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About Complementary TreatmentsIn general, complementary or alternative treatments provide slower and more gentle solutions with fewer side effects. They can be used singly, in combination with other alternatives, or in combination with more traditional treatments. Sometimes the theories and information conflict with each other. They can also be detrimental. The same questions and cautions should be used in their selection as in any other treatment being considered. See the results from our survey of "Non-traditional treatments in ITP". ITP provides one benefit that make it easier to manage than some other diseases. The platelet count and the symptoms let one know fairly soon whether something is harmful or beneficial. If only one treatment is added at a time it is easier to tell which ones are working for you and which ones are not. According to the Wall Street Journal, spending on alternative medicine has surged 69% since 1989. Nationwide, healthcare consumers spend nearly 27 billion dollars a year for medical treatments rarely offered by a family doctor per the NIH. Of these, 1.5 billion is for herbal remedies. Many hospitals are now offering alternative treatments including those associated with such prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Columbia University, The National Institute Of Health Office of Alternative Medicine (888-644-6226) is funding a number of studies to confirm the efficacy of some treatments. Their budget has grown from 2 million in 1992 to 100 million for 2001. According to their latest statistics one third of Americans now use alternative treatments. 83% used these in combination with conventional medicine. In certain rural populations and in Europe the statistics reach 70%. There are move visits to alternative practitioners than primary care physicians. Some people with chronic ITP have used successfully used alternatives therapies to raise their platelets. See the stories section of the site to read more about these. Related SitesHealthWorld explanations of all types of alternative care University of Pittsburgh Alternative Medicine Homepage |
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