I was happy to read that a nurse had the fortitude to question one of the many medicalized conditions that are distracting the health care industry from addressing more important issues. Our health care system has evolved in a spalike atmosphere-trivial symptoms (like hot flashes) are treated as if they are major illnesses, yet life-threatening habits (smoking, overeating, and drinking) are swept under the rug to absolve patients from responsibility for their health.

Mary Jane McGoey, MSN, RN