Why Alternative Medicine Can Do Wonders for Seniors
Alternative medicine has been credited by many as doing amazing things, but it should not be considered a cure-all by seniors. What is this particular form of medical treatment, and why is it called alternative?
It goes under the descriptive name alternative medicine because it is not officially embraced as true medical treatment by the medical profession. This opinion also includes about half of professional physicians.
This having been said, this more natural form of medical treatment may fall outside professional acceptance, but that in no means proves its failure as an effective method of treating pain and illness.
If you are considering embarking on the use of any form of alternative medicine, follow several courses of action first.
1. Do not accept the recommendation of a friend, or an item in the newspaper, or a remark on television as being the final word on the subject. Search the computer or library and make the final decision on any medical treatment one that you reached personally from your own private research. Don’t accept hearsay as fact…it never really is!
2. If you are on a medicine regimen regulated for you by your personal physician, don’t vary it, or cease it, without the advice of your doctor.
3. Look upon any form of alternative medicine that you personally decide to utilize, as complementary to the medicine and program set up for you by your physician. Use it in addition to, and not in place of what you’re presently taking on medical advice.
4. Finally, run your decision by your personal doctor! Some herbs, minerals or vitamins can adversely affect other medications, and physicians can head off any bad reactions.
The National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, has nominally designated five types of complementary alternative medicines that encompass the entire category.
” Manipulation.
” Energy Techniques
” Healing Techniques
” Diet Supplements
” Mind/Body Interactions.
There are many claims made by many people as to the amazing cures wrought by alternative medicine. Some individuals loudly proclaim that they discarded all of their physician designed medicines and replaced them with herbs and vitamin supplements.
Never, ever stop following your personal physician’s advice regarding medication. Take the time to educate yourself about more natural treatments than those developed by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
But always consult with your doctor before taking any such action. It’s an interesting fact of life that many of modern day medicines were first manufactured in nature’s own laboratory, living plants.
Most people have heard about the botanist that brought back to America a specimen taken from a rare tree in Brazil. Analysis performed on the specimen revealed it could actually cure various forms of cancer in humans.
Rushing back to Brazil, the botanist found to his chagrin that a poor farmer had cut the tree down and torn out its roots and burned them. All done to increase the size of his small farm.
As the tale goes, never has another tree of that type ever been found again. But there are new and exciting finds being made every day by scientists and non scientists.
Take the time to search the internet and libraries about complementary alternative medicine and the many changes and additions being made to the field. Don’t depend on word of mouth and health claims being ballyhooed by others.
Your computer can do more than display news items and play games. It can take you to the distant parts of the earth and show you new medical discoveries. Take charge of your own health in concert with your physician.
Who knows? You may discover that there is really a fountain of youth out there.
Raymond Angus
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/why-alternative-medicine-can-do-wonders-for-seniors-690244.html
5 Responses to “Why Alternative Medicine Can Do Wonders for Seniors”
I think I'm depressed and I need HELP! :/?
Okay, so here’s the deal:
In September, I learned that I was 2 months pregnant. By October, my baby was fully miscarried. Throughout the previous 3-4 years, I have been in and out of moods. Sometimes I was happy, sometimes very upset. However, after the miscarriage, I have been down on school, relationships, and life in general. I am a Biology/pre-med major who would call my mother to ask permission to skip class out of sheer guilt. But lately, the guilt feelings have diminished–which I know is a VERY bad sign in college–and I have been skipping multiple classes a week. Not only that, but I don’t complete homework assignments and have been failing quite a few of my classes. When I need to study or do research online, I find myself staring at the computer screen and wondering off to other websites for hours.I’m allwaaays drowsy. To make matters worse, I am sometimes unable to sleep–and when I am finally sleepy, I decide to stay up and watch TV/get on the internet (and it also doesn’t help that my roommate is the bride of Chucky). My friends have become increasingly distant. They claim that I may have postpartum depression, which could possibly be true. However, instead of them visiting and checking to see how I’m doing, it seems as if they have chosen the path of letting me ride things out myself, and they are less sympathetic and understanding when my actions (ignoring calls, being unenthusiastic) reflect my emotions.
