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Sheer Common Sense

by Vimala Ramu
(Bangalore, India)

I do not know whether it is a blessing or a curse that everyday a new medical theory is discovered, be it in medication or in treatment. The prevailing theories are unceremoniously dumped and the new ones adopted.


There is a ready made solution for every problem. So much so, we hardly ever think of natural solutions or traditional treatments.


While going to Shillong to join my husband, I purchased a full set of woolens for my three children, right from thermals, mitts and gloves to padded jerkins and coats. I was so eager to cover the whole list that I hardly ever thought of buying spares (unlike my husband who has spares for everything he has acquired so far, except for the wife!).

Thus we were all set for the Shillong winter.


One day I noticed that my daughter’s legs were covered with ugly rashes. I took her to a doctor of my acquaintance who happened to be an ENT man.

He took a look at her and declared that she had Bursitis. He ordered a set of laboratory tests for her as he was a bit doubtful about Bursitis bothering the female species while it was known to occur in the males.


After I brought her home, it suddenly struck me that she had been wearing the thermals day in and day out ever since we came to Shillong and that I hardly had a chance to wash it. I asked her to remove it. Once I washed and put it back on her, the rashes simply disappeared.


The second case of commonsense overtaking the advancement was, in the case of my third child. Ever since I took him to Delhi as a 6 month old baby, he used to suffer from clogged nose, which was pretty miserable to watch even. When I took him to the doctor, he prescribed some nasal drops which were quite effective in clearing his nose.


But, on some days, the normally active child would become totally weak and unresponsive by evening and would not leave my lap the whole day.

When I discussed this with the doctor, he asked me to bring the child to the clinic. But, even as I was entering the clinic, I remembered that the strange condition happened every time I used the nasal drops. So, instead of the symptoms, I conveyed my findings to the doctor. He concurred with me that the child could be allergic to the drops and asked me not to use it anymore.


Another time, I was wracked by severe back ache. The health centre doctor, whom I consulted, ordered a series of laboratory tests suspecting damage to kidney. While walking home, I suddenly remembered that I who was used to high heeled Hawaii chappals at home had been using a flat pair as I could not find time to buy the replacement for the discarded one. But as soon as I bought a new pair of high heeled ones, my backache disappeared.


While prompt consultation and treatment are certainly advisable for any problem, it is also necessary to ponder over the situation to see if you can find out the reason for it. However bizarre it might look, the cause you arrive at might be the right one.


The End

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Oct 17, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Right You Are!
by: Geetashree Chatterjee

Most of the times we get overwhelmed by our problems and do not look for simpler solutions which are always ready at hand but generally overlooked. Enjoyed your take as usual.
Sep 04, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		thank
by: vimala ramu

Thank you Safia. I enjoy your writing too.
Aug 20, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Good one!
by: Safia.A.R

Enjoyed this.Thanks for sharing your experience.
Aug 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		thanks
by: vimala ramu

Thank you, Anonymous for visiting.
Aug 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		thanks
by: vimala

Thank you,Seetaram, Sneha and Isabel.
Aug 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great!!!
by: Anonymous

How well diagnosed! We ourselves have key to most of our problems, but do not care to use it, instead we tend to go for the remote controlled solutions administered by others. But, not to forget in many a cases its best recommended to consult the expert.
Aug 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Well said.
by: Seetharam

An old patient is better than a new doctor. This old adage holds good at all times. This is especially true with so many 'capitaton fee' doctors around.
Try out grandma's remedies first. Rushing to the doctor should be the last resort and not the first !
You said it all Vimala.
Aug 09, 2011
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starstarstarstar 		Sheer common sense
by: Sneha

Wise, very wise!
Aug 09, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		everything made sense...
by: isabel


That is so true, now a days everyone would rush to get an instant solution right away...not knowing it will create more problems and added complications.

I'd say medication may cure us of one thing but creates myriads of side effects.

We must relearn to find the root cause and solve/ cure it---if we would just remember to use our common sense as you've said.

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