Medicine and Metaphor

Here at ADVANCE, we've been thinking about analogies and metaphors for the past couple of days. These literary and logical devices help us understand the biological and chemical processes we write about and help us communicate them to our readers.

For example, last summer I interviewed a biologist who explained the way probiotics work by comparing the gut to a parking lot and probiotics to cars. Once I had an image, I could fit in new information: harmful bacteria couldn't "park" in the gut if all the "parking spots" were taken up with helpful germs.

Even though a lot of the concepts we write about are familiar to our NP readers, we use metaphor and analogy to make our writing more engaging (we hope!). But you all must use these devices, too, when you explain health concepts to your patients.

What are some of your favorite or most effective metaphors? Comment below.