Today, it’s common for senior citizens and retirees to take 5-10 or more different prescription medicines for various health conditions. One pill for high blood pressure, one for arthritis, one for high cholesterol, one for heart health... the list goes on.
In fact, you might be one of these people who is burdened by endless medications. Perhaps you spend hundreds of dollars per month, or thousands per year on pills that act largely as a band-aid instead of as a true solution to your health ailments.
Well, there’s good news and bad news.
First, the bad news: Drugs have gotten more costly in recent years, according to a March 2012 AARP study. The study says the cost of brand name drugs used by older Americans increased by almost 26% from 2005 to 2009. This rate is nearly double the inflation rate. (I’m sure we’ve all felt the pain in the pocketbook at one time or another.) If this trend continues, “popping pills” will likely get more expensive in the future - potentially threatening seniors who are on fixed incomes and want more money for retirement, not drugs.
Now for the good news. In its natural state, your body is designed to heal itself, and is perfectly capable of doing so as long as you get out of your own way. Many health ailments have a drugless alternative that is often natural and less invasive. So what if you could cut out “the middle man” (the drugs) and just go straight to where you want to be – healthy and happy?
Holistic medicine examines the whole system – not just the parts – in order to get to the root of the issue. Symptoms are critical indicators your body is trying to express. These symptoms are there for a reason – to tell you something important about what your body needs to heal. Once you know the root cause of the problem, you can deal with it. That’s how you achieve true health.
Many pharmaceutical drugs merely mask or hide your symptoms for awhile... until they inevitably return again. (I’m reminded of a persistent dandelion that keeps growing back because it’s cut above the surface and not pulled out by its root.)
Perhaps it’s worth the time and money to get to the real cause of your health problems naturally (the potentially more expensive and dangerous alternative, of course, is to continue taking drugs for the rest of your life). Many of our patients know that drugs, while having their uses, may not be a viable long-term solution due to side effects and cost.
Throughout his lengthy career, Dr. Char has spent a lifetime researching and applying holistic treatments to benefit thousands of patients worldwide. As an ardent supporter of naturopathic medicine and a well known voice of reason in the holistic medical and dental community, he has authored three books and countless articles on the subject of wellness. He is also a nationally recognized authority on alternative and complementary medicine, and has used both successfully throughout his distinguished career. www.drjohnchar.com/blog