UTILIZATION OF COMPLEMENTARY
AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)
July, 2004
A nationwide government survey of more than
31,000 Americans by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services indicates that more
than a third of adults in this country-36%-are
now using complementary and alternative medicine
(CAM).
To emphasize how quickly general attitudes
can change it is instructive to point out that
collected information in 2002 indicates that
only 2% of the interviewees mentioned the Atkins
diet. Of course we would expect this statistic
to change if the same information was gathered
just 2 years later.
This shows how quickly
our perceptions can change. In response to
rapid changes in public perception this survey
will be performed every five years.
Areas or therapy that came up in the survey
included prayer, natural products, deep-breathing
exercises, meditation, chiropractic, yoga,
massage and diet-based therapies. One concerning
fact that came up during the interviews was
the degree of self-prescribing and/or self-medicating.
Doctors involved with the study expressed concerns
over the readiness of consumers to take supplements
and herbs without consulting a trained professional.
This is a situation that can lead to possible
interactions with prescription and over-the-counter
medications that consumers may be taking as
well.
Although many of us feel that the utilization
of more natural and alternative therapies is
a good thing, we need to realize that the notion
that if a therapy is "natural" it
is safe, is problematic. Many supplements and
herbs can have pharmaceutical-like effects
that need to be respected and understood.
A
few years ago there was concerns about liver
problems that developed with the use of the
herb kava kava. In some of those cases there
was concern that the liver disease was from
the interactions of other drugs or alcohol
with kava kava. Although this should not
be seen as a reason to abandon herbal therapy,
which can be a wonderful treatment option,
it does point out the need for education
and the need to have a trained natural health
care provider to guide the way. Also it becomes
vital for people to let their family physicians
know of all CAM treatments and modalities
they are utilizing.
CAM is here to stay and
will continue to be of vital importance to
many people's lives and health. Properly
utilized with proper guidance and working with
a family doctor who is open minded and supportive
of your health care choices will help ensure
the best of both worlds.
Click
here to obtain a copy of the survey results.
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