From which traditional methods of "treatment" is better to stay away – Wonderzine
Mysterpressive with useless: 10 arguments, why traditional medicine is dangerous
Attachment to traditional medicine psychologically can understand: A person has a feeling that he does something useful, especially when official drugs (as, for example, for the treatment of a cold) does not exist. Self-treatment is often explained by the habit ("the grandmother did it, and I do a whole life"), and sometimes it really makes you feel better – can work the placebo effect or coincidence. At the same time, the argument "even if it does not help, worse will not do" not very good. Folk medicine in many cases not only ineffective, but also unsafe; We tell how it can harm and the better replace the recommendations of the elderly relatives.
Installing caustic fluids in the nose
Pharmacy drugs from a cold is really not recommended to use often, and for children they are not registered in many countries at all: unwanted effects vary from developing dependence in adults to heavy intoxication in children. Perhaps it is the lack of suitable drugs forces parents to experiment with household means – to dig into the nose of aloe, garlic juices, onions, or, for example, breast milk. But those who consider them a safe natural alternative to "chemical" drops from the pharmacy, it's time to reconsider our views.
Breast milk with injection into the nose will not harm – but will not bring and benefit. Recommendations are usually based on the fact that it contains immunoglobulins, protein molecules that help the body to fight alien elements, including those causing infection. It is true, but in this case it will not be a sense: in the discharge of the nasal mucosa, that is, nozzles, these protective components are much larger. The burning juices of plants are even worse – they are dangerous because they can cause a mucosa burn.
Rubbing alcohol at temperatures
Probably because of the notorious concept that the normal temperature is exclusively 36.6, attempts to reduce it often become fanatical, and the horsepower doses of antipyretic or rubbing with vodka are going into the course. In fact, normal body temperature varies quite widely: when measuring in the armpit, it can range from about 35.5 to 37.2 degrees. Without any disturbing symptoms (for example, in healthy children), it is not worth measuring and at all. Reduce the temperature that is not too high (up to 38-38.5), is also completely optional if it did not affect my well-being. And I try to try to achieve the tenth fraction of degrees with all the truths and untrue.
If still the temperature is high and you need to reduce it, first of all it is necessary to undress and take a cool shower, that is, to physically cool the body.A child can also be doused with a shower or wiped with a damp towel – but it’s better to forget about alcohol-containing products. Firstly, because of the rapid evaporation, they really cool the skin dramatically, which is quite painful. Secondly, alcohol is very quickly absorbed through the skin, and alcohol intoxication can occur, which is extremely dangerous when it comes to a small child. In general, wiping with vodka or alcohol is the perfect way to combine the unpleasant with the useless.
"Inhalations" over potatoes
Dry air causes a lot of inconvenience during colds, irritating the mucous membranes of the nose and throat even more, which is why the recommendation to breathe steam is so often heard. True, it does not bring real benefit in the treatment of steam, but it can really relieve the irritation associated with dryness. At the same time, it is not necessary to bring the idea to the point of absurdity – it is enough to use a humidifier or stay in the bathroom for a while, after opening the tap with hot water for a few minutes. Sitting with a hot pot under the covers can result in respiratory burns; besides, as many of us remember from childhood, this is a rare test of boredom.
Breathing essential oils is also unsafe – they can cause severe allergic reactions. In addition, any products with a pungent odor can provoke a spasm of the larynx or bronchi, especially in children. Given that for inhalation, these oils are poured into a bowl or cup of boiling water, the situation becomes even more dangerous: one careless movement and you can get a serious burn.
Banks on the back
During the 2016 Summer Olympics, spectators around the world looked with surprise at the round spots on the backs of the athletes – and only our compatriots recognized the traces of cans familiar to everyone. The ancient Chinese healing method is indeed gaining popularity among medical practitioners again, and researchers are devoting time to study it. There is evidence of its effectiveness for pain in the muscles, shoulders and neck; however, other reviews have conflicting results, and the quality of studies can often be questioned.
Be that as it may, the action of cans is superficial, and the effect in a healthy person can be compared with the effect of a massage – which, of course, is not bad for professional athletes overloaded with training. The procedure itself has become much safer: soft rubber cans are now used, for suction of which it is enough to squeeze them (glass ones had to be fired from the inside). But it’s completely useless to treat colds or bronchitis with jars – if they work, then practically on the surface of the body.
