That is so true for a lot of things they treat. Asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure... just treating the symptom. There is no money in treating the cause and finding a cure. Lots of times your body is reacting to something else and the treated thing is the reaction.

About cholesterol - if you exercise vigorously before getting tested your numbers will look bad. Your body releases cholesterol to deal with the inflammation associated with the strenuous exercise. My doctor did not know that. Now he does. In my town where every other person is doing the freaking Ironman they need to know!