Alternative Health
There are many reasons why people are starting to turn to natural health remedies instead of the conventional prescription drugs. If you went out onto the street and ask lots of people what they think of natural and alternative therapies then you’d get varying answers. Some will talk about what they’ve read in a magazine or watched on TV whilst others might have personal stories to tell.
Although I have been lucky enough not to have dealt with any real health ailments in my life, I have taken a keen interest in health supplements, food, exercise and all of these types of topics. The reason is because of what I’ve had to witness from my own parents.
My mum was officially diagnosed with Multiple Scleroses (MS) 13 years a go. There were many different tests done at the time including a lumber puncture and brain scans. When the doctor told her that it was MS he effectively said for her to go home and forget about it. If you have ever watched anything on tv about ms or read about it, you will know that it is a degenerative condition which leaves people in wheelchairs, or even in much worse conditions. Simply going home and acting like everything is normal is not at all possible. Because of the lack of help from conventional medicine, my mum and dad both read considerable amounts of information about this condition via books. They read about nutrition, exercise and natural health supplements. They also had consultations with natural health practitioners (including Jan de Vries) who said that it wasn’t as bad as MS and it was actually ME. They are both 2 of th e many different types of autoimmune condition.
I won’t go into a great amount of detail about what natural health therapies that were used but there were many vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids (evening primrose oil and fish oil). Although she still gets tired and has to take a nap every day, she has never needed to use a wheelchair or anything like that.
My dad’s health problems were back pain and digestion problems. First of all he hurt his back whilst taking heavy carrier bags from the shopping trolley and placing them in the boot of the car. Carrying the heavy weight whilst twisting round caused him major pain. His doctor told him to go home and rest but my dad wasn’t happy with this medical advice. So he got lots of books on back pain and they said that he should exercise. This advice is now common practice but at the time my dad’s doc wasn’t happy about him going against his professional opinion.
The other health problem related to digestion. My dad had put anti freeze into the car but realized he put in too much. SO he got a straw and sucked some out and then spit it out before he swalled any. Unfortunately some of this got into his system and it made him very ill very quickly afterwards. It’s thought that it damaged in the inside of his stomach causing food and nutrients not to be absorbed as well as they should. Luckily after a lot of different health advice and supplements he is now able to eat properly again. When he had this condition he couldn’t eat a single thing with yeast or wheat in it. Now is body had recovered.
It’s funny that when a doctor can’t see with his own eyes what is wrong with a patient they think that the patient is a hypochondriac. The doc had asked about his symptoms, when the occurred and if there was any pattern. My dad wasn’t sure so he decided to take a diary of everything he had eaten along with how he felt. The doctor said that he was thinking way too much about his condition and that he should stop. Instead of looking for proper treatments, he wanted to give my dad antidepressants.
Although you should always take the advice of a trained medical practioner, you can also ask if you can receive alternative treatments. Here in the UK, my gran gets accupuncture for nothing on the NHS because of her joint pain. Luckily there are more and more natural therapies being used and they aren’t seen as being mumbo jumbo. Unfortunately I think we still have a long way to go before your doctor will look at alternative therapies before prescribing any drugs.
Unfortunately not everyone in the health care industry can be trusted and it doesn’t matter whether they are self-employed or work for the NHS. I don’t know if they do this on purpose or whether they just aren’t very good at their jobs but my mum has been having a lot of trouble with her neck recently and has gone to various people. There was an osteopath who really didn’t help at all and charged her a small fortune for the privelage. When my mum described the treatment she received to a physio she was told that it was of no help what-so-ever. Luckily things are getting better due to the physiotherpay.
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May 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I had an uncle who suffered from MS for close to twenty two years. He went from being a Navy Commander to a vegetable over the course of that time. It was a disturbing thing to watch. I somehow doubt though that eating right, taking flax seed and doing yoga would have helped him much though. natural medicine is a good preemption to flu or cold but serious ailments kinda require something a little more tried and true.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Sorry to hear about your dad and the antifreeze. I did the same thing with diesel once.
I know someone who had been having trouble with his elbow for several months and had gone to the doctor on several occasions. Someone suggested he try acupuncture and it really worked for him.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I don’t know, as I know a woman who had cancer and natural regimens helped improve and prolong her life. However, I think that it is WHAT you do, your personal makeup, and the severity of your ailment that play a huge factor as well.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I support the attitude of your parents toward their illness. Natural foods are good to adjust the functions of human body and heal chronic diseases.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
It’s hard to believe that RLS actually exists and affects so many people as it does. Yes, I agree that eating natural foods is probably the top way to keep your system clean.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I’m all for working with more natural products to increase health. I think modern medicine is great, but it doesn’t hurt to top up with good food, exercise and a positive outlook
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 am
We always use traditional/natural health remedies- it’s the only way to go. Thanks for the informative article and sorry about your father.
