July, 2004

A nationwide government survey of more than 31,000 Americans by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that more than a third of adults in this country-36%-are now using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

To emphasize how quickly general attitudes can change it is instructive to point out that collected information in 2002 indicates that only 2% of the interviewees mentioned the Atkins diet. Of course we would expect this statistic to change if the same information was gathered just 2 years later.

This shows how quickly our perceptions can change. In response to rapid changes in public perception this survey will be performed every five years. Areas or therapy that came up in the survey included prayer, natural products, deep-breathing exercises, meditation, chiropractic, yoga, massage and diet-based therapies. One concerning fact that came up during the interviews was the degree of self-prescribing and/or self-medicating. Doctors involved with the study expressed concerns over the readiness of consumers to take supplements and herbs without consulting a trained professional. This is a situation that can lead to possible interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medications that consumers may be taking as well.

Although many of us feel that the utilization of more natural and alternative therapies is a good thing, we need to realize that the notion that if a therapy is "natural" it is safe, is problematic. Many supplements and herbs can have pharmaceutical-like effects that need to be respected and understood.

A few years ago there was concerns about liver problems that developed with the use of the herb kava kava. In some of those cases there was concern that the liver disease was from the interactions of other drugs or alcohol with kava kava. Although this should not be seen as a reason to abandon herbal therapy, which can be a wonderful treatment option, it does point out the need for education and the need to have a trained natural health care provider to guide the way. Also it becomes vital for people to let their family physicians know of all CAM treatments and modalities they are utilizing.

CAM is here to stay and will continue to be of vital importance to many people's lives and health. Properly utilized with proper guidance and working with a family doctor who is open minded and supportive of your health care choices will help ensure the best of both worlds.