Negative effects of alternative medicine
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Kidney Damage and Nephrotoxicity from Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine can cause serious kidney problems, including electrolyte imbalances, protein in the urine, acute and chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and even death. These risks are higher in places without access to intensive care or dialysis. The causes include direct toxicity from the remedies, contamination or adulteration, improper use or preparation, and interactions with other medications. People with pre-existing conditions like dehydration are at even greater risk. Many patients do not report their use of alternative medicine to doctors, making it harder to track and prevent these negative effects .
Delayed Medical Treatment and Worse Outcomes
Using alternative medicine can delay patients from seeking proven medical treatments, especially in serious conditions like cancer. For example, breast cancer patients in Bangladesh who first used alternative medicine experienced significant delays in getting proper medical care, which can worsen outcomes. The longer patients used alternative medicine, the longer the delay in seeking effective treatment .
Negative Impact on Cancer Survival
Research shows that cancer patients who use alternative medicine may have a higher risk of death compared to those who do not. In a study from Norway, cancer patients using alternative medicine had a higher death rate, and the negative effect was strongest in patients who were otherwise in good health. This suggests that relying on alternative medicine instead of proven treatments can reduce survival chances .
Psychosocial Distress and Lower Quality of Life
Women with early-stage breast cancer who started using alternative medicine after surgery reported more depression, fear of cancer returning, lower mental health, less sexual satisfaction, and more physical symptoms compared to those who did not use alternative medicine. This group also had a worse quality of life in the months following surgery, although all groups improved after a year .
Toxicity and Safety Concerns
Many alternative therapies, especially herbal remedies, can be toxic. Some herbs have caused deaths, such as Herba ephedra and pennyroyal. The belief that "natural" means "safe" is not true—natural substances can be harmful or even deadly. There is also a risk of indirect harm if alternative medicine delays proven treatments. Some alternative therapies, like certain herbal preparations, high-dose vitamins, radical diets, and intravenous substances, carry significant risks. Even therapies considered low-risk can be dangerous if they replace effective medical care 61.
Limited Satisfaction and Unmet Expectations
Patients who use alternative medicine often do not expect rapid cures, especially for chronic conditions. Satisfaction with alternative treatments is generally limited, and users tend to visit doctors more often, suggesting that alternative medicine does not always meet their health needs. Some people turn to alternative medicine due to negative experiences with modern medicine, such as concerns about too much technology or side effects from long-term drug use .
Broader Negative Health Phenomena
Some researchers suggest that the continued use of alternative medicine may contribute to negative health trends that conventional medicine cannot address, especially in the context of broader societal health crises .
Conclusion
Alternative medicine can have serious negative effects, including kidney damage, delayed treatment, worse survival in cancer, psychosocial distress, and direct toxicity. The risks are often underestimated due to the belief that natural remedies are safe. Patients and healthcare providers should communicate openly about alternative medicine use to ensure safety and timely access to effective treatments 1245673.
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