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One of the main drivers of the push for healthcare reform is the soaring cost of health insurance. As affordable health insurance becomes harder to find, more people are deciding that the current system needs fixing. Some blame the higher cost of premiums on private insurers’ profit margins or increasing obesity rates in America. These factors certainly play a part; however, the primary explanation could be an expansion of the services health insurance plans cover. An increasing number of insurance companies now cover alternative medicine. Alternative treatments include herbs, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Insurers claim that they are simply responding to consumer demand, but is their coverage of such largely unproven treatments increasing healthcare costs for everyone?

Over the past several decades, alternative medicine has become mainstream. Millions of Americans rely on it to treat conditions that they feel the mainstream medical establishment hasn’t effectively dealt with. They’ve had to pay for the entire cost of their treatment out of pocket until recently. Aetna and Kaiser Permanente are among the health insurers that have begun picking up most of the tab. The usage of alternative services will probably rise, since patients only have an inexpensive co-payment. While that’s a great savings for consumers of alternative therapies, it might be driving up the cost of insurance for everyone else.

Under certain circumstances, studies have shown alternative medicine to be effective. Despite that, the majority of alternative medicine treatments haven’t yet been shown to work. On the other hand, most conventional treatment has undergone years of scientific testing. Visiting a chiropractor instead of a doctor might make economic sense if you have back pain, but not if you’re suffering from an ear infection. If a patient finds alternative medicine ineffective and then turns to conventional medicine, their health insurance plan will have to pay twice to treat the same condition. Using alternative remedies, such as herbal dietary supplements, as opposed to standard prescription drugs may even worsen a patient’s health. Take this hypothetical example: a patient with high cholesterol is prescribed Lipitor, but instead chooses to take red yeast rice supplements (which are marketed to treat the same condition). The latter supplements are most likely harmless in and of themselves. However, if the patient uses them in lieu of the proven Lipitor, he or she probably won’t be treating the underlying condition. As a result, his/her condition may worsen and even lead to a heart attack or stroke. His or her insurer will then be responsible for the subsequent care, which would be far more expensive compared to the initial treatment. That’s an example of the waste plaguing our healthcare system.

Some groups are lobbying to include alternative medicine coverage in the nation’s healthcare reform bill, because they believe excluding those practitioners amounts to discrimination. Doing so would make the bill even more costly. Democrats are calling for a public option in part to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of care; such a requirement would probably defeat the purpose. Although a third of Americans have used some form of alternative medicine, it is very doubtful Congress will mandate its coverage. Republican politicians could take advantage of the supporters of alternative health treatments, and use them as an example of the horrors of rationed health care. The only issue with that strategy is that the Republican party is against the federal government giving for-profit health insurance companies any type of mandate regarding what they cannot refuse to cover (e.g. the provision in the Democrats’ bill that would forbid insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions). Rather, they believe insurers should be allowed to sell whatever health insurance plans they choose on the free market.

Yamileth Medina is an up and coming expert on Health Insurance and Healthcare Reform. She aims to help people realize that they can get affordable health insurance plans right now while waiting for a public option, if it ever gets passed. Yamileth lives in Miami, FL.

Author: Yamileth Medina
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

Recently, there have been great improvements made in how modern medicine manages certain types of cancer. People are now able to live longer with this disease than at any other time in history. Unfortunately, the disease continues to acquire new strains, and so there is a rise in the occurrences of some types of cancer each year. There are still too many cancer patients suffering needlessly through the terminal stages. Two of the most important reasons to look at the role alternative medicine for cancer can play are the aspect of prevention of the disease, and relief from some of the most distressing symptoms of cancer, including an inability to eat.

Using Alternative Medicine for Cancer Prevention

It is a well known fact that a diet rich in fiber helps prevent cancers in the digestive tract. Holistic nutrition practices using coarse grain and unrefined flour are useful examples of alternative medicine for cancer prevention. Traditional medicine also relies on dietary supplements made from the husks of certain cereals to help keep bowel movements in good order. It is definitely in your best interest to consider the principles of alternative medicine for cancer prevention if colon cancer and other similar cancers are present in your family medical history. There are also herbal remedies available that assist in healing cancerous lesions developing in the liver. This type of medicine for cancer can be used in a proactive manner.

