Just skim through some of the posts by these people!
The first messages that I read were regarding colloidal silver...... as a "cure all" for *everything* !!!
While I'm sure some of the advice given here is legitimate, the posts that I read were touting certain items as the cure all for every ailment. And I just love the fasting section...
It scares me because these people seemed so desperate... willing to try anything..... and rather than take their physician (or even oncologists) advice, they are turning to complete strangers for advice on things like colloidal silver "dissolving" cataracts, and curing lyme disease!
When it comes to Lyme Disease sometimes patients cant find a Dr. willing to treat them long term (many Lyme Dr.'s do not take health insurance--they were removed as providers a long time ago). Yes, they are desperate.
As a RN and person with a chronic illness I almost understand the desperation. If you told me that sprinkling salt over my body or bathing in chocolate soda would cure me, I might be likely to give it a try. I have been to 5 GI's in the pat 2 years and each has done less for me that the former. One actually made me worse, while another ignored my symptoms until I had to be hospitalized. We have to have some understanding of these peoples motives. The sites motives are the main problem, as are the snakeoil salespeople as mentioned above.
There are many fine physicians and nurses who do serious research on CAM and intergrative alternatives. There are peer reviewed journals dedicated to just this. There are research institutes in the US dedicated to research in these areas. They are run By very dedicated and comptent Medical and Osteopathic Physicians.
THEN THERE ARE THESE UNEDUCATED FOOLS. I went to the site when I first saw this post a couple days ago. I did not read any of the postings. I looked for the credentials and backgroud of these two "docotors" One gave absolutely no information about himself at all. Is that "Dr" even a PHD? it did not say. The other one is a (if I reacall ) Dr. of Natropathy. A legitimate title.
However, Having talked to MDs and RNs who were also NPs I know that he does not have the background knowlege to do what he is doing.
In his bio he talks about being in trouble with the law and having to "hide" his activities etc.
I know NPs who have and who have not degrees in other health related fields like medicine. None have to hide what they do from the law.
So what is this guy up to that he has been in so much trouble? Hmm?
The problem is neither these "doctors" nor thier followers do not know what they do not know.
They throw around the title "Dr." with no qualifyer. When ever I see someone use the title "Dr." I look to see what if anything their degree is in.
Look at the number of books written by Dr. this and Dr. that that address health issues and they're doctorate degree is not even in a health related field.
I get very suspicious when someone calls themselves Dr. in front of their name instead of MD, DO, DC, DDS or some other title after thier name.
The above seldom use the term Dr., in print. Instead they use the appropriate title after the name.
But the public is not that astute and falls for anyone who calls themselvs doctor without a single qualifiyer.
Ssadly some doctors dont even have an AA degree in basket weaving but still use the title.
This subject really hits home for me. My husband has suffered from psoriasis since he was 15 yo (he's now 49) and has tried everything under the sun to try and "cure" it. He's been to countless Dr.'s including dermatologist, but everything they've given him doesn't work and often has severe side effects. In desperation I've watched my husband use antifreeze (topically not orally), battery acid, herbs, supplements, and even urine (his own). I know this all sounds horrible but I can certainly understand how he feels. Especially when we live in a society obsessed with beauty and good looks. He's told me that there have been times when women wouldn't even want to touch him because they thought he was a monster or that it was contagious. A lot of alternative medicine is quackery but some is legitimate and I know from personal experience how people can become desperate enough to try anything.
There are many fine physicians and nurses who do serious research on CAM and intergrative alternatives. There are peer reviewed journals dedicated to just this. There are research institutes in the US dedicated to research in these areas. They are run By very dedicated and comptent Medical and Osteopathic Physicians.
THEN THERE ARE THESE UNEDUCATED FOOLS. I went to the site when I first saw this post a couple days ago. I did not read any of the postings. I looked for the credentials and backgroud of these two "docotors" One gave absolutely no information about himself at all. Is that "Dr" even a PHD? it did not say. The other one is a (if I reacall ) Dr. of Natropathy. A legitimate title.
However, Having talked to MDs and RNs who were also NPs I know that he does not have the background knowlege to do what he is doing.
In his bio he talks about being in trouble with the law and having to "hide" his activities etc.
I know NPs who have and who have not degrees in other health related fields like medicine. None have to hide what they do from the law.
So what is this guy up to that he has been in so much trouble? Hmm?
The problem is neither these "doctors" nor thier followers do not know what they do not know.
They throw around the title "Dr." with no qualifyer. When ever I see someone use the title "Dr." I look to see what if anything their degree is in.
Look at the number of books written by Dr. this and Dr. that that address health issues and they're doctorate degree is not even in a health related field.
