In this Unexplained Illness Podcast episode Dr Patrick Magovern discusses Unexplained Illness
In particular he looks at:
- Where to start with Unexplained Illness
- Understanding the layers of Unexplained Illness
- Analyzing the persistent unexplained symptoms
- Organising patient history in a meaningful way
- Timeline and past medical history
- Gastrointestinal function and its effect on the body
- Unexplained Illness and issues with Detoxification
- Mould Toxicity and symptomsStandard medicine teaches doctors how to make a diagnosis and is very useful in acute care. The standard medical model is woefully inadequate in patients who have chronic (ongoing) symptoms. Sadly, also in standard medicine when a patient has symptoms which are severe but which are not ‘in the disease book’ they may be labelled as suffering from somatic (bodily) symptoms which are coming from a psychological (stress or anxiety or emotional trauma) cause.
Each patient is different and I want to provide you with something that is readable and informative without being over turgid so I can’t really go into all the details or you would just find yourself completely bored to tears.
I have tried to look at some of the causes of persistent unexplained symptoms which I encounter in my practice and which are generally proven amenable to treatment over the years.
One word of advice regarding the medical system in Ireland is: it is impossible for general practitioners to be a master or a mistress of the detailed treatment of every kind of medical condition. The most important skill in general practice is to be able to diagnose patients and make a competent initial assessment and prescribe treatment. The greatest challenge for your GP is to be sure to pick up serious or life-threatening illness. Unfortunately it would add years to medical school if doctors were truly to be taught detailed skills for dealing with unexplained illness.
I delve more deeply into this subject matter in this Unexplained Illness Podcast