Alternative Medicine for Cancer in the Final Stages

Early detection is an important component in the fight against cancer, as it can keep the cancer from progressing into a terminal stage. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cancer available and so some patients must spend a considerable amount of time in the terminal stage of an illness. Nutrition and pain management are the most important considerations for helping the patient stay as comfortable as possible during the final stages of life. Alternative medicine for cancer can greatly assist with these two important components. Nutrition powders, supplements, and fluid extracts can be given to patients who are no longer able to enjoy normal meals, while topical preparations can be combined with more traditional forms of medicine to help manage pain. There are also some unsubstantiated reports of these types medicine for cancer reversal or containment, which some patients turn to when modern medicine is not able to offer any more hope. Some patients have outlasted their prognoses for their condition by using alternative medicine for cancer.

Need more information about Alternative Medicine for Cancer? Then head over to The Herbal Community. It is a fast growing social networking site strictly devoted to herbal remedies, holistic healing and anything to do that is natural and healthy. It’s completely free to use and anyone can join!

Author: Ken Eng
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times

Alternative medicine is the treatment of medical conditions using means not found in the more modern Western methods. It is seen as a treatment for illnesses outside the boundary of regular cures. It has gained popularity as people would tend to rely upon therapists in cases where doctors cannot resolve their health problems. Over the years, alternative medicine types have grown in numbers.

Numerous alternative medicine types have been classified into categories depending on their nature and use. They are biologically-based, alternative systems, mind-body practices, and body-based systems.

Biologically-based treatment relies on substances derived from nature such as herbs, vitamins, and foods. Herbalism (phytotheraphy), dietary supplements (orthomolecular), dietary therapies, and pharmacological and instrumental interventions are the practices under this category. Herbalism is the use of preparations from plants such as ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and bee pollen. Orthomolecular therapy is the intake of food supplements at high doses like calcium, iodine, and melatonin. Dietary therapy is following a diet like vegetarian and Pritikin to combat chronic ailments. Interventions are the use of special products and devices such as those in iridology and bioresonance.

Alternative medical systems are healing practices independent of Western science. Under this are oriental medicine, naturopathy, traditional indigenous, and unconventional Western medicine. Oriental therapies include acupuncture, qigong, and tai chi. Homeopathy and psionic medicine are examples of unconventional Western medicine. Traditional and Native American, African, and Aboriginal medical practices are types of indigenous medicine.

Mind-body systems affect the mind’s capability to improve bodily functions. It is a mix of psychological, spiritual, and behavioral techniques. Belonging to this is the spirituality approach, social approach, and mind and body systems. Soul-retrieval and spiritual healing are under spirituality. The social techniques are social and cultural interventions including holistic caring and involvement in community groups. Mind and body systems are based on mind-body practices that are used in combination with lifestyle therapies. Psychotherapy, hypnosis, meditation, and therapy through arts, music, and journals are examples.

Body-based methods are therapeutic manipulation of the whole body or parts of it to treat medical conditions. Body-based approaches include massage and body work, chiropractic therapy, and unconventional physical therapies. Massages include reflexology, acupressure, and Pilates. Unconventional physical therapies are colonics, hydrotherapy, and diathermia.

These alternative medicine types have been tried by scientific institutions reinforcing or refuting their medicinal claims. There has been in increase in the number of people using them. Alternative medicine is recommended combined with conventional medicine to harvest their maximum benefits.

Learn more about Alternative Medicine Types, please visiting http://www.gsyywz.com/health/alternative-medicine-is-it-really-worth-the-risk/

Author: Stanley Hardin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Make PCB Assembly

More and more people are becoming anti-drug, and I don’t just mean illegal drugs, I am talking about pharmaceutical drugs. More and more moms are refusing to put their kids on Prozac and Ritalin. Some families will not even let their kids get vaccines for the flu, or take antibiotics, as they are afraid of the medicine much worse than the diseases, and few other issues these medicines are geared to prevent.

Many people who get sick, or have a disease refuse to take pharmaceutical drugs, and turn to alternative medicine. Some do this because they do not have the money to pay for treatment, and many do not have health care insurance; still others do not trust doctors or Western medicine at all. Regardless of what their reasoning is, there is a huge following of alternative-medicine, Eastern style cures, and special diets.

There is a lot of talk about balance in the human bio-system; and why that is more important than treating the disease. Many folks figure rather than treating the disease, we need to ask why they got the disease in the first place and solve that problem first. All that makes sense, and because people feel this way it also creates an opportunity for online article authors.

