How to live happily with illness

Question: There is a sick patient in my house. What may I suggest so that he can live happily with illness?

Answer: By V.Vachiramedhi Bhikkhu (in Buddhism)
In this world, there are four kinds of patients: First, the patient who is ill but for whom there is no cure. As time goes by, his condition becomes worse; second, the patient who is physically sick but lets his mind become sick as well. Because such a patient becomes very depressed, his condition deteriorates very quickly; third, the patient who is physically and mentally sick, and doesn't want to live anymore. Such a patient might commit suicide; and four, the patient who is physically sick but does not let his mind become sick because of his belief that doctors can heal the physical sickness, whereas Dhamma (= the teachings of Buddha in Buddhism) can heal the mental sickness.

Of these four kinds of patient, the fourth one is the happiest patient, this patient knows that sickness presents a golden opportunity for introspection, to reflect on his body and soul. So misfortune can become fortune; an illness can become a teacher.

Side effect of warfarin

Question: My husband suffered an enlarged heart .  Doctors prescribed “warfarin” half tablet per day. But now he has fatigue, some days hands and feet swelling, headaches and bloating for about 2 weeks, these symptoms are  side effects of the drug or not, and what is the cure?

Answer:  The enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) is a condition that is associated with other diseases such as: Hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and especially heart attack.

The enlarged heart made blood pump around the body inefficient, and may affect in the patient's symptoms in relation to the retention of blood or fluid around the organ. Such as: Dyspnea, swollen legs, abdomen enlarged, weight gain, fatigue, and may be symptoms of palpitations. “Warfarin” was reported to cause adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract as well, include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, but no reports of adverse reactions associated with hand, foot swelling. The major side effects of “warfarin” are mainly associated with bleeding.

In this case, there is a possibility that such symptoms may be related to disease rather than drugs. But to consider that as a result of drug or not, need to rely on multiple information combined with examine symptoms. So in this case it is recommended to take the patient to the doctor as soon as possible to find the exact cause of the disease. It is not advisable to stop or adjust the dose “warfarin”  by yourself (it is strictly prohibited).