Alternative Health Care Essay Example For Students

Alternative Health Care Essay Alternative health care, also known as holistic or homeopathic care, is a myriadof unconventional health care approaches to healing and improving ill health. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy in the early 1800s. He was sick ofthe art of medicine practiced in his time; he said it was barbaric. He knewthere had to be alternatives so, like any devoted science lover would do, heexperimented on himself and his friends. Hahnemann found that large dosages ofherbs increased symptoms so he decreased the dosage and found that the symptomsdecreased and usually ceased (Smith 10). Homeopathy became popular in thenineteenth century. This may be accounted for because most patients at that timeagreed that them-modern techniques were harsh and didnt work. The same thingis happening today. People are resorting to holistic remedies because thepromise of allopathic medicine has lost its luster(Smith 10). Somecriticize holistic care as being primitive. According to Joseph Wassesug,Holistic medicineis what we practice when we dont know the realanswer. For example, years ago tuberculosis was treated was treated withfresh air and Adirondack chairs, poli o was treated with baths and hub tanks, andrheumatic fever was treated with good nutrition and bed rest! (Copeland 103)Another problem with holistic care is that the government has no regulation ofholistic practices and who practices them. This makes it difficult to determineexactly who is really qualified and which alternative medicines are safe. Finally, critics such as Joseph D. Wassersug argue that while alternativepractitioners may be more caring, some may not have the education or expertiseto effectively treat serious injury (Wekesser 95). We have got to use commonsense when choosing a doctor. When a person has a M.D. or an R.N. after his namewe opt to trust our life to him! One should check the doctors backgroundbefore visiting him. blind trust of medical degrees is not a replacementfor using common sense (Copeland 105). When someone chooses alternative carehe must take into consideration its dangers. One could actually overdose onvitamins or misuse herbal therapies. Instead of feeling better, I feltincreasingly worse, like a spaced out zombie complained Carol Copeland, aformer holistic patient who almost lost her life to cancer because herhomeopathic physicians were to proud to think they were wrong thus theyneglected an ovarian cyst (Copeland 104 Wekesser 95). Another problem with theseunconventional health care alter natives is that they give false relief. Whatthis means is that when someone uses a holistic remedy and then feels relief hetends to credit the remedy. This method does not hold water because mostailments resolve themselves (headache for example). Barrett says holisticpractitioners are quacks. The main reason for quackerys success is itsability to seduce people who are unsuspecting and desperate (Barrett112-113). Nevertheless, holistic medicine has strengths. One, it recognizes thepsychological, environmental and social aspects of illness. Two, it involves thepatient in his own treatment with activities etc.. And three, it emphasizespreventive medicine as its base (holistic). Holistic medicine is a practice ofhealth cares that that emphasizes treatment of the entire patient?body, mindand spirit. Homeopathic care, compared to allopathic is expensive. There are nodoctors visits, or expensive antibiotic prescriptions necessary. This isnot to say that doctors are not useful; obviously, i f there were a seriousinjury one should not hesitate to go to a medical (allopathic) doctor (Smith10). Homeopathy is ideal for the homemaker or mother because it enables her tocure common ailments with herbs that she may have around her home (Smith10). .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .postImageUrl , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:hover , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:visited , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:active { border:0!important; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:active , .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1 .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2897f21a221bea99be6249d4ed4129f1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: James Reichardt Monday May 24th 2004 EssayHomeopathy is easy to learn. There are workshops for the lay person that wantsto understand holistic medicine. The use of many remedies can be performed byanyone; hence homeopathy does not require a medical degree (Smith 10). It makessense to try alternative care. Some people feel that doctors are too interestedin money and not entirely concerned with the patient (Gordon 107). There is anentirely new faith involved in alternative health care. It is a new approach totradition and though some may be skeptical there is much reason to have a soundmind towards it. Homeopathy works fast; in most cases the remedies take affectin ten minut es. If by chance a homeopathy remedy didnt work one could stillseek other medical help without worrying that he waited too long (Solovitch100). Some people chose alternative care because so many other methods (anddoctors) fail to cure them. Others do not like the way they were treated bydoctorswhether it is bad bedside manner or neglect of their feelings. Physicians of holistic medicine are oft more attentive to their patientsneeds and not as rushed as medical doctors (Wekesser 95). In the time of need itis most comforting to know that the physician cares and wants to help. This is atrue story of a man diagnosed with colon cancer. The oncologist told him that hehad only a few months to live; the tumors were enormous and irreversible. A weekafter that doctor visit the man, Jon, and his wife were in a car accident. Bothwere okay yet suffered minor back and neck injuries so they went to achiropractor. On January 18, 1993 Dr. Gil Logatto saw Jon and his wife Tina fortheir first visit. He learned of Jons illness and instead of feeling sorryfor him he was excited for him. Dr. Logatto went on to tell of his own interestin holistic medicine. And a study he had read that carrot juice would shrink thetumors. Jon told Tina and, though skeptical, she bought a juicer and a case ofcarrots. They began drinking carrot juice three times a day. When Jo n went backto the oncologist on March 9, 1993 to everyones surprise there was only onesmall tumor left from the six massive tumors which had afflicted him just twomonths before! It is almost five years since Jon was diagnosed terminally illand he is cancer free. Tina and Jon have a new found faith in holistic medicine;and they also have a baby on the way thanks to Dr. Logattos interest inholistic medicine. Dr. Logatto has been a close friend of the family for manyyears. He is well educated in many fields of medicine. OUTLINE THESIS: I feelthat alternative medicine, such as holistic care and homeopathy, is a greatconcept. It is safe effective and inexpensive; what more could one want fromhealth care! I am concerned, however, that misused holistic medicine could bedangerous. But then I am reminded that if there were a problem, there would beno dangerous time delay to get an allopathic physician. I. Background II. Dangerous and ineffective A. Primitive B. Overdose C. No government regulationD. False relief III. Safe and effective A. Inexpensive B. Simple C. New faith D. Natural E. Fast F. Other methods may fail IV. Personal exampleBibliographyBerrett, Steven. Alternative Medicine Should Not Be Considered StandardMedical Practice 1993 Rpt. Health Care in America: Opposing viewpointp.112-113 Copeland, Carolyn. Alternative Medicine Can Be Dangerous andIneffective 1991 Rpt. Health Care in America: Opposing viewpoint p. 101-105Gordon, James S. Alternative Medicine Should Be Standard Medical Practice1993 Rpt. Health Care in America: Opposing viewpoint p. 107 Health Care inAmerica: Opposing viewpoint Ed. Carol Wekesser. San Diego: Greenhaver, 1994Holistic Medicine American Academic Encyclopedia 1997 ed. Prodigy, GrolierElectronic Publishing, Inc. Smith, Robert. The Magic of Homeopathy TotalHealth vol. 15 August 1993 p.10 Solovitch, Sara. . Alternative Medicine CanBe Safe and Effective 1992 Rpt. Health Care in America: Opposing viewpoint p. .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .postImageUrl , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:hover , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:visited , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:active { border:0!important; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:active , .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1 .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u43b53f10e83d8f8b357f27305dede6e1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: What Makes Your Dream Job? Essay97-100 Wekesser, Carol. Is Alternative Medicine Safe? Health Care inAmerica: Opposing viewpoint 1994 p. 95