You see, many people are interested in this topic of alternative-medicine and are very interested in reading such articles. If you’re going to write such articles you need to warn people of the consequences of failing to take the proper medicine that could solve their medical issues, at the same time offering information on alternative medicine, without guaranteeing anything will work.

As an online article author with some 18,300 articles, I noted that people who are searching on the Internet for specific topics like this are very interested in short articles with lots of information using bulleted lists and numbered lists.

When it comes to alternative-medicine they also wish to have examples, stories, and most of all they are interested in the truth. If you will work hard to deliver those things, you will create many happy readers.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes in Western Medicine too; diabetes supplies

Note: All of Lance Winslow’s articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It’s a natural step, after you have discovered alternative health care for yourself to start looking at alternative medicine for cats. After all, if you prefer this approach, it’s likely your cat will benefit, too.

Alternative medicine for cats as well as for people is certainly on the increase. Why should this be? Well, some of the main benefits over mainstream health care are:

• there are no side effects
• it works with nature, rather than opposing it
• it is less expensive
• you can learn to use some at home, which empowers you
• your cat will be more receptive to taking the medicine

One of the best alternative medicines for cats, as well as for everyone, in my opinion is homeopathy. Homeopathy is very gentle, but also very deep. You can learn to use many of the common remedies at home. This can not only save you a fortune in veterinarian fees, it is also tremendously enlivening.

I tell you, there is nothing more exciting than your first success. I well remember mine. I was a homeopathic student and had bought a few common remedies and a few books. One day one of my cats stopped eating. I left it a few days, but after the fourth day, I took her to the veterinarian.

She was diagnosed with kidney disease and given a few months, at most to live. I refused the offered medicine. Once home I dived into my books. After assessing all her symptoms that I could, I chose a remedy.

She was happy to take it. But imagine my state of mind when, within 10 MINUTES, she walked into the kitchen asking for food.

Euphoric is an understatement!

This was a common remedy, available to all home prescribers.

The book I used is a common homeopathic book for cats.

A few more doses and she was completely recovered. She lived another three healthy years.

Nothing can describe that feeling. Nothing.

I know of no other alternative medicine for cats that gives you the depth of healing and the scope for home prescribing. And you can get to this level of success very quickly.

Whilst homeopathy is a wonderful modality of medicine, you can’t go past environmental factors for a good all round balanced health care system for your cat. Factors such as:

• diet
• stress at home
• lack of respect for her
• chemicals in your home or garden
• freedom to be where she wants to be

Alternative medicine therapists will take all these factors into consideration as they well know the value of each and every one of them. Mainstream veterinarians are not trained to look beyond the condition. They are trained to match a drug to the condition. This can be very limiting.

Open your mind to the fact that you may be causing your cats illness, by any of the above factors. But also by not taking care of yourself. Your illness may be causing your cats illness. Sort yourself out, preferably holistically, and you may be surprised to find your cat perks up, too.

If you liked this article, then I invite you to sign up for my free, weekly ezine on how to improve your health and that of your family, including pets, naturally. Included is a complementary ebook on how to have a healthy cat, starting today. Visit http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

Author: Madeleine Innocent
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

There are so many parents out there who are simply unwilling to give their child prescription medicine for ADHD. In fact, studies show that 20% of children who take psycho-stimulants do not even benefit from them at all.

That paired with the harsh side effects of psycho-stimulants is reason enough to explore alternative medicine for ADHD. Here are 4 important reasons why you should give ADHD alternative treatment a try.

1. ADHD alternative medicine is more affordable. By giving your child a homeopathic remedy and changing his diet, you will spend far less money than you would if you bought prescription stimulants every month.

   In the US alone, parents spend billions of dollars each year on psycho-stimulants that pharmaceutical companies try to convince us we can’t live without. In today’s economic climate, it’s essential that we save money in any way we can and avoiding unnecessary prescription drugs is one way we can do that.

2. Alternative medicine for ADHD actually boosts your child’s overall state of health. Homeopathic remedies contain immune system-strengthening ingredients that actually help to improve your child’s health in general.

   You will notice your child’s mood and behavior improve dramatically after changing his diet, giving him a homeopathic remedy, and taking him to a behavioral therapist.