In response to my pain during the miscarriage, my doctor prescribed me Oxycodon, which is a miracle pain reliever. I took my pills as recommended, but in my bouts of depression, I would take 2 at a time. It eventually increased to 3 pills, and then I would combine those with my macroadenoma medication (Cabergoline). It got so bad to the point that my boyfriend would have to stay in my room and monitor my health to ensure that I didn’t pass out on the floor. SN: Although I ran out a month ago, I’m still craving that Oxy…. I have gained about 15-20 pounds because of my bond to Southern cuisine and fast food. I find myself eating when I’m not even hungry. Like now, I’m eating Garrett’s popcorn, and I ate an entire foot-long sub, two cookies, and a bag of chips for dinner. I guess you could say I’m a calf, training to be a full grown COW.
I have had several episodes of guilt, triggered by the smallest of situations, all ending in tears. I would breakdown in the car at the mall parking lot, my dorm room…My emotions do not discriminate in location. I am overwhelmed with the stresses of sorority life as well, which demands much of my time, most of which I do not have because of my classes. As the 2nd VP, Representative, and Financial Secretary, I have a lot of responsibility. Lately, I have been losing the respect of my sisters because of my lack of initiative and interest in activities.
Now, the semester is coming to an end. I am currently in the process of applying to med schools. I fear that my grades will be terrible, and that I will lose my academic scholarship, which determines whether or not I will stay at an out-of-state school. This is my senior year, so I can’t afford to mess up, but I guess that’s a little too late, huh?
My question is this: what do I do now? I am known to be spontaneous and charismatic, but I am completely drained! I figure I should see a doctor, but I don’t want to waste my time if they are just going to diagnose my problems as "the blues". Are there alternative methods to dealing with my issues besides counseling, such as vitamins? Lol, maybe I should have chosen psychology instead of pre-medicine as my major so I could understand myself better!
Comment made on February 19th, 2010 at 4:30 pmKind of sounds like you might be bipolar?
Comment made on February 19th, 2010 at 9:33 pmgo see a doctor to make sure. =]
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You sound like you are experiencing some depression, but don’t take that to mean there is something "wrong" with you. You went through something super traumatic, and you’re having a deep response to it which is normal.
You’re doc gave you oxy though, and it also sounds like you might’ve developed an addiction to it. That, plus that weight gain, plus the pressure of school. I feel for you.
DEFINITELY talk to a doctor. You don’t have to live with depression, or addiction (these things can fuel each other). A counselor/therapist can talk to you about what you’re going through. Hopefully they won’t just carelessly throw more pills at you….make sure to disclose your use of oxy as it will make them more cautious. No one would dismiss what you’re going through.
It sounds serious. Take your life back NOW and get some help.
Comment made on February 19th, 2010 at 9:35 pmReferences :
No doctor is going to tell you you have the blues. You sound like you have fairly definite symptoms of depression. You may also have anxiety disorder. You probably need to start off with an antidepressant. Go see a doctor please. Also, make sure to tell him you aren’t sleeping well as that could mean anxiety as well. Tell him everything you’ve mentioned here.
Comment made on February 19th, 2010 at 9:37 pmAlso, start thinking about whether this is the degree that you really want to do. It could be you just aren’t happy with what you are doing.
I wouldn’t discount seeing a counselor as well. If I were in your shoes, I would do both (see a doctor and a counselor).
Good Luck
-D
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Please see a doctor. Right now! CALL 1-800-273-TALK and don’t hang up until you’ve read your article to them. Then please stay on the line. If you feel like you cannot talk to your doctor, get a new one or bring in a copy of your post and just read it to him. Your MD’s job is not to judge you and although it is a hard line to cross because it is so personal, your MD will not judge you. If you must, imagine that you are talking to a wall that will not comment back but please seek help and call the hotline tonight. Print this page – everything you’ve written here – and call the hotline. Read it to them.
You have some very deep feelings about what has happened to you recently and although you may be steering away from this, you sound like you’re exploring your options and so before you go about deciding on methods, you need a medical and psychological consult. I’m NOT saying you’re crazy – not by any means, I’m just saying that you lack a support system at this time and it sounds like you really need someone to talk to.
Postpartum depression is a serious hormonal imbalance that can send you spiraling down quickly but because you’ve not carried and delivered, the hormonal effects would be different. Unresolved grieving on the other hand seems to fit the picture better but you very well may have a chemical imbalance on top of that.
Someone mentioned bipolarity – it’s possible – but even if you’ve never had any episodes of mania circling back to depression before, I would recommend a psych consult anyway, to give you peace of mind if nothing else.
Your state of being is affecting your activities of daily living. You are under a lot of stress and your emotional status is not helping you. Please seek help immediately.
Comment made on February 19th, 2010 at 9:39 pmReferences :
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