Our Failing Medical System

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According to the CDC, about 69,029 Americans died from overdose in 2019. Substance abuse has been sweeping the nation. Although the death toll has been declining over the years, people have been misusing prescription drugs and OTC medicine. People taking pain killers for an injury become addicted. Individuals taking medicine to ease their depression become addicted. Even though doctors are prescribing these drugs to help people, they are actually harming them. However, there is a solution that most Americans are skeptical of. That is alternative medicine.

Lack of Side Effects

Due to its health benefits, alternative medicine is far safer than mainstream medication. In essence, benzodiazepines are highly addictive drugs used to treat anxiety. If one becomes addicted, the neurochemistry in the brain may be altered. On the other hand, lavender is a non-addictive herb that helps with anxiety. Lavender does not change your brain's chemical make up thus making it a healthier alternative. Moreover, alternative medicine gives individuals more freedom in terms of health. Alternatives summon less side effects compared to mainstream drugs. Additionally, some medications may advise you to not mix substances as it may cause harm. According to a survey of 100 people completed by UNC Charlotte, 34% of people who took OTC drugs experienced lethargy. Meanwhile, 4% experienced gas, 5% suffered from headaches, 3% from dizziness and 6% experienced abdominal pain. As an opposition, if you do experience side effects, combining various alternatives can help you combat with them.

Cost Effective

Another main point as to why alternative medicine is a better solution is cost. Nowadays, goods cost a fortune. As a former Walgreens CSA I have heard numerous customers complain about the cost of medication. Quite frankly, I agree with them. Standing there scanning merchandise I am astonished at how much of a hit medications take to one's wallet. I cannot even tell you how many customers have simply stated, "I cannot afford this," and just walked out of the store leaving their much needed medication behind.

To give an instance, my mother took ibuprofen and Tylenol for neck pain. While a bottle of Advil Ibuprofen Pain Reliever costs $20.99 at Walgreens, Tylenol costs $10.49. Because she was complaining about the ineffectiveness of both products, I suggested rosemary oil ($6.99 depending on the brand). Within minutes of massaging rosemary oil on her neck she was pain-free. Not only is alternative medicine more effective, but it is cost-effective as well.

James Gordon

A quote by James Gordon from Jean Carper's Miracle Cures suggests:

"One reason people turn to 'alternative medicine' is that our mainstream medical system is failing. The fact is, we are in the midst of an epidemic of inadequately treated chronic illness. Sixty million Americans have hypertension, 40 million suffer from arthritis, and 23 million of us have migraine headaches. A million Americans each year are being diagnosed with cancer, and close to 40 percent of us will, at one point or another, have this terrifying and often disease.

The prevalence of asthma, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, immune deficiency syndrome, HIV, and a host of other debilitating conditions is increasing. Conventional biomedicine - so strikingly successful in the treatment of overwhelming infections, surgical and medical emergencies, and congenital defects, has been unable to stem the tide of these conditions," (Carper).