Everyone lives in a society where modern medicine dominates the health industry. For pills, there are effects. Some are wonderful; the remission of an illness. Some are debilitating; higher risk of cardiac failure or death. Patients seem intent on looking for a solution. It may be in a form that is unfamiliar.
For those living with particular kinds of illnesses, pharmaceutical medication may be influencing other ills. Lithium presents thyroid issues. High intensity painkillers sparked an epidemic. Even over the counter medicine like Tylenol causes liver deterioration if taken too much, too soon.
Take a look at one industry that treats millions of people each year.
- Millions of people have been diagnosed with mental illness.
- The number of people on pharmaceutical medication rounds out at 20% of the U.S. population.
- Anxiety is the most common. It affects 40 million adults in the United States age 18 or older. This amounts to 18% of the U.S. population.
There is few who doubt the veracity of mental health treatment. Proper therapy and medication results in the highest achievement value for patients. Some may feel that medication is a needed part of their treatment. It’s for them to decide.
However, there is a growing amount of people who believe that the side effects of medication are too much. Those side effects can include:
- Lethargy
- Disordered thinking
- Life-threatening rashes
- Weight gain
- Changes in mood
- Irritability
- And many others
Some believe there’s another solution. It is not a cure for chronic ailments. But it can blunt the every day struggle with the illnesses. They are:
Natural Treatment Methods
You’ve certainly been by the vitamin section in your Walgreens or Rite-Aid. There’s vitamin next to vitamin. Vitamin B. Vitamin D. Potassium. Vitamin K. Supplements for Vitamin C. All down the list and down the line as well.
Then others pop out. There’s St. John’s Wort. There’s probiotics. There’s melatonin. Some may wonder what these are–what were they developed, and what illness do they combat? The truth: They are natural remedies, with a focus on energy and healing.
They are natural treatment for depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep issues.
Statistics:
- The number of U.S. adults who have a sleep or wakefulness disorder: 50 to 70 million.
- Deaths caused by digestive issues: nearly 250,000 in 2009.
- Number of migraine sufferers that experience at least one attack per month: 54%
- Number of migraine sufferers that experience at least one attack per week: 13%
There is a turn-off with the buzzwords: holistic treatment. Natural remedies. Life balance. Energy pathways. Eastern philosophies and practice.
Did you know, however, that:
- St. John’s wort is prescribed for depression in Germany
- Probiotics have been studied for their reduction of digestive problems
- Melatonin noted for those that have sleep disorders
- Supplements like NAC have been known to reduce mental health symptoms
Scientific versus natural. Targeted treatment versus holistic. Close to false dichotomies. Both have a shared goal in reducing disease, promoting a better quality of life, and living in homeostasis.
Natural treatment can result in a stronger outlook on disease, a more full understanding of the factors that contribute to disease. Pharmacological treatment targets specific issues.
Maybe a balance is needed.
