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- Smeared with honey: how traditional methods change the clinical picture of the disease
Smeared with honey: how traditional methods change the clinical picture of the disease
At first glance, harmless traditional medicine practices can provoke the spread of bacterial infection throughout the body, cause severe allergies or a heart attack. The main danger lies not in the funds themselves, but in the loss of precious time, because serious ailments can hide under the mask of mild malaise. Which folk methods of treatment are better to abandon and why — in the material of Izvestia.
Sound grain and dangerous misconceptions
Traditional medicine is based on centuries of experience that developed when people had not yet used medicines and diagnostic measures, Denis Prokofiev, a general practitioner, cardiologist, and holder of the status of "Moscow Doctor", reminds Izvestia readers. It combines a large number of techniques — from phytotherapy and hirudotherapy to the use of various products in order to obtain a therapeutic effect.
— The development of medicine has been gradual. When most people did not have the opportunity to use diagnostic methods and chemical components of medicines, traditional medicine books were published, which described the techniques used in various diseases. And word of mouth, treatment regimens were passed down using anything but medications — some of it helped, some of it didn't," says the specialist.
In most cases, the methods that did not have an evidence-based scientific basis were based on the placebo effect, he clarifies. The healers relied mainly on visual manifestations of a positive result from their use, but it was impossible to understand whether the disease had "left" the body or was "stuck" in it.
Many aspects of traditional medicine have formed the basis of evidence-based medicine, the doctor admits, so it has a certain semantic load and a sound grain, but nevertheless, it cannot replace official treatment.
"The biggest difference between them is that evidence—based medicine is based on scientific research, has clinical recommendations, and checks the safety and efficacy of any drug used in treatment regimens," the specialist points out.
According to him, folk methods are used without taking into account possible risks, including the occurrence of allergic reactions. Classical medicine adopts some approaches, but they are scientifically proven and applied according to the principle of "do no harm."
— When it comes to the use of herbs, there is a detailed description of the plants, their therapeutic effect, there are warnings about the use in certain dosages. This technique really works and is used as an aid in classical medicine — antibacterial therapy is combined with the use of breast collection or urological, depending on the disease, explains Dr. Prokofiev.
He considers this supplement to be an indicator of the balance between classical and traditional medicine, which increases the effectiveness of treatment. But if you rely only on herbs, there is a risk of seriously triggering the disease.
— We must admit that there are no universal and fully effective methods of traditional medicine, — the expert warns. — On the contrary, the most dangerous methods are those that are widely used and considered proven.
Why can't you breathe over potatoes
Denis Prokofiev emphasizes that mustard plasters, which are popular among the people, are not a medicinal product within the framework of official medicine. Modern doctors are very skeptical about this remedy.
— The mechanism of action of mustard plasters is based on the local irritating and warming effect, but with bacterial infections it is an extremely dangerous technique, — warns the doctor. — The favorite method of adherents of traditional medicine is also dangerous — hot steam inhalation, what is popularly called "breathing over potatoes." Such procedures can lead to burns of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.
At the same time, the expert considers rubbing with alcohol to be one of the most dangerous methods.
"This is unacceptable because alcohol is absorbed into the skin, causing intoxication," the specialist warns. — As a rule, children are rubbed to bring down the temperature. As a result, the child inhales ethyl alcohol vapors, and alcohol also penetrates through the skin, which can lead to poisoning.
Another prohibited technique is the use of baths as a treatment for latent bacterial infections, which can only be distinguished from other problems by a diagnostician.
— Often, when a person is unwell, they are sent to the bathhouse, unaware that they have pneumonia, bronchitis or cystitis. The patient is soared with brooms, as a result, a latent bacterial infection spreads throughout the body. There is an increase in blood flow, which also leads to an increase in heart rate, creating a huge risk for a heart attack," Prokofiev points out.
The interlocutor of Izvestia advises people to rely on common sense and medical care. Even if a technique based on the experience of traditional medicine is justified in combination with medical diagnosis and thoughtful treatment, it does not make sense to use it independently. The consequences of its use without control can be extremely dangerous. For example, honey treatment is not so harmless.
"Everyone knows that an immunostimulating bee product can be used for colds to boost immunity, but they forget that honey is one of the strongest allergens," says a general practitioner. — And with a large amount, allergic sensitization occurs, up to Quincke's edema. Against the background of such "treatment", a fatal outcome may occur.
Treatment of diseases should be started on time
The biggest problem of traditional medicine, from the point of view of Denis Prokofiev, however, is not that people believe in the healing properties of foods and eat them as antimicrobial (onion) or antibacterial (garlic) remedies instead of pills. The more dangerous thing is that a person does not go to the doctor and the disease is not diagnosed in a timely manner.
"The patient may misinterpret the pathology and, using traditional medicine methods, miss something really dangerous — pneumonia, oncology, heart attack or stroke," warns the doctor.
The Izvestia expert recalls that all modern medicine, whether cardiology or therapy, is aimed not only at treating the disease, but also at preserving the so-called target organs, that is, those parts of the body that primarily suffer during the pathological process.
"We do not treat the symptoms, we influence the course of the disease itself and the entire pathogenetic chain of causes of its development, which is impossible with traditional medicine," the specialist explains. — Therefore, the main risk lies precisely in the fact that precious time is lost without timely diagnosis.
When a patient finally abandons traditional medicine and turns to professionals, it is often simply impossible to help him — the disease is started, and the target organs are actually destroyed.
— The stages of severe diseases — oncology, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension — are much more complicated than it might seem, and have no reversible course. Therefore, the biggest risk is a fascination with folk methods, which leads to a loss of time to provide proper qualified care," the general practitioner emphasizes.
He calls for an immediate diagnosis and an effective treatment regimen.
— If a person is an ardent fan of traditional medicine, they can use it for no more than 72 hours. And if there is no positive dynamics within three days, you should immediately consult a doctor," Prokofiev points out.
Why do people believe in traditional medicine
When people place special hopes on informal medicine, we are talking about the remnants of magical thinking, says psychiatrist and psychotherapist Alexei Vilkov.
"Ancient man believed in something supernatural, otherworldly, in particular, that powerful external forces influenced health, fate and well—being," he explains. — This archaism is still evident today, if people, instead of going to the doctor, pin their hopes on magic potions and non-traditional remedies.
The search for methods that will help to heal quickly and painlessly only makes the situation worse. The psychiatrist, paying attention to this point, agrees with his colleague Prokofiev.
— If a person relies on non-traditional methods of treatment, this causes irreparable harm to health, because the underlying disease is not treated, and the severity of the condition increases. When the patient finally reaches the doctors, it can be impossible to help him," the psychiatrist confirms.
The task of relatives is to convince a relative not to delay time and, if necessary, take him to a doctor, Vilkov emphasizes.
It happens, however, that a person postpones seeking qualified medical help because he is afraid to find out the truth or confirm his fears. In this case, the psychiatrist recommends that you think about the importance of finding out objective information as soon as possible.
"The sooner the doctor makes the correct diagnosis, the sooner the correct treatment will be prescribed and recovery will occur," the source concludes.
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