Medicine Health

In a recent study made by a group of medical practitioners in health clinics in the United States, it was noted that there is a higher rate of herb usage by the new Hispanic immigrants than those US-born Hispanics. This could be attributed to the fact that those who come from rural areas are deeply rooted by their traditional beliefs and values than those born in the U.S. who are far more adaptable and communicable.

The survey was conducted in order to determine whether these Hispanics inform their physicians about their herb use; or are the doctors aware of this usage. It was found out that 70% of patients did not disclose their use of herbal medicines and only 15% indicated that they would inform their doctors about it. Please take note, however, that this study may not actually show the real sentiments of the respondents. There are some limiting factors to consider when this study conducted, such as the venue of the survey which were held in health clinics only, the inability of the respondents to answer all parts of the questionnaire, and the fear that they will not be supported by their physicians should they found out about their usage of herbal medicines.

One of the reasons why patients chose not to tell their doctors about their herb use because they feel that the physician show disinterest or respond to it negatively. They also believe that the physician will find it irrelevant to the medication they will be treated into. The respondents fear that they will be ridiculed about it, so they would rather not tell them of their herb use.

Some respondents believe most prescribed medications would be more effective in treating their illnesses if they combine them with herbal medicines. They consider it more advantageous if they communicate with their doctors about the usage and acceptance.

In order to make this study a relevant undertaking, it is therefore recommended that doctors must learn to understand the expanse of herbal medicine usages by their patients and try to get specific knowledge from them. It is important for them to encourage their patients to be more open about their herb use.

On the other hand, pharmacists should join hand in hand with the doctors and patients alike in striving to properly assess the herbal medicines and conduct a study of its effects on the patients' medication along with the prescribed medicines. It is more beneficial for everyone "to be aware of known potential herb-drug interactions to adequately treat patients." Any hostile effects of the herbal medicines on the patients must be reported immediately to the Food and Drug Administration Medwatch system.

All doctors and medical care practitioners should be bear in mind that it is their obligation to get information on herbal use of their patients. This is best done during preliminary consultation with their patients and in so doing, both will be more educated about the safe and effective use of herbal medicines.

For centuries the term revolution meant a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system. It also means a dramatic and far-reaching change. We have seen revolutions become great milestones for great systems. Take our own Revolutionary War. Now we are seeing another revolution being carried out in our health care system.

The pharmaceutical companies are inundating the airwaves with commercials extolling the benefits and the side affects of their form of health care. Most Americans seem to succumb to these advertisements. We have become a nation of pilloholics. The pursuit of health and happiness has become taking the most recent drug to give you brief relief from your symptoms. These pills can also stop your natural ability to ward off disease. Most of these medications stop your body from reacting to a pathogen, stimulus or even emotions. By stopping your body from reacting they can keep you from dealing with the cause of your disease.

Western medicine has gone down the path of treating symptoms and not the whole person. Which means as long as the cause of your symptom is not addressed you will continue to have symptoms. How many people are taking multiple medications chasing one symptom after another? Western medicine offers medications for almost any symptom. These medications often have side affects which are worse than the original symptom. Some of these medicines mask the underlying problem. The problem then continues to fester underneath the anesthesia of the drug.

We hear volumes about western medicine but only short stories about healing alternatives. There are many factors which explain why we hear less about Oriental Medicine, but the one that stands out is the fact, that this medicine refrains from advertising on such a large scale. Oriental medicine information is disseminated mostly by word of mouth.

Oriental philosophy believes you need to take an active role in your health. This means it is often not a quick fix. You are treated as a complete person so it can take time. Some things can be dealt with quickly but more complex issues can take a long time.

Acupuncture as a modality has been gaining in recognition here in the states over the past 40 years. Quietly but surely the medicine has been gaining acceptance because of the changes it has made for millions of people. Healthy changes. These healthy changes can take time. It requires a natural healing time which depends on your state of health.

You can heal if given the right stimulation and nurturing. This stimulation and nurturing can be created using many techniques. However, all of these techniques require that you change some lifestyle pattern.

The key here is that you change something in your life. The pharmaceutical companies recognize that most americans are not seeking health but looking for a quick fix or a quick relief of pain. The fact is that you get better by changing whatever it is that is making you ill.

Oriental Medicine practitioners offer an alternative to most prescription medications. We also have a different approach to you the patient. You are important. Your health is important to us. Teaching you methods and nutrition planning help you to become more aware of how to take care of yourself. We are not interested in simply treating your symptoms so you can become dependent on our services. We are not interested in you becoming dependent on our herbs so you have to take them for the remainder of your life. We are interested in teaching you how to have a better life by learning how you can do things to stay healthy.

The question is, what is healthy? We are complex in our nature. Our minds govern our body. Our body allows us to move through our environment. We have needs to understand why we are. This leads us to a spiritual consciousness. So we are spirit, mind and body.

This means in order to achieve maximum health. We have to address all three of these areas. We can pray but it is not enough. We can exercise but it is not enough. We can eat healthy but it is not enough. We can even have mental therapy but it is not enough.

Look around. How many of the people you know are trying to escape from their lives? How do they escape? People look for pain relief in many forms. Drinking alcohol, working all the time, investing all of their time in their children, taking care of others all the time, watching tv all the time, playing video games all the time or anything that takes them away from dealing with their life issues.

Holistic healing is about being aware of what is making you ill. This means your emotional state, your physical state and how you cope with your life. Western medicine has developed fantastic techniques for saving lives. Western medicine can do so many wonderful things but they do not have the time it takes to help you solve your issues. Oriental medicine takes time to do just that.

The Quiet Revolution is the revolution which can change our health care system. The combination of the two approaches to healing would springboard our humanity forward.

The loud thunder of the pharmaceutical companies and the fortunes that they have made overwhelms the quiet voice of passion raised by those of us who are not interested in profits at any cost. We alternative practitioners still want to relate to you as an individual. The desire is too create a healthier population, not only physically but mentally as well. We all benefit from healing our wounds. Masking over them is not the answer. Avoiding looking at them is not the answer. Healing them is.