The family elder follows a ritual of praying to the spirits of the patient's different body parts. The elder promises to reward the spirits with rice wine and chicken, which are given to the patient when healed to feed the returning spirits. Some Laotians believe that an illness can result from doing something offensive to the deceased ancestors. Birth defects or chronic illnesses in babies are believed to be caused by sins the baby or parents committed in their last life. A birthmark is seen as a mark from the baby's parents in his or her last life.
Traditional medicine consists of herbal, root and animal remedies and consulting a medicine man.
A sick person is put on a strict diet of grilled dry meat, some vegetables and fruits, and certain kinds of rice. In Laos infant mortality rates are very high. Life expectancy is about 50 years for men, slightly higher for women. Many people, especially those who live far from clinics, still go to the traditional medicine man for healing. Most clinics and hospitals do not meet Western standards.