Scientific Studies and Medicine
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Scientific Studies and Medicine
| Wed, 05-17-2006 - 6:56am |
With all the conflicting studies out there, the media hype, and the commercials on prescription drugs, how much do you base your own health on them? Do you go a more homeopathic route or do you agree with more modern medicine or both?
The last few days, they have been hyping up "suntanning addiction". That people get high from laying out in the sun. I feel all this fear of UV rays and being out in the sun too much is one reason people plan things to do indoors much more often and not enjoy nature.
I am hearing more and more about having to put uv protection on even in the winter. I do believe if you are planning to go to the beach, you should protect yourself and children, but are we really going overboard? I feel laying in the sun sometimes relaxes me and gets me in a better mood. How do you feel?
As for the drugs for everything and the news stories about them are really overwhelming and fearing many people. Some of these drugs seem to have more of a reaction than help the ailment. Although I do agree that drugs are needed, I feel we are getting to the point that pills are an easy fix and that many times, they are unnecessary.
What is your philosophy on modern medicine? How do you relieve your ailments? Do you believe drugs are the answer or would you try more Eastern medicine before taking them?
I know this is a pretty controversial and deep conversation, but I believe it is important because many of us have children and grandchildren who will be more affected by this in years to come.
Hugs!
R-
The last few days, they have been hyping up "suntanning addiction". That people get high from laying out in the sun. I feel all this fear of UV rays and being out in the sun too much is one reason people plan things to do indoors much more often and not enjoy nature.
I am hearing more and more about having to put uv protection on even in the winter. I do believe if you are planning to go to the beach, you should protect yourself and children, but are we really going overboard? I feel laying in the sun sometimes relaxes me and gets me in a better mood. How do you feel?
As for the drugs for everything and the news stories about them are really overwhelming and fearing many people. Some of these drugs seem to have more of a reaction than help the ailment. Although I do agree that drugs are needed, I feel we are getting to the point that pills are an easy fix and that many times, they are unnecessary.
What is your philosophy on modern medicine? How do you relieve your ailments? Do you believe drugs are the answer or would you try more Eastern medicine before taking them?
I know this is a pretty controversial and deep conversation, but I believe it is important because many of us have children and grandchildren who will be more affected by this in years to come.
Hugs!
R-

I'm w/ you on pretty much all of this!
I agree that *we* (as a society) have gotten a bit "pill happy" and seem to have gone way over-board w/ not only some of the medications out there . . . but the surgeries, too! (I mean seriously we're into nip & tucking anything and everything these days . . . personally, I can't imagine *volunteering* to have surgery ~ JMHO!). And I agree that many times the side effects to a certain medication seem to be far more serious than the initial ailment (what's up w/ that?).
Personally, I'll take an "asprin" sort of med if I have a really bad ache of some sort (head, back) and have to be somewhere or do something ~ otherwise I'll fix a cup of tea, relax, take an Epsom-salt soak, or use some other sort of *home* remedy ~ depending. I seldom ever take over-the-counter meds and can barely remember the last time I had to have a prescription. I believe "an oz. of prevention is worth a lb. of cure"! (and a good cup of tea is worth . . . . . hmmmm . . . *A LOT*!!!)
And while I agree, if you're going to the beach/river/pool etc. - put on sunscreen! But I *love* to be out in the sun ~ it's restoritive in my mind (soul, too!!).
JMHO ~~~~ Blessings, "M"
This is always a struggle. Western medicine treats symptoms, preferring either to drug you or cut you in surgery. Only recently are more doctors and health care plans including health education and wellness. More holisitic treatments have helped me avoid heavy duty drugs or surgery, for a cervical rupture disc, for example. Using chiropractic and acupuncture brought me healing. On the other hand, in some cases, heavy duty drugs and/or surgery are the best solution/option.
I think people need to educate themselves, divest themselves of the mindset that there's an easy solution -- just drug yourself (the underlying message, IMO, of all drug commercials we see on TV), and do our research. Above all, whatever we choose, holistic methods or more invasive Western medicine methodologies, we should accept personal responsibility for our choices.
