A growing number of people have become interested in
alternative medicine to treat illnesses. Alternative medicine
as a practice has created a significant amount of controversy
both inside and outside the traditional medical field.
Alternative medicine refers to a treatment or substance that is
unproven under the application or accepted scientific standards.
The most common types of alternative medicine include herbs,
supplements, therapies and activities that are outside
traditional medical practice. Some of these raise questions
about their safety and effectiveness.
Acupuncture, massage, meditation, herbal tea, and plant
extracts are popular among devotees of alternative medicine,
but many traditional doctors believe these treatments are
ineffective or even dangerous. Alternative medicine has become
increasingly popular as more people face the aches, pains, and
illnesses that accompany aging. In some cases, individuals have
not obtained a cure with traditional medical approaches and turn
to other options to treat their illness. In still other cases,
people feel very strongly that natural methods of treatment are
better than traditional medicine, so they look for answers from
alternative practitioners instead of the family doctor.
There are risks associated with alternative medicine. Some of
the risks arise through the use of untested, ineffective, and
even unsafe substances. The manufacturers of these substances
sometimes exaggerate the claims of their effectiveness. They
may misrepresent the science related to the material to
convince consumers to buy the product, even if its use can
endanger a person?s health.
Some herbal remedies are advertised as being able to improve
memory, raise metabolism, or cure cancer and heart disease. In
reality, the remedies may cause harm if taken at high doses.
Another risk is that someone with a serious disease like cancer
will not receive traditional and proven treatments, preferring
to use alternative methods that may not be effective. In these
cases, people are risking their lives. Sometimes, patients may
be using alternative treatments, but not telling their doctors
about them. This can lead to dangerous drug interactions. If a
traditional doctor is unaware of the substance a patient is
taking, medications that produce harmful interactions may be
unknowingly prescribed.
It is possible to recognize potentially risky alternative
treatment. If a treatment sounds too good to be true, it
probably is. While this is a clich�, it is often very true in
situations involving alternative medicines. Be careful of
products labeled ?miraculous? or ?ancient remedy.? If you are
thinking about treatments such as acupuncture or reflexology,
check the qualifications of the practitioner before being
treated. Ask about the training received, and research the
treatment to determine if it has been scientifically tested and
found to be effective.
It?s a good idea to ask your doctor about an alternative
treatment you are considering. Trained medical professionals
have the experience and education to help you make safe
decisions about your health.
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