Treatment is something that health care professionals do to help patients control or lessen the symptoms of their illness. Sometimes, treatments can even cure the illness.
Medications are an important part of medical treatment, but they can also cause side effects. The side effects of a medication can be very different in different people. That’s because your genes can affect how well certain medications work for you. Fortunately, new medicines and dosages are often being tested before they are available to everyone.
Doctors use information about the benefits, risks and possible side effects of all available treatments to help you make a decision about which treatment is best for you. Doctors also take into account your general life preferences, lifestyle and values when making decisions. If you do not have capacity to decide about your own medical treatment, anyone who makes decisions for you must consider your wishes as expressed in your Health Care Instructions or, if you do not have instructions, your general wishes about the treatment of your illness and injury. They must follow your decisions unless they can demonstrate that the requested treatment is bad medical practice or ineffective in helping you.
Non-surgical procedures are used to diagnose, measure or treat diseases or injuries that do not require surgery and are generally not very invasive. All procedures have risks and side effects. Ask your doctors for more information about any procedure that they recommend. It is particularly important to understand the costs of a medical treatment before you agree to it. Hospitals vary widely in their charges for the same services, and the amount you pay depends on who is paying the bill – you, your insurance company or a government program such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Some health problems are cured by treatment, such as athlete’s foot, which can be treated with creams, powders or sprays that kill the fungus that causes it. However, some health problems do not have a cure, such as blindness, deafness, leprosy or mental retardation.
Other health problems can be managed with a variety of treatments, including drugs, exercise and other measures to keep you healthy. Some treatments are very expensive and may not be covered by your insurance. It is a good idea to research typical charges for a particular procedure or service before you get it. Also, find out whether the hospital where you will be treated is a recognized center of excellence for treating your disease or condition. That can lead to better outcomes and lower costs.