Hot baths and mustard plasters
Firstly, if you soar your feet in hot water at a temperature, there is every chance not only not to lower this temperature, but also to increase it additionally. Secondly, these painful methods have no scientific justification, so it's better to just forget about them.Again, a basin of hot water, especially if you pour it not from a tap, but from a kettle, is a risk of thermal burns, and mustard (as part of mustard plasters or by itself) can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
Of course, a certain effect of such procedures is quite possible – and theoretically it is logically explained by an irritating or reflexotherapeutic effect. But in practice, all these remedies are ineffective and, moreover, quite risky, and in the acute period of a cold or in the treatment of young children, they are frankly dangerous.
Stimulation of childbirth with castor oil
In the last weeks of pregnancy, it seems that it will never end: the stomach already interferes with normal sleep, many have swollen legs, and I want to meet the baby as soon as possible. Pregnancy is considered full-term, starting from the full 37 weeks, that is, after that the child can be born at any time. When waiting is already completely boring and there is no energy, it is tempting to use natural methods to stimulate labor – from exercise and sex to champagne and castor oil. In fact, the effectiveness of none of these methods has been proven, and the cases when contractions did begin immediately after sex, jogging or raspberry tea are most likely coincidences – after all, the more time passes, the less time remains to be expected.
But if some methods are harmless and help to distract from expectation and relax, then such as taking castor oil or dried fruits in large quantities can be harmful. In fact, these are laxatives that cause a violent bowel reaction; according to studies, this method of labor induction is safe, but not effective. True, some gynecologists believe that the use of laxatives in general can result in excessive excitation of the muscles of the uterus and placental abruption. Even if this does not happen, diarrhea can hardly be called a comfortable state.
Self-administration of "herbs"
When a doctor asks what medications or nutritional supplements you are taking, you need to tell about everything, including herbal teas or decoctions. Although herbal remedies often seem safe, they are far less well-researched than conventional drugs, and therefore their effects can be unpredictable. And if an allergy or other direct reaction to a plant is easy enough to identify, then the body's behavior in response to a combination of herbs with drugs can be quite unexpected.
For example, ordinary St. John's wort can reduce the blood concentration (and hence effectiveness) of oral contraceptives, enhance all the effects of some antidepressants, including toxic ones, or increase sensitivity to the sun and the risk of sunburn. With the introduction of toxic drugs, such as chemotherapy, it is extremely important not to allow any self-treatment, including "herbs" – it can nullify the effectiveness of therapy or enhance its effect, harming the body.
Duffery and mud treatment
Refusal to ventilating an apartment in which someone is cut is the best way to make patients all others. We will not be tired of repeating that the reasons for ARVI and influenza are viruses to which bacteria can join in complications, but with a draft or walk without a hat, these diseases are not connected. Moreover, it is in a stuffing room that the virus is much larger – and it is because of the failure to open the windows we often become in winter.
The same applies to the myth of the dangers of water procedures at a cold: wet hair does not lead to meningitis, and a cool shower at high temperatures not only does not harm, but also contributes to its decrease. Duchot and dirt will not help to recover faster, but well-being worsen noticeably.
"Cleaning" liver and other detox
Mythical slags and toxins do not give rest to many, and for the "cleansing" of the body goes and monodi with superfids, and more cruel methods like coffee enema. It is often serious to intervene in the work of the body are trying to those who faced the need to surgery: I don't want to go to the surgical table, and now the person is looking for in Google, as "independently remove the stones from the gallbladder." We have already told that such "cleaning" can end in deplorable – and risks will be much larger than with the original planned operation.
Attempts to fight parasites, which, as sometimes you have to hear, "have each", also at best are meaningless – sold for the prevention of anthelmintic miracles, like folk remedies, ineffective in this matter. If we are talking about real pharmacy anti-parasitic invasions, then for their application there must be an appropriate diagnosis of "just in case" these toxic means should not be taken.
Warding after childbirth
The desire for the maximum naturalness of all processes associated with pregnancy and childbirth is dangerous in itself – it leads, for example, to refuse to receive drugs or treat teeth during pregnancy, and even to the decision to give birth at home. In order to physically and psychological recovery after the birth of a child, the so-called swaddling is sometimes practiced. It is a wrapping ritual for the mother, who, according to Dul and midwives, copes with many tasks: from "putting in place" of the bones of the pelvis to the prevention of postpartum depression and the expression "gratitude to yourself."
Perhaps such a procedure really works for someone as psychotherapy, and also helps to relax or distract from the first child care. Scientists are inclined to the fact that such rituals are psychologically important primarily for those who grew up in a traditional environment, but as a result of migration, it turned out to be far from her. Nevertheless, in publications with descriptions of rituals (for example, Turkish, Vietnamese or African) there is a definition "potentially dangerous".In the period when the body only comes to itself after sharp changes, it is better to avoid serious impacts like a bath and manual therapy – instead worth walking and go to a pedicure.