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5 Myths and Facts About Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is an area cloaked in a certain level of mystery. And since it is not the method of medical care typically used in the United States, people tend to see it as weird and New Agey.

Some forms of alternative medicine are more common than others, and many methods are growing in popularity. Perhaps this is due to the state of health care in the U.S., or maybe the Internet has helped. Regardless of the reason, more and more people are turning to alternative medicine for everything from miracle cures to maintaining their everyday wellbeing.

Myth #1 Alternative medicine is for kooks and quacks. Fact. Alternative medicine is a valid method of health care and maintenance. It is "alternative" because it includes medical practices that are not usually used in conventional medicine. This simply means that alternative medicine is not the norm. Vitamins and herbal supplements are a form of alternative medicine, and over one-third of all Americans take some sort of vitamins, according to a study done by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences in 2005.

Myth #2 Alternative medicine is totally separate from conventional medicine. Fact. Some conventional medical techniques and treatments have their roots in alternative medicine. Additionally, it is quite common for alternative medicine to be used in conjunction with conventional medicine. This is known as CAM, which stands for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Basically, it means that you use regular medicine Ð especially in emergency situations Ð but also turn to alternative medicine to enhance or improve the treatments used with conventional medicine.

Myth #3 Natural always means safe. Fact. Just because something is natural does not mean it is always safe for human use or consumption. There are many things in nature that are poisonous. If you are inclined to use natural remedies for treatment of illnesses or health maintenance, get educated about what you are putting into your body. And don't just take someone's word for it either, because they might just be trying to sell you something. This is true for regulated pharmaceuticals prescribed by a medical doctor as well. Do the research and find out as much as you can about any medical treatments you are undergoing.

Myth #4 Alternative medicines are not regulated by the federal government. Fact. The FDA does not regulate the alternative medicine industry, so natural and herbal remedies are usually not subject to the same testing as mainstream drugs and pharmaceutical products. This could result in varying levels of strength in some herbal supplements. This is why it is vital to be informed about the companies and medicines you are taking. And again, this holds true for conventional medicine too. Just because a prescription drug has been tested does not necessarily mean it is safe for everyone. Besides, the pharmaceutical companies are almost always the money behind the testing, and they stand to earn mega bucks when a drug is approved for use.

Myth #5 Alternative medicine doesn't work. Fact. In many cases, alternative medicine has been shown to be effective. This is especially true for some chronic illnesses, such as sinus problems, digestive issues or migraine headaches. Alternative medicine focuses on long-term health and promotes overall wellbeing as the path to a healthy life. This holds true in conventional medicine as well. Preventative care can go a long way to keep you healthy into old age.

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