The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle in Reducing Unnecessary Medications

Today, I am filled with immense excitement—not because I’ve won a lottery or had a breakthrough in my career—but because I’ve seen tangible progress in the revolution I’ve long envisioned for Pakistan’s healthcare system. Over the past few days, we analyzed data from our patients, and the results have reaffirmed my belief in the power of a healthy lifestyle. The impact has been profound, both financially and in terms of overall well-being.

In our recent analysis, we observed how we’ve been able to reduce the reliance on unnecessary medications for many of our patients. This not only alleviates the financial burden on them but also adds significant value to their lives. Imagine going from taking 12, 14, or even 15 pills a day to engaging in more meaningful and purposeful activities. The money saved on medications can be redirected toward improving one’s lifestyle and bringing more joy into daily life.

Reducing Medication Through Lifestyle Changes

In today's video, I will explain in detail the unnecessary medications that we've identified and how we manage to reduce or eliminate them in our patients, particularly those with kidney conditions. Furthermore, I’ll discuss how patients who have started consulting with us to improve their lifestyle are now on minimal medication.

As-salamu alaykum, I am Dr. Azka from the Expert Consult Clinic of Lahore. As the head of nephrology, I've been working closely with our team and students on various rotations. Recently, two of our students from the July rotation assisted me in collecting and analyzing this data, which I will share today. These students played a crucial role, and I will credit them accordingly.

The Financial Impact of Medication Reduction

Over the past month, we studied around 60 patients, representing our average patient demographic. Through detailed calculations, we found that we were able to reduce medication costs for some patients by 2,000 to 3,000 rupees per month, and for others, even more—up to 6,000 or 10,000 rupees monthly. When you project this over a year, it translates to savings of around 100,000 to 200,000 rupees per patient. This significant financial relief allows patients to save a substantial amount annually—money they can now invest in other areas of their lives.

However, it's important to remember that the benefits extend beyond financial gains. Consider the value added to their lives: by adopting a healthy lifestyle, patients not only reduce their medication intake but also reverse or halt the clock on their diseases. Where previously, they might have been on a path described as a 'progressive disease,' they are now taking control and managing their health proactively.

The Broader Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle

Reducing medication doesn’t just mean fewer pills; it means embracing a healthy lifestyle. When patients adopt healthier habits, the inflammation, insulin resistance, and other underlying issues driving their diseases diminish significantly. Without the crutch of medications, they are no longer just managing symptoms but actively improving their health.

Major Medications Reduced:
Let’s dive into the specific medications we've targeted. The first and most significant group where patients save the most money is diabetes medication. As many of you know, insulin is incredibly expensive. Reducing or eliminating diabetes medications is now a must, with no excuses—unless, of course, the patient chooses not to follow through.

Even for those who are skeptical, there is no room for doubt. If you adopt a healthy lifestyle, your diabetes medications will inevitably be reduced or stopped altogether. This isn’t just a possibility—it’s a certainty. You can monitor your hemoglobin A1c levels and watch as they reverse from diabetic ranges to normal. No doctor or individual can argue that you’re making a wrong decision when your diabetes is under control naturally.

High Success Rates with Diabetes and Hypertension Medications

Our success rate with diabetes patients is exceptionally high. Nearly 95% of our diabetic patients are able to stop their medications and save money in the process. Next, let’s discuss hypertension (high blood pressure) medications. Many patients come to us taking four or five different blood pressure medications, yet their readings still hover around 140, 145, or even 150. This is often accompanied by kidney issues, largely due to an unhealthy lifestyle.

When patients don’t follow a proper regimen, the result is a continued reliance on high doses of blood pressure medications to keep their levels in check. However, when they commit to lifestyle changes—such as regular exercise and a healthy diet—they see dramatic improvements. Research and patient experiences both confirm that regular exercise, even something as simple as walking, can reduce blood pressure by 10 to 20 millimeters of mercury. This means that if your blood pressure is 140, within a week or two of regular exercise, it can drop to 120, without any other changes.

When you add proper sleep and nutrition to the mix, blood pressure levels can stabilize within the range of 110 to 120. This is where I often face challenges with patients who have kidney disease and need medications to prevent protein loss. These medications also lower blood pressure, so I have to balance this by providing a higher-protein diet to ensure they maintain energy and strength.

A Holistic Approach to Health

For most of our kidney patients, almost 95% of them can significantly reduce or completely stop their blood pressure medications with a healthy lifestyle. The only exception might be those who don’t fully adhere to the lifestyle changes we recommend. For those who follow the program, there’s no need for blood pressure medication—except for angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and similar drugs, which I primarily prescribe to protect the kidneys rather than just manage blood pressure.

It’s important to note that the success of this approach doesn’t lie with me as the doctor—it lies with the patients themselves. They’re the ones managing their health, following a nutritious diet, and committing to a better lifestyle. We’ve only encountered a couple of patients with persistent high blood pressure, and these are the individuals who still indulge in small amounts of foods that aren’t part of the recommended diet, like a slice of brown bread in the morning or a small piece of bread at lunch.

I encourage these patients to consider the long-term benefits of giving up these small indulgences in favor of better health and reduced reliance on medications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by adopting a healthy lifestyle, you’re not just cutting back on medications—you’re adding years to your life, improving your quality of life, and saving money in the process. It’s about making a commitment to yourself and your future, and the results speak for themselves. Let's continue this journey towards better health, one step at a time.