Re: For Kathie: Alternative vs conventional

[Guest guest]

thanks, this was really informative and clearly laid out.....to all

that wondered about how to defend me, and present our case to the non-

believers in my e-ring, it is like this one, invitation

only....however, i'd like to cut/paste some of what was said, but

would not do that without an okay from rogene, and those who wrote so

supportively.......once again, i cannot imagine my life wihout this

group!

blessings to one and all.....

kathie

>

>

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/21/alternative_conventional.htm

Alternative Vs. Conventional: Why Don't Doctors Get It By

Dr. ph Mercola

> with Laina Krisik

> If you live in the United States and need medical care or

treatment for a disease you can follow one of two paths to better

health--conventional or alternative. In making this decision it is

important to know the differences between the two practices.

> A Comparison of Conventional to Alternative Medicine

> Conventional (Disease-based Model)

>

> Offers the best medicine in surgeries or trauma care

>

> Treatment of immune health-related conditions routinely

consists of prescribing drugs or recommending medical procedures,

which are often invasive

>

> Targets treating symptoms, not the underlying causes

>

> Treats the human body in parts, not as a whole

>

> Medical schools are set up by organ specific departments that

don't share any kind of relationship with one another

>

> The shaping of conventional medical doctors is based upon

using " rescue medicine, " not finding treatment and prevention

alternatives for illnesses

>

> Alternative Medicine (Prevention-based Model)

>

> Approaches medical treatment by placing its focus primarily on

proactive measures

>

> Treats the condition, not the symptoms

>

> More cost effective

>

> Treatment targets the whole body

>

> The growing number of people turning to alternative therapies is

growing stronger and is becoming more and more the chosen form of

medical treatment among Americans.

> Just consider these statistics:

>

> One out of every three Americans uses some kind of alternative

medicine

>

> Between 1990 and 1997 there was a 47 percent increase in

visits to alternative practitioners, from 427 million to 629 million,

bypassing the estimated total number of visits made to all

conventional primary care doctors in 1997

>

> As these statistics reveal the rapidly increasing number of

people choosing alternative therapies as a form of treatment, the

debated question among the health care industry is, " Why don't more

conventional doctors recommend alternative medicine? "

> Pharmaceutical Ties

> The driving force behind the continuing growth of conventional

medicine has been the pharmaceutical industry, embraced by both

doctors and pharmacists, who calculate their worth through treating

disease by prescribing medications. For example, if a patient is

diagnosed with breast cancer, the protocol for the doctor is to

prescribe tamoxifen. If a patient is diagnosed with schizophrenia,

clozaril is prescribed.

> Medical Schools Receive Funding From Drug Companies

> Most medical schools receive a huge chunk of funding from the

pharmaceutical industry that has a vested interest in marketing their

medicines. Evidence of this could be seen in Pfizer Inc, a company

that develops produces and markets the leading prescription

medications for humans and offers several scholarships and grants to

American Medical Schools.

> The Mass Media Favors Drug Advertising

> Just as pharmaceutical companies are all about making profits, so

is the mass media and this is clearly exposed in the high numbers of

drug commercials consumers are exposed to every day. Drug ads equal

profits for the media.

> The number of mass media commercials has exploded over the past

few years. In 1999, drug companies spent $1.8 billion on direct-to-

consumer advertisements for prescription drugs. Even more disturbing,

it was discovered that around 10 percent of the people who watched

the commercials inquired to their doctor about the specific drugs.

> Even the American Medical Association maintains a relationship

with the pharmaceutical industry. If you go to their homepage you

will find a sizable advertisement for the statin, Crestor.

> Research Discrepancies

> The scale for funding of medical research is disproportionately

tipped to favor conventional medicine over alternative medicine. An

example of this could be seen in the 0.08 percent of the British

National Health Service research budget set aside for alternative

research. Also, out of $12 billion allocated every year by Congress

to the National Institutes of Health, a mere $5.4 million goes to the

Office of Alternative Medicine to investigate the claims of

approximately 50 therapies.

