How Pharmaceuticals Came To Be The 4th Leading Cause Of Death In America

[Sgent]

133. I agree to an extent

Dealing with issues early is the best way to prolong life -- eat right, exercise, get certain preventative care, etc.

That said, if someone comes down with diabetes, they almost always will be on a cholesterol medication and something to control blood sugar. Both of those pills have side effects, including potentially deadly or disfiguring ones.

The problem is that untreated they are more likely to die sooner than if they take the medications. Its not 100%, and its not the case in every individual case (hence we need doctors rather than robots), but in general a diabetic will live longer -- even if they exercise and eat correctly -- if they are on a cholesterol and glucose control medication.

Life carries a 100% mortality rate, and much of medicine in older people is focused on either extending life or quality of life, and occasionally the side effects are lethal, but still better (on average) the the options. For instance, on average an 80 year old woman who is bed ridden (or nearly so) and breaks her hip faces two choices: live longer in excruciating pain, or have surgery to repair the hip (not necessarily to a functional state). The surgery carries a significant risk of death or further disability. Its the patients choice, but either way carries risks and benefits.