Classifications of medical treatment

Theoretically, there are three classifications of medical treatment:

• Curative – to cure a patient of an illness

• Palliative – to relieve symptoms from an illness

• Preventative – to avoid the onset of an illness

The doctor can also recommend an etymology treatment, like antibiotics to treat strep throat, for example. To relieve pain in this case, the treatment can be accompanied by a symptomatic treatment like an antalgic.

Treatments prescribed by doctors can be classified using one or several of the following methods: Medical, surgical, or medico techniques. A medical treatment generally prescribes diet and lifestyle measures, like changing certain habits, as well as medication intake, whether injectable or not. Physical therapy, speech therapy, psychiatry, and physiotherapy are equally part of medical treatments. For certain illnesses, it is necessary to resort to surgical treatment. Certain examinations are situated between traditional treatments and surgery, such as, radiology, endoscopy, and phototherapy.

To heal, relieve, or prevent an illness, health professionals can resort to other specific methods. In any case, observation is an integral part of treatment, like regularly examining blood pressure, or asking for an X-ray. In non-conventional medicine, certain therapies and techniques, like acupuncture, balneotherapy, taking supplements, detoxification, or homeopathy, can also be prescribed.

Fiche Classifications of medical treatment

• Author : Florian Reinaud, MD
• Date : May 05, 2018