Alternative Medicine for Health Care - Essay Sample

Introduction

Alternative Medicine (CAM) as medical treatment that does not form part of the Standard medical care. It is a treatment that is used instead of the Standard Medical care. For instance, instead of talking the anticancer drugs as prescribed, a patient may use a special diet or herbs to treat cancer. This method of treatment is used by many patients and some have confessed that they have achieved healing. However, patients should realize that natural sources are not reliable, and they may have serious adverse effects (Homeopathy is pointless, says expert). Further, when taking dietary supplements, individuals should read the instructions carefully and seek clarification on matters of contention. Alternative medicines should be discouraged since they are not regulated, their treatment data is not available, and they cannot be scientifically proven.

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Individual attitudes and beliefs about alternative medicine influence health care treatment of patients. Homeopathic remedies are part of the alternative medicines, and they are not as effective as standard medicine. According to Professor Edzard Ernst, "Controlled studies show no difference in recovery rates between those who receive homeopathic medicines and those who receive a placebo" (Homeopathy is pointless, says expert) Therefore, such remedies are ineffective and should not be used. Two main attitudinal dimensions affect patients' attitudes towards alternative medicine probing them to choose it as a suitable treatment option. First, dissatisfaction with conventional medicine often characterized by poor doctor-patient relationship and past experiences with CAM may influence a health recipient's preference of CAM over standard medical care (Ventola 461). Secondly, individuals with a philosophical congruence with CAM are more likely to choose it as a suitable form of treatment. Philosophical congruence explores the balance factor associated with CAM. This balance sustains that an immutable force influence physical and mental health. Such individuals believe that the body is self-healing and as such, a physician should only aid in the healing process.

Since some CAM therapies are not widely used, scientific evidence on the benefits and potential risks of alternative medicines such as herbs are rare, and the information that is available is distorted. As such, the credibility of any information on these medicines may questionable thus necessitating the need to ascertain its trustworthiness. When using Internet resources and checking the dates of creation and whether there are regular updates, you will realize that some of them lack proper research and hence no updates. Only recent articles contain new information such as newly discovered side effects (Ventola 461). Consulting a health practitioner to determine whether the information you have gathered is credible; the response may not be helpful since most of them are not informed about the methods.

Alternative treatments have side effects ranging from negligible effects to life-threatening experiences. For instance, in acupuncture, numerous cases have been reported of pneumothorax, a complication resulting from the use of acupuncture as the treatment for bronchial asthma, arthritis, and lower back pain among others (Ventola 463). Additionally, the use of unconventional means may result in infectious complications such as bacterial endocarditis, Staphylococcal septicemia, mycobacteriosis, and HIV infection among others. Also, it may also lead to organ toxicity due to the numerous unknown substances with uncertain properties contained in the herbs.

On the other hand, there are reported cases where alternative medicines have worked (Wrinn, How I Healed from Lyme Disease Naturally). Considering the case of Lindsay Wrinn who was healed from Lyme disease, the student used herbs and supplements which are widely available; therefore, they can be used to give some remedy before seeking the conventional medicine (Wrinn, How I Healed from Lyme Disease Naturally). The effectiveness is more of psychological healing since the homeopathic doctors have more time for their patients talking to them and they are more empathetic than their counterparts. Patients should consult their physicians concerning alternative treatments that they are undertaking to ensure they are safe and efficient. If a person should start experiencing any side effects, they should discontinue the treatment and ask for help from a health practitioner.

It was averted in 1998 after the creation of NCCAM to oversee the sector (Ventola 466). Licensure refers to the granting of permission by a competent body allowing an individual to engage in medical acts and procedures. Licensure is based solely on education qualification rather than performance. Certification denotes the assessment of a practitioner's qualities, characteristics, and attributes among others to ascertain that an individual has achieved a certain level of specialty.

There is little knowledge regarding CAM therapies among the physicians and the scientific community. As a result, practitioners do not feel sufficiently equipped to advise patients of the use of CAM treatments. It follows then that most patients consume these medications without a clear understanding of the possible adverse outcomes. Therefore, they should not be used. Patients should be advised to use standard medicine since they can easily access relevant and professional information on the side effects, treatment period and get an assurance of recovering from their illnesses.

Works Cited

"Homeopathy is pointless, says expert." (May 2006). dailymail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-387452/Homeopathy-pointless-says-expert.html. 2 March 2019.

Lindsay Wrinn. "How I Healed From Lyme Disease Naturally." (n.d). mindbodygreen.com. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7005/how-i-healed-from-lyme-disease-naturally.html. Web. 2 March 2019.

Ventola, Lee. "Current Issues Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States: Part 1: The Widespread Use of CAM and the Need for Better-Informed Health Care Professionals to Provide Patient Counseling." P & T: A Peer-Reviewed Journal For Formulary Management vol. 35, no. 8, Aug 2010, pp. 461- 468.