why do doctors treat the symptoms and not the cause of an illness?

Question

and why does the death rate drop when doctors go on strike

Answer 1

Because if they treat the cause...they would soon be out of a job.

Answer 2

Drs treat the cause, it is the best way to erradicate the symptoms. In cases where the cause is untreatable the symptoms are managed and treated.
Where do your statistics on death rates come from? I do not recall a recent strike by Doctors nor am I aware of any statistics showing a decrease in the death rate of a country where the number of doctors working decreases.

Answer 3

Doctors practising 'western' medicine have taken a lot of stick lately, but it's unfair to say that they do not attack the cause of an illness. They do both. But some causes are outside the scope of modern medicine today.
Take the use of antibiotics for example. If some one is suffering from a bactreial infection, the antibiotics they prescribe is attacking the cause by killing the bacteria. They might also prescribe something for the fever and pain (symptoms).
But we are beginning to become aware that many of the causes of our ailments often arise out of an unhealthy life-style. We cannot expect our doctors to treat that.

Answer 4

A lot of times its a problem of communication. If a person isn't persistent enough the symptoms that are readily apparent may be the only thing that get treated. If you think that something is wrong beyond the symptoms, then tell the doctor. Doctors rely on communication a lot, they need the patient to tell them what's wrong, what's working, and what isn't.

Answer 5

Doctors try to find out what exactly is the CAUSE to your SYMPTOMS...may not be that easy in some cases...take me for example...I complained for two weeks of pain in my left side and after 3 trips to the health center and 1 trip to the ER after developing a high fever and headache to add to that pain, I went through multitudes of tests only to discover that the health center was all wrong and had dropped the ball. It pays to be persistant and to listen to your body but your doctors do the best they can with what they are told.

Answer 6

Doctors do what they can to teach preventive medicine, but they have to know when a patient needs it to apply it. They don't have a way to know which patients are going to get sick. Nobody does. It's up to the patient to use as much prevention as they can.

Doctors usually only get calls when something is wrong. When have you called a doctor when you were healthy and made an appointment for some "prevention"? They are just people after all. When you find a way to determine which people are going to get sick and when, then you will become a millionaire selling the method.

Answer 7

They treat the disease from the symptoms and the treatment stops the cause.
Since Doctors are on strike, there's noone to keep records of the death rate till they return....
Think!

Answer 8

Doctors treat symptoms because the patient complains about them, if patients have no symptoms what cure would the doctor be attempting?
The death rate question is nonsense.

Answer 9

Because it's the symptoms that are the problem. And also, a lot of the time, you can't actually cure an illness, only stop the symptoms. The common cold is an example.

Answer 10

I think you have a great deal of misinformation.

Doctors treat the cause of illness when the cause is known and treatment is available.

I agree, communication between doctor and patient is key.

Answer 11

Most doctors don't have time to do the prevention stuff.

I was recommended a website where you can get a free WELLNESS EVALUATION which can help to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in your daily diet. It really is an eye opener and can help people to prevent illness and disease.

I feel great now and know that I am doing everything I can.