The Seven Basic Causes of Disease
Dec 01, 2009 by Bill Rawls, M.D.
Many individuals, including some health care providers, have the misconception that the origins of most disease are difficult to define. They think that disease just "happens," and the best way to deal with it is by treating the symptoms. This is far from being the case, as all things that occur in the natural world have causes, including disease.
When I was first exploring this concept, I came upon the last chapter of my 30-year-old biochemistry text (the part we never got to) which delineated the known causes of disease. With further reading and research, I have refined this list to include seven well-defined causes that are the roots of all disease:
1. Oxidative Stress: exposure to free radicals generated by metabolic processes and immune system function is the most important factor in aging.
2. Exposure to Toxins: sources suggest that upwards of 200,000 man-made chemicals have made thier way into the environment over the past 100 years.
3. Malnutrition: our food supply, characterized by excessive glucose and abnormal fat, is also profoundly deficient in nutrients and fiber.
4. Emotional Stress: emotional stress plays a role in most disease processes.
5. Physical Stress: basic wear and tear, cold and heat.
6. Microbes: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa have been factors of disease since life began.
7. Radiation: both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation have adverse effects on tissues of the human body.
GENETICS: the deciding factor. Because we all have genes that are unique, exposure to the same sets of risk factors results in different diseases for different individuals.
What a radical concept! It implies that not only do all diseases have common causes, but they also have common roots in prevention and treatment. This profound bit of insight certainly begs the question: why does modern medicine seem to be ignoring this important information? The answer lies in human nature itself. Treating disease by removing the causes requires effort, whereas taking a pill is a much easier way to control symptoms. Also, the causes of disease are very much a part of life itself and eliminating them would be impossible. Lessening their impact, however, is an option (one to which more of us should be paying attention!). Understanding these causative factors offers a unique opportunity to alter our destiny. We can, in essence, cut disease off at the pass just by making intelligent choices in the way we conduct our lives.
Even when an absolute diagnosis seems elusive, identifying causative factors can open an avenue toward healing. Knowing everything is there to know about the causes of disease is not necessary, but a basic understanding of these factors does answer many questions that patients have about illness. Gaining this type of knowledge offers the patient control and alleviates fear. This, in itself, is a positive healing force.
Understanding basic information about the causes of disease is an absolute necessity for understanding health. Just as it would be unwise to enter a battle without obtaining intelligence information about the enemy, it would be unwise to try to improve your health without knowing about the forces working in opposition to that goal.
In my new book, Health First!, I have explained each of the above 7 causes in great detail and offer suggestions and natural remedies for preventing and overcoming disease. Over the next couple of weeks, I will share a clip about each of the 7 causes of disease with followers of my First Do No Harm blog. Stay tuned and take control of your own health today! For more guidance on disease prevention and advice for achieving optimal health, please consider reading my book, Health First!.
Categories: Disease Prevention,
Tags(s): Cancer, Oxidative Stress, Toxins, Microbes,
Previous Comments
Barbara Simmons- Dec 01, 2009
Dr. Rawls, I thoroughly enjoyed your lecture on the "7 Causes of Disease" at the hospital this fall! Let me know when you schedule another lecture and I will help to spread the word. Keep up the great information, your approach is so insightful and refreshing!!
JP- Dec 03, 2009
Bill, I'm looking forward to learning more about your 7 lessons! I know I'll learn a lot along the way! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all! Be well! JP
Dr. Bill Rawls- Dec 04, 2009
Thanks so much for your support and kind words, Barbara! I will definitely keep you informed of upcoming lectures. Best wishes, Dr. Rawls
Dr. Bill Rawls- Dec 04, 2009
JP, I'm glad that you are excited about the "7 Causes" series. I look very forward to hearing your feedback! Thanks again for your support and all that you do!
