New Entropy Definition of Suffering.
Bechor Zvi, MD, Ph.D Aminoff
Geriatric Division, Sheba Medical Center Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel. E-mail: bechorz@yahoo.com
Objectives: A new definition of human suffering is presented by means of the entropy hypothesis, which will help us to understand disease and the aging process.
Method: Evaluation of human suffering as a measure of entropy level. Results: Results of our study demonstrated that the high suffering level of patients, which was evaluated by (MSSE) scale, has a significant correlation with high mortality, advancing age, more sickness, malnutrition, the existence of decubitus ulcers and the use of drugs. It was also found that the suffering level of end stage dementia patients increased during the dying process until the last day of life. Found correlations could be explained by enhanced level of body entropy.
Entropy can be defined as a measure of chaos, a measure of the lack of order. Every loss, breakdown, deteriorating organization and lack of order implies an increase in the entropy level, and is therefore a source of suffering. The aging process therefore presents an increasing level of entropy, a process of the loss of reserves of the system until survival is no longer possible, and the human being passes away. Diseases are also naturally a mishap in the structure and organization of the body. All these are processes of a rise in the entropy level and are a source of suffering. Our hypothesis is that suffering and satisfaction are a function of the level of human entropy (Aminoff B.Z., 2001).
Conclusions: Human suffering can be defined as a complex of negative sensations, perceptions, emotions or thoughts of a person, which arise due to an increasing level of entropy of the organism and are affected by relationships with others, surroundings in the past, present or future threats. In order to treat suffering, one has to take care that the level of entropy is lowered, by complementing that which is missing, disturbs and that which has been lost.