> The lack of alternative medicine research funding results in

three critical consequences:

>

> The prevention of relevant research projects

>

> It negatively affects the creation of a research

infrastructure similar to the one of conventional medicine

>

> Deters well-trained career scientists from entering into the

field

>

> Questionable Research

> One of the biggest complaints the conventional medical industry

has against alternative medicine is the lack of scientific research

to support their practices.

> Ironically, much of the research on conventional medicine has

raised many speculations over validity issues. An example of this is

the hundreds of articles published in top medical journals claimed to

be written by academic researchers that are actually written by

ghostwriters working for agencies, which receive large amounts of

money from pharmaceutical companies to market their products. These

are the very journals medical professionals rely on when determining

treatment options.

> Over 60 percent of clinical studies that involve human

participants get financial backing from drug companies, not from the

federal government. Studies also show that it is often common for

companies to hold off on the publication of data that reveal their

drugs are ineffective.

> The conventional medical model is fatally flawed and is largely

profit-driven by the pharmaceutical industry that influences the

media through drug advertisements. Evidence that the American public

is becoming discouraged with conventional medicine has become obvious

in the growing numbers turning to alternative treatments for answers.

> On the other hand, convincing doctors and the media the value of

alternative medicine might be a long way off considering their tight

ties with drug companies. Profit-hungry drug companies won't be

making the shift to change the attitude of conventional doctors any

time soon. There is too much money at stake for them to lose. That

leaves it up to us to take control over our own health and make the

changes.

>

> ---------------------------------

> Related Articles:

> Drug Companies Spend Two Billion to Advertise Directly to

Consumers

> Increased Spending on Drugs is Linked to More Advertising

> Even Doctors Have No Faith in Conventional Medicine

> Death by Medicine

> The Frightening Road Ahead for Prescription Drugs and the

Implications for 'Real' Alternative Health

> Drug Industry Using Senior Group Fronts to Promote Own Agenda

>

> ---------------------------------

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, &

more on new and used cars.

>

[Guest guest]

Kathie,

As owner and founder of this group, you have my okay on sharing

anything that has been posted in our group with your email ring.

Patty

> >

> >

>

http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/21/alternative_conventional.htm

> Alternative Vs. Conventional: Why Don't Doctors Get It

By

> Dr. ph Mercola

> > with Laina Krisik

> > If you live in the United States and need medical care or

> treatment for a disease you can follow one of two paths to better

> health--conventional or alternative. In making this decision it is

> important to know the differences between the two practices.

> > A Comparison of Conventional to Alternative Medicine

> > Conventional (Disease-based Model)

> >

> > Offers the best medicine in surgeries or trauma care

> >

> > Treatment of immune health-related conditions routinely

> consists of prescribing drugs or recommending medical procedures,

> which are often invasive

> >

> > Targets treating symptoms, not the underlying causes

> >

> > Treats the human body in parts, not as a whole

> >

> > Medical schools are set up by organ specific departments

that

> don't share any kind of relationship with one another

> >

> > The shaping of conventional medical doctors is based upon

> using " rescue medicine, " not finding treatment and prevention

> alternatives for illnesses

> >

> > Alternative Medicine (Prevention-based Model)

> >

> > Approaches medical treatment by placing its focus primarily

on

> proactive measures

> >

> > Treats the condition, not the symptoms

> >

> > More cost effective

> >

> > Treatment targets the whole body

> >

> > The growing number of people turning to alternative therapies

is

> growing stronger and is becoming more and more the chosen form of

> medical treatment among Americans.

> > Just consider these statistics:

> >

> > One out of every three Americans uses some kind of

alternative

> medicine

> >

> > Between 1990 and 1997 there was a 47 percent increase in

> visits to alternative practitioners, from 427 million to 629

million,

> bypassing the estimated total number of visits made to all

> conventional primary care doctors in 1997

> >

> > As these statistics reveal the rapidly increasing number of

> people choosing alternative therapies as a form of treatment, the

> debated question among the health care industry is, " Why don't

more

> conventional doctors recommend alternative medicine? "

> > Pharmaceutical Ties

> > The driving force behind the continuing growth of conventional

> medicine has been the pharmaceutical industry, embraced by both

> doctors and pharmacists, who calculate their worth through

treating

> disease by prescribing medications. For example, if a patient is

> diagnosed with breast cancer, the protocol for the doctor is to

> prescribe tamoxifen. If a patient is diagnosed with schizophrenia,

> clozaril is prescribed.