3. ADHD alternative medicine is completely safe. You don’t have to worry about the risks of side effects. You can safely give your child a daily dose of a homeopathic remedy and it will do nothing but improve his health and behavior.

   On the other hand, prescription stimulants are notorious for causing side effects such as headache, stomachache, irritability, and depression.

4. Alternative medicine for ADHD actually cures your child’s ADHD. Conventional treatments for ADHD only suppress the symptoms whereas alternative medicine actually gets to the root of the problem.

If your child takes prescription stimulants and stops, the symptoms will return. However, alternative treatments and lifestyle change provide a long term solution.

Even if your child only takes a homeopathic remedy for a period of time, he will be cured of his ADHD. However, optimal results come with regular use.

Alternative medicine for ADHD is gaining traction and it’s easy to see why. It is safer, more effective in the long term, and far more affordable than conventional remedies like prescription stimulants.

For the best results, change your child’s diet to ensure that it is optimally healthy and give him a homeopathic remedy. Not all homeopathic remedies are created equal so look for one that contains ingredients well known to be effective in alleviating ADHD symptoms such as hyoscyamus and verta alb.

The right homeopathic remedy combined with a healthy lifestyle will improve your child’s health dramatically. You’ll finally be able to call ADHD a problem of the past.

John Paduchak is a health researcher and the webmaster of http://adhd-planner.com and http://natural-adhd-remedies.com designed to help parents and those with ADD/ADHD find natural remedies & information to improve their lives. John has ADHD and is also a parent of 2 children with ADD/ADHD. One of his children’s ADHD symptoms were so severe it forced him to do continual research on the subject and share it with everyone who might benefit from the effort in his sites.

Author: John Paduchak
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian

Alternative Medicine is one side of an intense love-hate relationship for many seniors. What makes this statement fact is a recent federal survey that reveals that more than 34 percent of all U.S. adults routinely use it.

What about children you ask. Approximately 12 percent of them avail themselves of it, of which nutritional supplements play a large role. But what is this form of medicine?

Simply put, alternative medicine is any method of treatment for the relief, or cure, of any disease or malady that is not either approved, or recommended, by established medical practitioners and their professional organizations.

The survey included more than 32,000 Americans and was conducted in 2007. One of the findings was very revealing. Since the last survey was taken five years earlier, the use of many types of this form of treatment had neither increased, or decreased, during the ensuing five year span.

These numbers tell us that each year, millions of people are putting their trust in the regular use of complementary alternative medicine. The percentage of those doing so hadn’t changed noticeably.

Does this mean that all seniors in the United States should begin immediately putting their trust in nutritional supplements, accupuncture, “probiotics” such as fish oil and a host of other natural treatments than we can’t find in our local pharmacy?

No! What seniors should do is set out on a path of finding out what complementary medicine can do for them as individuals. Emphasis is placed on the word complementary. By no means should seniors stop their regular usage of medicine prescribed by their personal physicians.

The most serious problem that exists with alternative medicine is the lack of scientific testing and verification of many of the claims put forth by practitioners in the field.

All of us look for hope, and as we age, our bodies gradually reflect the wear and tear of living our lives.

There exists no magic potion that will return us to the vitality and appearance of youth we once had. Alternative medicine is no mystical wand employed by a great wizard that can cure us of all maladies, including aging.

But it can do some very interesting things to us both physically and mentally. Before seeking so called “natural cures,” educate yourself! If you have access to a computer, you can do this without even leaving the comfort of your own home.

This is why this treatment brings out a love/hate situation in most seniors. While everyone would love to feel better physically and suffer less pain, they hate the very thought of having to plow through the myriads of treatments that make up the subject to pinpoint the ones that could help them.

The following are several easy steps to follow that will yield remarkable results for your search.

1. Look up your malady or particular pain on the internet. Don’t look for the treatment, simply identify the problem as it affects you personally.
2. Now seek personal experiences on the web that identify others suffering from your identical problem.
3. Make a list of the medicinal treatments that helped others.
4. Now look up the specific treatments and learn about them intimately.
5. This is very important! Before you begin using any type of medicine, consult your physician. Some medications prescribed by your doctor often react to other things. Play it safe!

The amazing thing about many new medicines put on the market by major pharmaceutical houses regularly, is that they originated in nature, and were first manufactured by green plants.

