Have you heard of 'Western Medicine'? You may have already received treatment using this method. Simply put, when you usually have a fever, or a stomach ache, or any other illness, you go to see a doctor, whether it's your family doctor, a clinic, or a hospital, and the treatment you receive is often called Western medicine. This is the medical system that is mainly used in many countries of the world today, as well as in our country, Sri Lanka, and has a scientific basis.
So what exactly is 'Western Medicine'?
Okay, let's go into a little more detail. This 'Western Medicine' refers to the major healthcare system that originated in Western countries like America and Europe and is now widespread throughout the world. When you go to a doctor's office, a medical clinic, a hospital, or an urgent care unit, you will receive treatment from this system.
The special thing about this is that this medical system is based on scientific evidence . That is, it is not just guesswork, but what is used in this is research, discovery, and proven. Doctors, that is, doctors, use these proven methods to diagnose your illness, give you the right treatment for it, and also to improve your overall health. Medical schools in countries like America mainly teach about this Western medical system.
What is the history of this?
If we go back to the early days of Western medicine, it began largely in Greece. A Greek physician and philosopher named Hippocrates is considered the father of Western medicine. You may have heard of the Hippocratic Oath, which doctors swear by, and that is also related to him.
In ancient times, Hippocrates and his medical followers believed that illness occurred when there was an imbalance in four fluids (called 'humors') in our bodies. These four fluids were:
- Black bile
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Yellow bile
At that time, doctors saw these changes in the body as the cause of illness. Their treatments were aimed at restoring the balance of these 'humors'. In fact, for that time, it was a big step forward, because that was where they started looking for physical causes of illness. But now, science has advanced so much that we don't use this 'humors' story anymore.
What other names are there for 'Western medicine'?
Yes, it has several other names. You may have heard these names too:
- Allopathic medicine: This name is used most often.
- Biomedicine: This name is also given because it is based on biological principles.
- Conventional medicine: This refers to the generally accepted, widely used method.
- Mainstream medicine: This also has the same meaning as above.
- Orthodox medicine: In the sense of the established, standard method.
- Traditional medicine: This can be a bit confusing. Although this is called 'traditional' in Western countries, it should not be confused with things like Ayurveda and indigenous medicine in our country. This refers to what has been 'traditional' in the Western world and has now become the main method.
So no matter what name you use, it often means the same thing.
Who provides these Western medical services?
In our country and in many countries around the world, the majority of healthcare workers are accustomed to using this Western medical system. Your family doctor (Primary Care Physician) , dentist (Dentist), pharmacist (Pharmacist) all work in this system. In addition:
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
- Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists
- Physician Assistants
- Psychiatrists and other mental health providers
- Surgeons
All of these are part of the Western medical system.
Imagine, when you get sick, the first thing you go to is your family doctor. He or she can assess your condition and refer you to another specialist if necessary.
Specialists are doctors who have studied a specific organ system or part of the body in depth. They can provide more targeted treatment for diseases in that specific area. Here are a few examples:
- Cardiologists: For heart-related diseases.
- Endocrinologists: For things like hormones and diabetes.
- Gastroenterologists: For things like the intestines and liver.
- Immunologists: For things like allergies and asthma.
- Neurologists: For diseases related to the brain and nervous system.
- Ophthalmologists: For eye-related diseases.
- Orthopedists: For problems related to bones and joints .
There are many more specialist doctors like this.
What are examples of Western medicine?
We say that this method uses scientifically proven methods to diagnose and treat diseases. Take a look at these examples:
- Blood tests: You've probably had a lot of these done. For example, `(Complete Blood Count - CBC)`, `(Basic Metabolic Panel - BMP)`, `(Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - CMP)`.
- Cancer treatments: Things like `(Chemotherapy)`, `(Radiation Therapy)` and `(Targeted Therapy)`.
- Imaging techniques: These are used to look inside the body, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
- Medications: Thousands of medications, including antibiotics, pain relievers, and biologics.
- Screening tools: Tests such as `(Mammograms)` (for breast cancer), `(Colonoscopies)` (for colon cancer), and `(PSA tests)` (for prostate cancer) that detect disease early.
- Surgical procedures: Various surgeries, from laparoscopic surgery, performed through small incisions, to robotic surgery, performed using robotic technology.
Western doctors believe that there is a big connection between your physical health and your lifestyle. That's why they put a lot of emphasis on preventing disease as much as possible. That's why they encourage you to eat healthy , move your body , and quit smoking .
What are the main goals of Western medicine?
In this method, doctors focus their attention mainly on the following points:
- If possible, curing a disease completely.
- Diagnosing conditions accurately using advanced technology and imaging scans.
- Easing and managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
- Preventing the spread of illness and disease.
- Slowing and stopping disease progression.
What is the difference between Western medicine and Chinese medicine (Eastern Medicine)?
You may have heard of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It focuses on a vital life force called Qi or Chi (pronounced "chee"). Chinese medicine says that when your yin and yang (these are the components that make up your life force) become unbalanced, illness occurs.
Chinese medicine is also called 'Eastern medicine' because it has its roots in the eastern part of the world, like China.
Although this Chinese medical system is over 3,000 years old, it has not been researched as extensively as Western medicine. Compared to Western medical practices, there are fewer scientific studies on the effectiveness of Chinese medicine. However, some Chinese medical treatments, such as acupuncture, have some scientific evidence. That is why some Western doctors use them as complementary therapies .
Whether you go to your family doctor or a hospital, you will receive traditional Western medical care. Western medicine focuses only on scientifically proven methods of diagnosing and treating diseases. However, many Western doctors sometimes use complementary therapies, such as acupuncture. But there is one thing to remember. Some complementary therapies, especially herbal supplements , can interact negatively with Western medical care.
Therefore, it is always important to talk to your doctor before trying a new treatment. Don't just go about making decisions alone.
What is the message we want to take home from this story?
Okay, so from what we've discussed, you should understand what 'Western Medicine' is. Simply put:
- This is the main medical procedure we usually receive when we go to a doctor or a hospital.
- This is based entirely on scientific evidence. That is, only researched and proven treatments are used.
- This method helps to diagnose, treat, prevent diseases, and improve our quality of life.
- In this, many people, including doctors, nurses, surgeons, and various specialists, work together to serve you.
- If you are using other complementary therapies, it is a must to talk to your doctor about it.
So, I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. Stay healthy!
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