> > Medical Schools Receive Funding From Drug Companies

> > Most medical schools receive a huge chunk of funding from the

> pharmaceutical industry that has a vested interest in marketing

their

> medicines. Evidence of this could be seen in Pfizer Inc, a company

> that develops produces and markets the leading prescription

> medications for humans and offers several scholarships and grants

to

> American Medical Schools.

> > The Mass Media Favors Drug Advertising

> > Just as pharmaceutical companies are all about making profits,

so

> is the mass media and this is clearly exposed in the high numbers

of

> drug commercials consumers are exposed to every day. Drug ads

equal

> profits for the media.

> > The number of mass media commercials has exploded over the

past

> few years. In 1999, drug companies spent $1.8 billion on direct-to-

> consumer advertisements for prescription drugs. Even more

disturbing,

> it was discovered that around 10 percent of the people who watched

> the commercials inquired to their doctor about the specific drugs.

> > Even the American Medical Association maintains a relationship

> with the pharmaceutical industry. If you go to their homepage you

> will find a sizable advertisement for the statin, Crestor.

> > Research Discrepancies

> > The scale for funding of medical research is

disproportionately

> tipped to favor conventional medicine over alternative medicine.

An

> example of this could be seen in the 0.08 percent of the British

> National Health Service research budget set aside for alternative

> research. Also, out of $12 billion allocated every year by

Congress

> to the National Institutes of Health, a mere $5.4 million goes to

the

> Office of Alternative Medicine to investigate the claims of

> approximately 50 therapies.

> > The lack of alternative medicine research funding results in

> three critical consequences:

> >

> > The prevention of relevant research projects

> >

> > It negatively affects the creation of a research

> infrastructure similar to the one of conventional medicine

> >

> > Deters well-trained career scientists from entering into

the

> field

> >

> > Questionable Research

> > One of the biggest complaints the conventional medical

industry

> has against alternative medicine is the lack of scientific

research

> to support their practices.

> > Ironically, much of the research on conventional medicine has

> raised many speculations over validity issues. An example of this

is

> the hundreds of articles published in top medical journals claimed

to

> be written by academic researchers that are actually written by

> ghostwriters working for agencies, which receive large amounts of

> money from pharmaceutical companies to market their products.

These

> are the very journals medical professionals rely on when

determining

> treatment options.

> > Over 60 percent of clinical studies that involve human

> participants get financial backing from drug companies, not from

the

> federal government. Studies also show that it is often common for

> companies to hold off on the publication of data that reveal their

> drugs are ineffective.

> > The conventional medical model is fatally flawed and is

largely

> profit-driven by the pharmaceutical industry that influences the

> media through drug advertisements. Evidence that the American

public

> is becoming discouraged with conventional medicine has become

obvious

> in the growing numbers turning to alternative treatments for

answers.

> > On the other hand, convincing doctors and the media the value

of

> alternative medicine might be a long way off considering their

tight

> ties with drug companies. Profit-hungry drug companies won't be

> making the shift to change the attitude of conventional doctors

any

> time soon. There is too much money at stake for them to lose. That

> leaves it up to us to take control over our own health and make

the

> changes.

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Related Articles:

> > Drug Companies Spend Two Billion to Advertise Directly to

> Consumers

> > Increased Spending on Drugs is Linked to More Advertising

> > Even Doctors Have No Faith in Conventional Medicine

> > Death by Medicine

> > The Frightening Road Ahead for Prescription Drugs and the

> Implications for 'Real' Alternative Health

> > Drug Industry Using Senior Group Fronts to Promote Own Agenda

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, &

> more on new and used cars.

> >

>