I get very suspicious when someone calls themselves Dr. in front of their name instead of MD, DO, DC, DDS or some other title after thier name.
The above seldom use the term Dr., in print. Instead they use the appropriate title after the name.
But the public is not that astute and falls for anyone who calls themselvs doctor without a single qualifiyer.
Ssadly some doctors dont even have an AA degree in basket weaving but still use the title.
I had PSC and UC and I don't think that there is any cure to it- despite the remedies listed. I was only 11 when I was diagnosed, and ended up with a liver transplant. IT would be great however if there were a way to subside the flare ups from colitis- which is no good to me now since I had my large intestine removed. I don't believe any of these crazy websites.
Posted by Marilyn: Sorry but the alternative medicine folks have been talking about the dangers of ephedra for a LONG time.
Ephedra has no place in alternative medicine and never has.
Where did you come up with this? Ephedra (Ma Huang) has been used in Oriental Medicine for 4-5,000 years. It has ephedrine and pseudoephedrine and has been used in Oriental Medicine to treat respiratory conditions. Like many meds, it's safe in the right dose.
RNs should be aware of the basics of "Complementary" medicine as there are more visits in this area than to Western medicine. I know some nursing schools now teach such courses.
I must agree with you. People abuse Ephedra. It has truly been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Where the problem has arisen is that Americans tend to not look at herbs as a medicine. So they just grab whatever is on the shelf Ginko, Ephedra, etc. not knowing the side effects or dosages.
I used to go to a Chinese herbalist (also an MD) and he would grind & mix his own blends into teas.
What people may be reacting to in Ephedra products in the US may not be, in fact, Ephedra at all but fillers that are put in with it. Since there is no standardization those fillers could be anything.
Where did you come up with this? Ephedra (Ma Huang) has been used in Oriental Medicine for 4-5,000 years. It has ephedrine and pseudoephedrine and has been used in Oriental Medicine to treat respiratory conditions. Like many meds, it's safe in the right dose.
RNs should be aware of the basics of "Complementary" medicine as there are more visits in this area than to Western medicine. I know some nursing schools now teach such courses.
No disputing it has been used in oriental medicine for thousands of years. What I personally am disputing is that it is unregulated and that consumers not knowing any better, i.e. looking for quick weight loss solution, have been known to have suffer very ill effects of this drug.
And yes, my nursing school does teach complementary medicine....mostly the dangers of quackery and making sure when taking a patient's health history, you must must must try to determine if they are taking other 'complimentary/alternative' drugs that may have dire interactions.
Thankfully, many in the medical community have brought this unregulation and danger to the attention of officials and ephedra has been banned in a few states already. Again, what it needs is regulation, defining the potential dangers of the drug or supplement.
"I think websites such as these are growing in popularity, because the medical system (as we know it) has failed a lot of people. "
And one one of the major failures, IMHO, has been the abysmal communication, or lack thereof, between patients and medical personnel (including nurses).
The bulk of patients have no real understanding of how their bodies work, their health problems, nor of how treatments and medications actually work (which is one reason they so frequently do not take them as instructed). They leave the doc's office or hospital in a confused fog that is chaos and turmoil by the time they get home. Nurses usually do not have the time to really explain things to them in a way they will understand, nor do pharmacists. Follow up at home is rare.
So it is not surprising that information on web sites like that one seem equally as reasonable, believeable, and likely to be true as what little is understood or remembered from the hospital or doc's office. If this "education gap" had been filled by mainstream healthcare, or by our educational system, it would not be such an easy target for others.
Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.
Complimentary/alternative medicine has it's place in the treatment of different diseases and ailments. However, the alternative medicine must be used in conjunction with a medical doctor over seeing treatment. To use complimentary therapy with out a working knowledge of the body and how it works, could prove to be dangerous.
I agree with sjoe, lack of knowledge tends to be the most dangerous problem of all. Unregulated and questionable ingredients can be dangerous and cause ill effects on a person. Combine that with no knowledge on how the body and it's organs work can be an extemely lethal and dangerous venture.
I learned about alternative medicine and complimentary threapy while in nursing school. One of my instructors was a big believer in Healing Touch and auras.........I am an open minded person and I have used chiropractors and herbal remedies but with caution and always after discussing the medical problems with my physician.
Complimentary therapy is very popular these days but in the hands of the wrong people, it's a dangerous trend.
Kyriaka
329 Posts
When it comes to Lyme Disease sometimes patients cant find a Dr. willing to treat them long term (many Lyme Dr.'s do not take health insurance--they were removed as providers a long time ago). Yes, they are desperate.
Kara Tyson
Director
Lyme Disease Support Group of AL