Alternative Medicine: Benefits Vs. Risks

Introduction:

Being a homeopathic practitioner, I have the opportunity to observe, learn and analyze the present health status of the community. It is not at all limited to just a district, state, province, or country, but it is a microcosm of the whole world, and I am not at all exaggerating. The earlier you realize it, the more actively you would act on it.

The first question that arises in my mind is that although the governments are spending loads of money, time, and human power on health, medicine, and the latest medical equipment and technology, why are the number of persons with severe and fatal diseases increasing exponentially every day?

Is Modern Medicine a Culprit for Certain Diseases?

A few years ago, cancer was rare news. But now, every other house has at least one person fighting this monster. And we are busy finding out the cause within our environment and food when the real culprit is escaping our sight. In my opinion, the cause is nothing but modern medicine.

We are only made aware of their immediate side effects. But, what we do not realize is that with a long span of consuming the allopathic medicine, irreversible changes are caused, and they come by the name of:

• Cancer.

• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

• SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).

• RA (rheumatoid arthritis), etc.

And again, they are treated with the same modern medicine to be twisted into new forms. This is a never-ending process, a vicious circle.

Now, enough of me criticizing the same medical fraternity I belong to. I am not against modern medicine. It has a crucial role to play, and no one can replace its use. It is almost indispensable in certain conditions.

But, when it comes to a case where we have the time to save a patient and cure the disease at a relaxed pace with alternative therapies like homeopathy, ayurveda, unani, Siddha, etc., (which come with minimal or no side effects), we should be giving it a fair chance.

What Are the Benefits of Alternative Treatment?

With homeopathic treatment, which is my expertise, I can assure you that if given a concentrated effort, it can reduce the total number of patients to half and drastically reduce the financial load of healthcare expenses of a country, state, and most importantly, a family.

Now considering the specific merits of homeopathy:

1. Minimum Medicine: In homeopathy, we consider the patient as a whole. Instead of prescribing one drug for each symptom, we prescribe one medicine at a time, which covers the patient as a whole and improves the general health of the person with the disappearance of the problem concerned.

2. No Side Effects: If prescribed according to the principles of homeopathy, then there are almost no side effects. Even if some are experienced, they are transient.

3. Cost-Effective: In chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, it limits the use of medicines to a certain amount of time instead of lifelong intake of harmful medicines. This ultimately reduces the cost.

4. Acute Diseases: One of the major misconceptions about homeopathy is that it acts slow. Because of this, a majority of the population does not prefer to take it in acute conditions. However, I have to disagree. I will say homeopathy acts fast if taken properly and can be the best option or say the first choice of treatment in acute conditions. And to support this, there are thousands of cases reported online as well as in my practice.

5. In Pediatrics: When it comes to children, we worry about the future health hazards of medicines where homeopathy comes as a savior with practically no side effects. In turn, it improves the general health of the child. Being sweet pills, children usually love to take homeopathic medicines.

6. Incurable Diseases: Many of the so-called incurable diseases are now being reported cured by homeopaths all over the world with proof. Also, where the pathology has progressed beyond repair like in metastatic cancers, and the patient has to endure the severe side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, in those cases also, homeopathy works miracles by minimizing the pain and making the patient's journey quite tranquil.

7. Ray of Hope: The cases like cerebral palsy and many other developmental disorders of the child where allopathy offers symptomatic relief, homeopathic treatment can be beneficial and bring the change from the very core of the child.

I can go on with the list, but I guess these points are quite enough to consider homeopathy as a choice of treatment.

Is Alternative Treatment Safe?

Alternative treatments are typically safe, and the chance of a severe side effect arising from taking these treatments is considered small. Some alternative treatments can include substances that are not safe or inhibit the action of other medicines. It would be best if you talk to the health care provider before stopping any medications prescribed by the doctor or avoiding procedures such as vaccination instead of alternative medicine. However, some common side effects of homeopathic medicines are:

• Confusion.

• Increased eye pressure.

• Orthostatic hypotension - A form of low blood pressure.

• Hives.

• Blurred vision.

• Dry mouth.

• Inflammation of the skin due to an allergy.

• Generalized weakness.

• Decreased breast milk production.

• A skin rash.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Dilated pupils.

• Memory loss.

• Drowsiness.

• Difficult or painful urination.

• Headache.

• Gas.

Conclusion:

On a personal note, I have been treating my son of two years of age, right from his birth, with homeopathic medicine alone and not given him a single allopathic medicine, and I can confidently say he is healthier than any other child in the community.

If given a chance at the very initial stage of the disease, homeopathic treatment can change the course of the disease and save patients from prolonged suffering. Dismally, people choose to try homeopathy as the last resort when the case is almost out of hand. It is time to think of what we are getting in turn. Are you still skeptical? It is good to be, but not at the expense of your health.