Today, many people are using health care approaches that are not considered to typically be part of conventional medical care. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), these products and practices fall into three categories:
The NCCIH, which is one of the 27 National Institutes of Health, reports that about half of older adults in the U.S. use these health practices, which include these approaches:
With the popularity of complementary medicine, more scientific research is underway to determine whether certain practices are beneficial. Studies show that some are not demonstrably effective, though people might benefit because they enjoy the experience. Others, such as the following, have been proven by research to be beneficial:
However, the alternative medicine field is largely unregulated. Consumers are encouraged to be well-informed when making decisions about practices and products. Many supplements and unlicensed devices may be harmless, though useless. They may have no more effect than to drain your wallet. Others can be dangerous to your health, possibly containing toxic ingredients. And sometimes, alternative medical practices can clash with conventional medical treatment.
Experts caution older patients that to avoid adverse health effects, they should discuss these practices and products with their doctor. For example, some herbal supplements may interact with prescription drugs, making a prescription drug less effective, or causing an overdose. Some hands-on body practices or exercises could be dangerous for people with certain health conditions.
Yet the NCCIH reports that many older patients fail to discuss alternative and complementary practices with their doctor. Perhaps their doctor didn’t ask, or they felt rushed at their appointment, or they just didn’t think it was relevant to share the information. Studies show that some older patients keep quiet about alternative therapies because they fear their doctor will judge them. But your doctor is trained to be able to evaluate the value of a practice—why not take advantage of their expertise?
The NCCIH offers these tips to for your next doctor appointment: