Mar 31, 2009

questionable advice

I know that my friends are well meaning and have nothing but my best interest at heart. However, I have been a little surprised lately by some of the suggestions I've received from them about my health.

Here are some recent ailments that I have been advised of:
  • Adrenal Fatigue - although my levels are well within normal, I am told that "western" medicine lab tests are not sensitive enough to pick up on this ailment. The treatment? Lots of rest and bovine adrenal supplements. Is it just me or does this sound like a really bad idea?
  • Candida (yeast overgrowth) - I am the first to admit that a yeast infection is nasty, nasty, nasty! I am totally behind a good anti-fungal treatment when warranted. But the idea that candida is growing throughout my body, raging through my innards just doesn't resonate with me. Unless one's immune system is severely compromised, I think we can tick this one off the chart.
  • Wheat Allergy - despite having been tested for celiac (twice), there are still friends of mine insisting that I must have a wheat allergy. This one isn't totally off-the-wall, there are real cases of wheat allergies, but living a wheat-free lifestyle is hard work. At least it doesn't involve eating cow glands, so I suppose this one is at least a possibility.
I will be the first to admit that modern "Western" medicine doesn't have all the answers. It is tempting sometimes to want another perspective, another option on the table.

I suppose I just like to stick to things that I can research in peer-reviewed journals. Am I being too closed-minded?


3 comments:

  1. I get this a lot, too. People are really quick to diagnose each other, aren't they. In some of my instances, it's been almost comical.

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  2. Not extensively peer reviewed, but you could think about acupuncture, maybe. It might be expensive, but it tends to work well if you believe it might. Some patients really like it.

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  3. I have to laugh at this - my mother saw a feature on "The Doctors" last week about acupuncture for headaches and has been calling me every day since to ask if I've gone for an appointment!

    Sounds like it's worth a try. I'll let you know how it goes.

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