July 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
These are the reasons why it happen;
* Effectiveness of the alternative medicine which drugs are originally from.
* Cost - it is much cheaper compare to drugs.
* Side effect - some are believing that alternative medicine are much lessen side effect which may risk their life.
Those are the minor reasons may other thinks on between drugs and alternative medicine.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I am all for alternative medicine, I have high blood pressure and have found that buy drinking hybiscus Tea it greatly lowers it ! I was able to get off all my blood pressure medication after I started this tea. I hope the best for your and your family.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:40 am
A couple of things, I’m wondering if you’re planning on doing any more posts?
Secondly, there is a huge increase in the amount of people demanding alternative medicine - I think people are fed up with their conditions not being improved by medicines. I remember reading somewhere that the average number of prescriptions that 65 year old people in America take is 12. Now that was a few years ago now, but I can’t imagine it’s improved any.
To me there is no way I want to rattle at 65, I’ll be taking care of my health as much as possible and using alternative medicine before any drugs.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:58 am
I think alternative health care can be beneficial for everyone if we understand there principle and nature. Most of us switch to alternative health remedies with a different mindset, a mindset similar to modern health cure.
I think alternative health care is improving our modern life style to a health conscious lifestyle.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Alternative medicine is often much better than prescription drugs. Every drug comes with side effects, and most poeple would love to avaid these. Natural treatments can work just as well without the side effects so more people should be informed of how well they work!
All the best, Craig
August 8th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 3 years ago and started on the normal prescriptions that doctors usually prescribe. When I found that I wasn’t getting better, I looked into something else- natural medicine. I have been off plaquenil and mtx for 6 months and feel the best I’ve felt in years because I’m taking a natural approach.
I use turmeric, cloves and omega3 fatty acids to reduce inflammtion, and it does the trick wonderfully.
It’s encouraging to see more and more people becoming aware and accepting it.
Best Regards,
Audrey
August 21st, 2008 at 1:01 am
Studies have shown that people who drink at least a pint of green tea daily have a lower risk of death from stroke and heart disease.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I know that when i work out and am out in the sun i feel alot better than when im a lazy bum
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Looking after yourself and keeping healthy is essential and a natural approach to life makes this a given. Care should be taken though when choosing a physician. An example is that I may go to see a herbalist to discuss an itchy rash or perhaps even fertility however if I had say appendicitis I would prefer to see someone who has studied medicine in depth. We sell pet products and it is amazing how many human therapists treat pets. I think it is essential, for pets, to get a vet involved as animal physiology can be quite different.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
i sit at a computer all day i need some help getting more healthier
October 1st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
My parents are much healthier since we began to make vegetable juice and take supplements. However, as they are pensioners, the products are now becoming too expensive. This really is a factor that plays a huge role.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Remember why they call it “practicing medicine”. Good luck on your natural health journey, it has helped me 3 times where traditional medicine did not.
October 17th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Our healths depends upon the food… Nowadays we are seeking more problems in the food… now 80% of foods have food poisons… so take more vegetables it’ll make healthy people…
Thank You
October 18th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I support the attitude of your parents toward their illness. I know someone who had been having trouble with his elbow for several months and had gone to the doctor on several occasions.
October 29th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I know my body more than anybody does. If someone told me that I have a cold when I didn’t have any nasal congestion, I wouldn’t believe him. But I will drink a glass of fresh juice just to make sure that I am really fine. Thanks for this blog. Natural remedies is better as prevention.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I have friends in the medical field and most of them support alternative or herbal medicine. But I like munching on crunchy veggie and fruits more so I just settled on sipping some herbal teas.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Thanks for all your info, April– live life with as much positivity and hope as you can muster, and fuel your body with nutrition that comes from whole foods (beware of supplements that are made from petrochemicals… they don’t work any better than what your MD hands out). Prevention is still the best medicine!
November 25th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Natural is always better. Naural health as you said is virtually non existent in health care today, so keep bringing this importnat isue to light. I eat as much natural foods as possible and it’s made a huge difference in my energy levels (I’ve never had any major health problems) so I know the differenece it can make.