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Dr Bappa Dittya Saha
We're gonna extinct ... • 25d
“Think in Systems, Not Symptoms” 1. The Problem With Symptom-Based Thinking Traditional medicine often works like this: Symptom → Diagnosis → Drug If tired: Rule out anaemia, hypothyroid, depression. If bloated: Rule out IBS, lactose intolerance, GERD. Issue: It treats each symptom as isolated, not as part of a larger pattern or network. 2. What “Systems Thinking” Means Systems thinking looks at the body as an interconnected web, not just a sum of parts. It asks: What is the network behind these symptoms? How do organs, hormones, nerves, immunity, and behaviours interact? Is this one root issue showing up in many ways? 3. Medical Examples Case A: Patient reports: fatigue + sugar cravings + poor sleep Symptom-based approach: Fatigue? Order CBC, TSH. Sleep? Prescribe melatonin. Cravings? Diet advice. Systems approach: Possible early metabolic inflexibility Link between HPA axis dysfunction, insulin resistance, cortisol, and sleep architecture Intervention: Stabilize glucose, restore circadian rhythm, modulate stress response. Case B: Young woman: irregular periods + acne + anxiety + GI issues Symptom-based: Refer to gynae, psych, dermatologist, gastro. Systems approach: Common thread = PCOS with underlying inflammation + microbiome dysfunction Affects: skin, mood, gut, cycles. Treat from the root — reduce inflammation, balance hormones via gut and insulin axis. 4. Where AI Enhances Systems Thinking AI can: Spot non-obvious patterns across systems. Cluster patients by shared underlying drivers, not just diagnosis. Track multidimensional data: sleep, CGM, HRV, mood, symptoms. It helps doctors ask: What’s the system out of balance here — not just what’s the name of the disease? 5. Why This Matters for the Future of Medicine Chronic diseases (diabetes, PCOS, depression, fatigue syndromes) are systemic, not linear. We’re moving from disease treatment → health restoration. Precision care = seeing the unique system imbalance in each patient. Key Takeaway: Don't chase symptoms. Trace the system. Diagnose dysfunction, not just disease.
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