When you get sick, or just for a check-up, we all go to a doctor, a hospital, or a clinic, right? You may remember, from childhood, even if we had a fever or a cold, our mothers would take us to a doctor. That is the medical system that we are familiar with, which is largely called 'Western Medicine'. So today, let's talk about what it is exactly, how it works, how it differs from other medical systems, and all this.
What exactly is Western Medicine?
Simply put, Western medicine is the main healthcare system that we usually see in Sri Lanka, as well as in many countries around the world, such as America and Europe. When you go to see a doctor, a clinic, a hospital, or an urgent care unit, you will receive treatment from this system.
This uses methods based on scientific evidence. That is, a disease is diagnosed and treated based on research and proven facts, not just guesses. For example, when you have a fever, the doctor doesn't just give you medicine. Sometimes they ask you to do a blood test, and that's how they find out exactly what the disease is. That's how this method works. Also, these methods help to maintain our overall health at a good level.
In countries like America, medical schools mainly teach about this Western medical system. Today, this is the main healthcare system in most countries in the world.
How did this Western medical system start?
Now you're probably wondering where this Western system of medicine started, right? It has its roots in the Western world, specifically Greece. There was a philosopher and physician named Hippocrates, who you probably heard of in school. He is known as the father of Western medicine . He was the one who said that diseases are not caused by the wrath of God or by inhuman influences, but by natural causes in the body.
Hippocrates and his medical followers believed that illness arose when there was an imbalance in four fluids in our bodies. They called these 'humors'. The four were:
- Black Bile
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Yellow Bile
So, at that time, doctors saw physical causes of illness. The goal of their treatments was to restore the balance of these so-called 'humors'. That was actually a big step forward compared to the time.
Are there other names for Western medicine?
Yes, this Western medical system is called by several other names. You may have heard these names or seen them somewhere.
- Allopathic Medicine: This name is often used to distinguish it from alternative methods such as homeopathy.
- Biomedicine: This name is given because it attempts to understand and treat diseases based on biological and chemical principles.
- Conventional Medicine: But this should not be confused with our local traditional medicine (like Ayurveda). This is the generally accepted and most widely used method in Western countries.
- Mainstream Medicine: This name is used because it is the main system accepted and used by the majority of society.
- Orthodox Medicine: In the sense of the accepted and established medical system.
- Sometimes it is also called 'traditional medicine', but as mentioned earlier, that is relative to the Western world.
Who provides us with these Western medical services?
In fact, when we go to a doctor for an illness, most of the people we meet work according to this system. Your family doctor (Primary Care Physician), your dentist, the pharmacist at the pharmacy, all of them are part of this system.
Not only that, there are many others:
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners: These people are trained to care for patients, assist doctors, and sometimes provide basic care.
- Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists: These people help people recover after an accident or injury.
- Physician Assistants: These people can examine patients and prescribe treatment under the supervision of a doctor.
- Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals: Those who treat mental health problems.
- Surgeons: Doctors who treat diseases through surgery.
Another thing is, when you go to a general doctor, he or she can refer you to a specialist if necessary. These specialists are people who have in-depth knowledge of a specific organ system or type of disease. They use that knowledge to treat you. For example:
- Cardiologists: People who treat diseases of the heart.
- Endocrinologists: These are people who treat hormone-related diseases like diabetes and thyroid disorders.
- Gastroenterologists: Those who treat stomach diseases, such as gastritis.
- Immunologists: Those who look at immune system problems like allergies and asthma.
- Neurologists: Those who look at diseases of the brain, spine, and nervous system.
- Ophthalmologists: People who treat diseases of the eyes.
- Orthopedists: Those who treat problems related to bones and joints.
What are examples of Western medicine?
Okay, now let's look at some of the things that are used in Western medicine. Remember, these are all based on scientific evidence. You've probably heard about many of these things, and maybe even experienced them.
- Blood tests: These are probably familiar to you. For example, Complete Blood Count (CBC), Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). These can measure various things in the body and give you an idea of the severity of an illness.
- Cancer treatments: These include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy.
- Imaging techniques: These are used to look inside the body. These include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. These can help detect things like broken bones and tumors.
- Medications: Various types of medications such as antibiotics (for bacterial infections), pain relievers, and biologics (made from living cells and used to treat diseases such as cancer and arthritis).
- Screening tools: Tests that detect disease early. Such as mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colon cancer, and PSA tests for prostate cancer.
- Surgical procedures: Advanced surgical techniques such as laparoscopic surgery (surgery performed through small incisions with a camera) and robotic surgery.
Western doctors believe that there is a big connection between your physical health and your lifestyle. So they encourage you to prevent disease whenever possible. They may advise you to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and avoid smoking.
What are the main goals of Western medicine?
So what are the main goals of Western medicine? Simply put, they try to help us stay healthy.
- If possible, curing a disease completely.
- Diagnosing conditions accurately. Sometimes this involves using advanced technology, such as imaging scans.
- Easing and managing symptoms to improve quality of life. For example, reducing pain and helping people live normally, even in the case of an incurable disease.
- Preventing the spread of illness and disease. Vaccinations are a good example of this.
- Slowing and stopping disease progression.
What is the difference between Western medicine and Chinese medicine (Eastern Medicine)?
Now you may be wondering, what is the difference between this Western medical system and what we have heard about as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These two are two systems that were mainly developed in different parts of the world, based on different philosophical backgrounds.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on a vital life force called Qi or Chi . Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that illness occurs when there is an imbalance between your Yin and Yang . These Yin and Yang are the two components that make up your life force. They try to restore this balance through things like acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Chinese medicine is also called Eastern Medicine. This is because it has its roots in the eastern part of the world, especially in China. Although it is more than 3,000 years old, there is still not much research on Chinese medicine. Compared to Western medical practices, there is less scientific research on its effectiveness. However, there are some evidence-based findings in favor of some Chinese medical methods. That is why some Western doctors use them as complementary therapies . That is, in addition to mainstream Western treatments, as an aid.
Whether you go to your family doctor or a hospital, you will receive traditional Western medical care. Western medicine focuses on scientifically proven methods for diagnosing and treating illnesses. However, many Western doctors also use complementary medicine therapies. This may include Chinese or Eastern medicine, such as acupuncture.
But there's one thing you should definitely keep in mind. Some complementary therapies, such as herbal supplements, can interact with Western medical treatments you're taking. That means one medication can affect the way another works, or cause bad side effects. So, it's always important to talk to your doctor before you start any new treatment, whether it's herbal or something else. That way, you can be sure you're getting the best results and staying safe.
The most important things for you to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so here are some of the main things you need to remember from what we've talked about:
- Western medicine is the main healthcare system in many countries around the world, based on scientific evidence. This is what we encounter when we go to the doctor or hospital for treatment.
- This uses research-proven methods to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. It doesn't rely on guesswork.
- Many people, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, work under this system to help us.
- Blood tests, X-rays, surgeries, and various types of medications are examples of this method.
- If you are taking Western medicine along with other forms of treatment (e.g. Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, homeopathy, herbal medicine), you should definitely talk to your doctor. Some things can interact with each other, and it could even harm you.
Finally, when making decisions about your health, it is always wise to consult a qualified doctor and follow their advice. Don't just rely on what you hear or see on the internet and self-medicate! Your life is precious.
` Western medicine, modern medicine, allopathic medicine, traditional medicine, medical treatment, diagnosis, healthcare, Hippocrates, scientific evidence, specialist doctors
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