Don’t rule out all alternative medicine as just fairy tales and smoke. Take the time to investigate them for yourself. After all…there may be remnants of the Garden of Eden still left somewhere in the world. You wouldn’t want to miss that for lack of knowing its location.

Raymond Angus is a widely published author of articles and books about how seniors can be healthy and prosperous in today’s world. Do you want to live successfully? Visit = http://www.TheSeniorsLife.com.

Author: Raymond Angus
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Gadget reviews

Allopathic treatment

In allopathic treatment, they consider and treat everyone in a similar manner and the drugs are used for treatments. Mostly these drugs are used to stop or block one particular function of an organ. Drugs never correct the root cause and it only gives temporary relief.

Alternative medicine :

Alternative medicine system consider human as a whole and it treat each human differently with respect to his body nature, even for the same disease. It not only considers the disease, but also its causes – physical and mental reasons behind the cause.

Homeopathic remedies diabetes

For example homeopathic remedy is concern they find the correct remedy by looking for symptoms of:

- Main complication
- Physical symptoms
- Mental/emotional/psychological symptoms
- Modalities (when the disease is better and when it is worst)
- Causation (reason behind the disease – root cause)

Diabetes homeopathic remedies are individualized with respect to their individual physical, mental, modalities and causation. That means one medicine identified to an individual works best to him but it will not give same result to another, that is he/she may need different medicine with respect to his/her nature.

Natural herbal remedies diabetes

It is also called herbal medicine, herbal therapy, herbal treatment and botanical medicines. Medicinal herbs are used to prevent and treat diseases or to promote health and healing. Either the dried plant as a whole or a specific part of it (root, leaves, fruit, flowers or seeds) is formulated into suitable preparation. Natural remedies are not only control blood sugar, but at the same time it will take care of kidney, liver, eye and hearts. These are the organs that may be affected by long term of diabetes. Also the carbohydrate metabolism is carried out by liver, kidney, pancreas and small intestine, a small defect in these organs may be the reason behind the cause of diabetes. Thus the herb medicines correct these organs for proper utilization and elimination of the glucose and also prevent long term diabetes complications.

Yoga poses diabetes :

Yoga refers to be the traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. It has the ability to balance body, mind & spirit. This discipline has curative power for many chronic diseases that include diabetes, by activating glandular systems responsible for the illness. In the case of diabetes, yoga poses give mild and gentle massages to the internal organs such as pancreas, liver, intestine, etc. These organs are responsible for carbohydrate metabolism, a small defect in these organs may be the reason behind the cause of diabetes.

Diabetes Acupressure

Acupressure is also called as healing touch. TCM relies on a number of basic principles which have been refined over thousands of years of medical practice. One of the major principles of this medical tradition is the idea that health is governed by the flow of life force, or “qi”, through the body. Interruptions in this flow can lead to medical complaints, as the body’s balance of energy is disrupted.
In the case of diabetes many patients have found that they have either cured or decreased the severity of their diabetes after acupressure treatment.

Diabetes Reflexology Massage

Reflexology massage or zone therapy is particularly a healing art by applying pressure (using the hand, fingers and especially the thumbs). This massage is specifically done to feet, hands and some times even to the ears. It activates the reflex points which are the reflexes of those organs in the body. That is why reflexology massage shows positive impact on promoting self-healing capabilities on diabetes.

Complementary Medicine:

All the above said alternative medicine treatments are also called as complementary medicine. The name “complementary medicine” developed as the two or more systems began to be used alongside (to complement each other).

So if we use all the above said alternative medicines all together (used all the medicines at the same time) there is a amazing result because one complements the other;

- Homeopathy treats disease by physical, mental, modalities and causation symptoms – treat human as a whole by stimulating our own body system.
- Herbal remedies correct the disease by correcting the organ responsible for the disease – this system corrects the functioning of the organ responsible.
- Yoga is a physical and mental discipline that gives massage to the internal organ and calms the mind for proper function of the organ.
- Acupressure is a healing touch which clears the blockage of qi (vital energy) and thus function of the particular organ is normalized.
- Reflexology is an art of massaging the reflex points of the organ responsible for the disease. If the reflex points of certain organ is gently massaged it get stimulated and start functioning normally.

If you use all the above said complementary medicines, then the chance of cure for the disease is very high.

As an example we took alternative medicine treatment for diabetes, it is not only for diabetes also effective for cholesterol, high and low blood pressure, eye problems, etc. I named a few the list is endless.

