anon wrote:
> On 2004-02-14 22:13:15 -0500, talkback <
[email protected]> said:
>
>> No, I think I'll let an MD make the determination. But the information I found indicated that
>> some 25% of children with these symptoms may in fact have sinusitis. That, coupled with 3
>> indicators which specifically suggest sinusitis seems to make it a POSSIBILITY, even for a
>> thought process deficient lay idiot like myself.
>
>
> I never called you an idiot.
No, I did. In terms of medical training I have an idiot's equivilancy.
If only 25%, as you say, of persons with
> your daughters symptoms have sinusitis, and you conclude that she must, therefore, have sinusitis,
> you're *thinking* like an idiot.
I disagree. I would hope that any professional drawing any conclusions would not discount anything
because of it's relatively low incidence of occurance. If one is guessing, then I suppose that
probability would be a significant factor, but ideally one would hope that a diagnosis could be made
based on observable symptoms, tests, etc.
>
> Statistical probability *always* plays a role. How do doctors find the off zebra amongst the herds
> of horses that they see every day? Well, my friend...that's what medical school, residency, and
> years of experience are for. Asking a doctor "how do you diagnose" is like asking Pavorotti "how
> do you sing" (not that I'm on the same level as Pavarotti, but you get the point).
I'm sure you have a lovely voice. (-;
The point is, it's an *art* as well as a science, and
> it's more complicated than plugging terms into Google or a computerized "diagnosis" program and
> seeing what spits out.
I completely agree. When faced with an unusual situation the "art of diagnosis" is a powerful
tool. I was, however, referring to less esoteric ailments - ones which could be determined by
observation and test.
>
> I'm completely in favor of people taking more responsibility for their health, but while knowledge
> is power, power corrupts.
I think I was corrupt before I knew anything. (-; Many people arm
> themselves with information, thinking that it equates with knowledge, but without the background
> to interpret information properly, they are often led to conclude things that simply aren't so.
That's why I said I leave the conclusions to the professionals.
Witness the
> explosion of "alternative" medicine, with its junk science and anti-establishment rhetoric. Yet
> people are buying it (literally, to the tune of billions of dollars annually), hook, line, and
> sinker. Is there a diamond or two in the rough amidst all the snake oil? Almost assuredly.
> However, there's still a lot of snake oil out there.
Go to a homeopath, become a raw foodist, buy lottery tickets. It's your life. Just spare me from
having to listen to you.
> Nobody's perfect, and that includes doctors and pharmacists. You *should* double-check your
> prescriptions. Personally, this is common sense to me, but some people don't think they should
> have to do it.
I read some alarming statistics on the number of people becoming seriously ill from mixed up scrips,
and this does not include the potentially huge number of people for whom the drugs they were
mistakenly dispensed had not ill effect, but no benefit either.
> "Contraindicated" has specific meaning, so be aware that many drugs interact but are not
> contraindicated or necessarily dangerous together.
My definition is "DO NOT TAKE "A" IF TAKING "B".
> The important thing is that someone recognizes the interaction, and take appropriate steps to
> monitor for safety.
>
> Back to your daughter. The fact that her parents have sinutitis has little bearing on her case.
> Sinusitis, which is simply an inflammation of the sinus passages (usually viral or allergic,
> sometimes bacterial), is not inherited.
I didn't think so, and so didn't mention it in the original post.
However, atopy (which includes asthma, eczema, and -
> sometimes - allergic rhinitis, is definitely inheritable). Not knowing details about you or your
> wife, I can't offer any further comments. I would still be suspcious of bronchospasm given your
> earlier description of her symtoms, and not very highly suspicuos of a sinus process given her
> distinct lack of sinus symptoms. However, it's best that her own doctor sort this out.
As she will on Monday. I was just trying to solicit some insights here, which, on the whole, I've
found to be helpful.
> Good luck.
Thank you. I'm sure you want to know how it turns out. Of couse, if it does turn out to be
sinusitis, I'll be torn between letting you know and trying not to look like a wise-ass. (-;
