5 ms·

This take ignores the fact that frequently the underlying condition is known, it just doesn't have any cure known to science. You've already been given the exa

by caf 5y ago

This take ignores the fact that frequently the underlying condition is known, it just doesn't have any cure known to science. You've already been given the example of rheumatoid arthritis - another one is Crohn's, where "treating the symptoms" with anti-inflammatory treatments like infliximab or even just common-or-garden steroids vastly improves patient's quality of life. You can't tell these people to hold out until the researchers figure out how to cure the underlying condition, because that means consigning them to a life of painful intestinal scarring, blockages, fistulas, and ultimately surgery up to and including bowel resection.

DoreenMichele 5y ago
You can't tell these people to hold out until the researchers figure out how to cure the underlying condition Nowhere have I recommended this or implied this. At all.
- caf 5y ago
  Well, that is the implication I took away from your comment - I've re-read it, and I'm still getting that from the part where you talk about short-term gains and long-term costs. Maybe it's just my different life experiences, but when I think about anti-inflammatory treatments I see the balancing of long-term gains versus long-term costs. Indeed the short-term effects of steroids are pretty awful!
  - DoreenMichele 5y ago
    But my comment isn't about individuals trying to manage their own health as best they can. It's about what kinds of questions researchers ideally should be asking. Those are wholly different topics.
    - caf 5y ago
      I think "I think it would be better to ask "What is causing the inflammation?" reads as if it is referring to the diagnostic process. At any rate, I believe we need to be researching both anti-inflammatory treatments and treatments for the underlying causes: we have no way of knowing whether a treatment for one of these illnesses is 9 years away or 90, and in the meantime advances in anti-inflammatory treatments are providing real benefits.

by caf 5y ago

DoreenMichele 5y ago

You can't tell these people to hold out until the researchers figure out how to cure the underlying condition Nowhere have I recommended this or implied this. At all.

caf 5y ago
Well, that is the implication I took away from your comment - I've re-read it, and I'm still getting that from the part where you talk about short-term gains and long-term costs. Maybe it's just my different life experiences, but when I think about anti-inflammatory treatments I see the balancing of long-term gains versus long-term costs. Indeed the short-term effects of steroids are pretty awful!
- DoreenMichele 5y ago
  But my comment isn't about individuals trying to manage their own health as best they can. It's about what kinds of questions researchers ideally should be asking. Those are wholly different topics.
  - caf 5y ago
    I think "I think it would be better to ask "What is causing the inflammation?" reads as if it is referring to the diagnostic process. At any rate, I believe we need to be researching both anti-inflammatory treatments and treatments for the underlying causes: we have no way of knowing whether a treatment for one of these illnesses is 9 years away or 90, and in the meantime advances in anti-inflammatory treatments are providing real benefits.