniscus and physical therapy will do just as well. This not an astounding insight. The same can be said for some back surgery, cardiac caths and coronary artery stents, as well as other common procedures. Keep in mind that medical care is a business. When a customer seeks service for a health problem that is a demand to do something and when you are a hammer the problem becomes a nail. It takes time to change established ways of doing things.  

Exercise As Medicine

The American public is conditioned to think of health in terms of medical care. Physicians are trained to utilize drugs for health problems and even for the prevention of health problems. Consider the recent recommendations for the use of statin drugs. Further, the standard of therapy involves drugs and the public expects drugs. This study indicates that exercise is the equivalent of drugs in some situations involving chronic diseases. Many health care providers know that lifestyle including regular, consistent exercise can avoid drugs. But will people do it? The answer is to not take the chance. So, until there is a significant change in our culture drugs hold center stage (don't forget the advertising by pharmaceutical companies). But lifestyle must be emphasized and with improvement in health plus patients tiring of taking drugs there may occur the opportunity to reduce or eliminate the drugs. Drugs are always more romantic before someone is leased to them. People need more confidence in themselves.  

Sleep Therapy For Depression

Adequate sleep is an important aspect of achieving and maintaining good health. It is part of lifestyle, difficult to manage and requires a comprehensive approach. If history proves to be an example there will be the growth of an "industry" surrounding the relationship of sleep and depression. As with all things health and medical there will need to be time and judgement to achieve useful conclusions as what works and don't expect it to be simple.