Pharmaceutical Versus Natural Treatments: The Debate Continues

In this article, I will make a few statements, that hopefully point to the fact that there are no perfect answers for many aspects of this debate regarding pharmaceutical treatments versus natural supplements although there is a general guidance we should all know to follow that even common sense points us toward.

Conventional Medicine

Licensed medical practitioners obviously are those called to heal and treat people who have illnesses and to keep them well (preventative medicine). The first line of reasoning is to see a doctor when you need medical treatment for a serious health disorder. Conventional medicine and pharmaceutical drugs have saved lives, extended lives and restored quality of life for many.

Supplements and Remedies

Natural remedies have had very positive healing effects on many people as well, that conventional treatments have failed to accomplish. Some natural supplements are much safer than others and just as with pharmaceuticals, they do not have the same effect either positive or negative, on each individual who takes them. Some people have been known to have severe, adverse effects from taking certain types of herbal remedies and others have actually died as a result of them (i.e. anaphylaxis, substance abuse and misuse).

The Positive and Negative of Pharmaceuticals

The same is true of some pharmaceutical treatments as well. Some SSRI antidepressant labels for example are now required by the FDA to include mention that a small percent of people can develop suicidal and/or violent tendencies when taking these drugs. This is especially true in younger people, who have been observed in controlled studies to experience these reactions to them. Actual cases of suicide have occurred in those prescribed these drugs as well but it is very rare in occurrence. Does this mean SSRI's should be recognized as harmful to younger individuals in general? Absolutely not, in fact some people could not survive without them and the drugs have almost certainly prevented many suicides as well.

The Positive and Negative of Natural Treatments

On the other hand, natural treatments cannot be negatively generalized, sloughed-off or generalized as being harmful either, despite harmful effects being reported by some people who have taken them. These natural substances with healing properties inherent within them, were apparently placed here by God (or nature if you prefer) for the very purpose of healing and keeping humans and other living creatures well. The evolution of some pharmaceutical drugs actually has roots in natural remedies that have been expanded upon over time (i.e. vitamin B12 shots, penicillin from bread mold and bacterial cultures in yogurt).

Online Advocates

In regard to online health treatment information, of both natural and prescribed types; there are simply too many "ins and outs" for one side of the debate, to claim they have the best answers on all aspects regarding which is superior for a given illness or as a preventative health measure. That would be tantamount to saying there is only one correct or perfect political or religious view as well, which is simply not going to happen in the world of reality.

All Fields of Medicine have a Purpose

You can sometimes find in the medical field, certain types of MDs who do not see Osteopath doctors as being as qualified as other types of MDs and others do not recognize naturopath physicians as being legitimate at all. This despite the fact that they can be legally accredited after required studies to practice with a license and in centuries-past, natural remedies were the mainstream treatments available.

The Pros and the Quacks

As far as medical "quacks" go (and I say this respectfully), there are quacks in every imaginable field, including MDs, natural remedy proponents, police officers, ministers, dentists, health article writers, etc... This fact should not cause us to see everyone in light of the potential bad apples that exist in each of their fields. Moderation and oversight should be practiced, in all fields, especially those regarding health care. MDs should continue to be required to answer to medical boards, ministers to the clergy or overseers of their denominations and article writers, to the website administrations they write for.

Keeping Proper Perspective

What's my point in mentioning the keeping of proper perspective in the recognition of medical and natural health practices? First, I feel it doesn't hurt for discussions and online information by both laypersons and medical professionals to continue being provided, with best-possible balance and for perspective-sake. I also feel believe however, that there are not and never will be perfect answers for every aspect of this subject due to the diversity of health problems that exist and the individuality of those who suffer them.

The Answer my Friend

I personally wish there were definitive answers for each and every case of health and healing needs but our uniqueness as individuals, requires searching for answers that are best for each of us, responsibly and cautiously. This is how we make thoughtful decisions, in regard to our health care needs. We simply do the best we can when incorporating intelligently-chosen medical or natural treatments into our regimens.

That, in my opinion, is the simple answer to this long-running debate regarding pharmaceutical versus natural treatments - in a nutshell.