Paradoxical medicine

WHAT WE ARE DOING?

We are developing practical applications of the principle that worsening a disease temporarily in a controlled fashion can treat the condition. Rather than treat illness with drugs that mask the underlying condition, we are examining ways in which we can effectively train our bodies to cope on their own through a controlled schedule of symptomatic aggravation.  One accepted example of this phenomenon is the practice of vaccination; instead of taking antibiotics or antivirals, the body is challenged with a small amount of an undesired agent to stimulate the immune system to develop a protective response.  Another example involves the treatment of hypertension through exercise--working out leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure, but leads to an overall lowering of blood pressure over time.  We are planning studies to evaluate whether various agents can simulate the effects of exercise on various physiologic parameters.