A Word to the Wise: A pill for every inconvenience

It seems as if every other commercial on television is for some new medication invented to deal with one of the many ailments that come with being human.Recently I noted two different medications with names that elude me. That's one of the problems with this new development — our consciousnesses become glutted with many new names until they all bleed together.These two medications supposedly treat problems that could possibly be basic human weaknesses — restless leg syndrome and dry eye. Although they are classified as medical conditions, please forgive my lack of empathy. It just seems as if some things are more inconveniences than disease.That's my issue — our culture increasingly sees the answer to its many ills in a prescription medication. It is more than just these two problems, and yes some of them seem to me to be more serious — such as high cholesterol, heart disease and gout.By the way, many of these conditions can also be treated in ways that do not involve medication, such as diet and exercise. I am not a doctor, and I do not play one on TV, but some truths are solid no matter who asserts them. A proper diet and exercise go a long way to help alleviate many medical conditions.Another thing about these commercials that bothers me is the many disclaimers that the announcer reads off, including death. Is it because our society is so litigious, or is it because these medications haven't had the benefit of being time-tested and therefore are a health risk in themselves? Either option is a scary one.This entire phenomenon could partially be attributed to the Baby Boom blip in our population. Starting this year, every day 10,000 people will retire or reach retirement age. Coupled with increasing life expectancy, there's going to be a lot of old fogies shuffling around for a long time, present company included.Pharmaceutical companies are surely casting their profit-centered eyes on this huge market that will only get bigger. Hey, business is business, so no problem there. Here's the problem: Got an ailment? Invent a pill and market it and everyone will be happy.We thankfully have access to many things that can help us get well and stay well. They include modern medications (think of all the good that penicillin and the polio vaccine accomplished). But let's not make a reach for the pill bottle our first, only and/or default reaction.Tom Rupp is a Bible teacher at Capital Bible College. He can be reached at truppfolsom@yahoo.com.