Diabetes natural herbal remedies
Diabetes homeopathy – Homeopathic remedies

Author: Thiruvelan Ramasamy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Nowadays, people are losing confidence on allopathic medicine. It is no longer the panacea people once perceived and been accustomed to. Questions now haunt conventional medical practices as the public’s primary concern shifted to protecting their family’s lives and their own.

The attention has turned towards alternative medicine – which is gaining reputation in the field of health care. It has become the benchmark as conventional medicine fails to produce satisfactory results.

Television and other forms of media continue to endorse medications that guarantee to alleviate and contain known diseases. Moreover, advertisements entice the public by allowing strangers to give dubious testimonials on a certain drug.

Magazine ads do the same. Some drug’s side effects are mentioned but appear to be carelessly explained and examined.

These effects resulted in a deviation of norm as people choose alternative medicine. Here are some examples of the adverse side effects of Premarin, the popular hormone replacement therapy:

* Migraine headache

* Chest pain

* Confusion of the mind and memory problems

* Lower extremities swelling

These consequences during menopause could easily be remedied by consulting an herbalist. A combination of black cohosh and dong quai offers a safe treatment in this period in life.

The general public is conditioned to use traditional allopathic, also known as Western medicine, which concentrates on the ailment and drug prescription. Alternative medicine on the other hand targets the root of discomfort consequently curing the entire body.

As a result, people tend to do extra research on a prescribed medicine for it may present worse conditions than the occurring illness. Because of these side effects, people are looking for a safer, more natural, and better approach to good health.

Alternative medicine is becoming one of the mainstream solutions for better health. It is now prescribed by most allopathic doctors to cure sickness and diseases.

The medical profession is beginning to be aware of the positive contributions made to good health by herbs, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and holistic living. As years pass by, alternative medicine is expected to present better and safer approaches to health care.

Author Lenox Smith has a website with a great compilation of information on alternative health care medicine. Visit his website at: http://onalternativemedicines.com

Author: Lenox Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian

Many people are now turning to alternative medicine, such as herbal remedies to treat everything from acne to cancer. However, are these alternative medicines any safer than the prescription drugs that have supposedly been fully researched and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? After all, there has been very little research done in comparison to give us proof that they are a better option.

In recent years we have seen a rash of prescription medications removed from the market due to extremely dangerous, even deadly side effects. We also see television commercials advertising prescription drugs that have a countless number of adverse side effects, some that are worse than the illness that they are originally intended to treat. We are left to wonder if we are doing ourselves more harm than good by buying into the drug companies convincing arguments that they offer the best possible treatments for our ailments.

Lets face it. Anything that we put into our bodies could cause an adverse reaction. This includes prescription drugs as well as any alternative medicines such as herbal remedies. The severity of the reaction is what determines the level of safety for a particular drug or herb. This is also where the uncertainty lies. With a prescription drug, most of the side effects have been identified and are made known to anyone that takes it. They are also monitored and controlled by the FDA. With alternative medications, the side effects are not always known. So, until an individual tries them they do not necessarily know how they will affect them. There may be no reaction whatsoever or there could be a serious reaction that no one else has experienced or reported. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no agency that monitors and controls alternative medicine.

Yes, many people have found relief from alternative medicines and in many cases there have been no reports of noticeable physical side effects. That does not mean that there are no hidden internal side effects. Many herbal remedies that were once thought to be safe are now being shown to have some very serious side effects if taken for extended periods of time. For example, Ginger, at one time, was thought to be a safe alternative treatment for arthritis. Recent studies now show that it contains natural chemical compounds that are extremely similar to those found in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is also thought that they can cause many of the same side effects such as stomach and intestinal damage, interference with the clotting of the blood, and fluid retention that can be serious for those with heart failure or high blood pressure. This just goes to show that there is no way of really knowing the long-term effects of any medication, natural or man-made, without doing thorough research and in depth studies.

Ultimately, it is difficult to say whether or not alternative medicines are safer or better than prescription medications. The choice to use them is completely up to the individual. However, it should be noted that mixing alternative medications with prescription medications could be a dangerous game. It is highly recommended that you speak with a health care professional before trying any new medicinal therapy.

For information about alternative herbal medicines, such as St. John’s Wort and how they are used to relieve the symptoms of depression visit http://www.herbsfordepressionrelief.com

Author: Tina Porter
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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