The beginning of a disease process may be compared to the familiar phrase, “one bad apple can ruin the whole bushel.” Historically, the approach to treating a disease focuses on that one “bad apple.” A classic example of this is the common treatment for diabetes, a malady in which the problem lies with
elevated blood sugar levels.
In treating the disorder, the major focus is on keeping blood sugar levels normal. Yet diabetes affects the whole body, especially the brain, eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and peripheral nerves. A better outcome can be achieved by focusing on and treating not only the symptom of elevated blood sugar, but the entire body as a whole. |