“The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and Doctor Merryman” is a favorite quote from Jonathan Swift. (Doctor Exercise is equally important.) Another favorite quote is from William Osler: “The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature which distinguishes man from animals.” So is lifestyle more important than pills – or can science begin to find the balance? One thing for sure, the smart geriatrician is always trying to find the minimal dose of meds we really need, knowing well that all medications can have unwanted side effects.
The current issue of Aeon has an interesting article about this by a medical resident at Mass General. Click here for the essay.