I haven't heard the hype about sun screens, but I do use it when out in direct sun in the summer months, when the rays are stronger. I am on a medication that makes me more sensitive, so I take precautions. I learned long ago the dangers of "seeking" a suntan, so I don't have that mindset that a suntan is more "healthy looking." I think needing UV protection depends on the person, their geographic location, and other details of their personal health. If they are susceptible to skin cancers, then yes, use it year-round. And so forth.
Just my ramblings over the years of both using Western and holistic methods.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
Basteing with oils and roasting in the sun, as well as going to tanning booths is flirting with skin cancer.
Those Rx commercials are something else! If you listen, they lower the volume of the narrator and he speaks verrrry fast when listing the side effects. Those side effects are often worse than whatever good the drug is supposed to do. The commercials try to manipulate us with the mindset that no matter what your problem, some pill will fix it. >>:-\\ Pill taker beware, IMO! I always look up any new Rx before filling. Sometimes the side effect is hearing loss! And THAT I don't need, having already lost half my hearing. :( People really need to educate themselves and discuss side effects and the trade off with what health problem the drug is supposed to help.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
As for the commercials...They make me sick! I believe that the Doctor should choose by his own research not by what a rep or commercial says. It seems they are pushing out drugs without enough research on them and they are causing more harm than good.
I was a Pharm Tech for 12 years and also have seen the benefits of drugs and the worst of situations with people taking them. I have seen the most intelligent people become addicted to pain pills and become completely different people...like zombies, but I have seen people on the verge of dying from HIV do an almost complete 360.
I have chosen doctors who believe in both Western and Holistic medicines and my life has changed completely. I have a dislocated jaw that has never been treated. A TMJ specialist, massage therapist, speech pathologist and chiropractor have all worked together to help me and the pain is almost completely gone...I don't have to get my jaw broken and realigned now. I have also done the same on my neck and back. I have 4 herniated discs in my neck. A year ago, my Neurosurgeon said I would have to get surgery within a year. Through Yoga stretches,my Chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncture, I have avoided surgery indefinitely.
I just think that it is important to bring this subject up as it might help a few people look into other avenues besides Western medicine. Funny part is, you think I spent a lot on all these treatments, but I spent less compared to how much the drugs and surgeries would have cost that I would've had to get.
Thanks for all the opinions and insight!
The one thing that is frustrating, though, is that when I had my ruptured cervical disc, and had weekly acupuncture and chiropractic, it was all out of pocket expense. $100/week for 6 months. That really hurt is financially, but in the long run gave me full strength recovery, mobility and no pain. Had I gone the Western medicine surgery route that WAS COVERED by our insurance only offered me maybe 50% recovery possibility, with pain meds for life. :-\
Trouble is, many insurance plans don't cover the holistic, like ours does not. So for many people, they are limited to what's covered because of out of pocket cost. So holistic is unfortunately not an option for everyone, just like even having medical coverage isn't an option for everyone, depending on employer and/or financial status.
You are so right, though, that holistic treatments, less invasive, that work with the body, are sometimes the best. Just wish it were more available to everybody and more doctors were trained and supportive of combining Western invasive methods with the holistic. There is some progress, though, and that's good. :P
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
I don't want to be on any meds. unless it is absoliutely necessary. I find other ways that work for me. No coffee keeps my blood pressure normal. one cup of high test and I am up. I can't sleep with 1 cup of hot choc before bed. It is sad that one gets insurance for pills and not for hollistic methords. I am also finding, by being in a side line with a hollistic product, that many, many people are fearful of hollistics and don't want to part with their meds. I keep quiet and don't try to get them interesated in my product. I think that is weird. some people are also invested in being sick. Love, Leila
With my insurance, I have to reach a 2,000 dollar deductible before any procedure will be paid for. I am paying 100 a week to see the chiropractor and soon I'll have to fork out 500 for my TMJ specialist. The funny part is, I could easily go into a walk-in clinic, show them my MRI and come out with heavy painkillers that would cost 10 dollars on my insurance!
Saying that, it's no wonder all the teens and 20 year olds are getting hooked on pain meds. It is so easy to take a pill and not deal with reality and it's so easy to get them.
As for the coffee thing, you can't keep me away from mine in the morning! I did cut down, though, I used to have about 5 cups every morning when my kids were babies just to keep up with work and them...at least I am down to about 2. I guess everyone has their vices!!! LOL