We are still reeling from the shocking news that King Charles has cancer, and like everyone else, the medical community is wishing him well during his treatment.
But he frowns on the possibility that, alongside good conventional clinical treatment, people might choose to augment it with homeopathic remedies.
Dr. Michael Dixon, head of the Royal Medical Household, is an advocate of alternative medicine and is well known as a pro-homeopathic doctor. And, reflecting his interest in the field, during his time as Prince Charles he became patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy, his 175-year-old organization that promotes the development of alternative therapies and provides training and qualifications. became.
His appointment shocked the medical establishment, which considered it anti-science.
Sorry, I agree with you. I have no doubt that homeopathy is complete nonsense. It relies on a completely ridiculous theory and has absolutely no evidence to support it.
Enthusiast: Prince Charles supports homeopathy
But I have serious concerns about this from a scientific point of view, but as a psychiatrist, if I believe that something is helping someone, especially if they are undergoing cancer treatment. In that case, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
Of course, this is quite different from shunning conventional treatment for alternative medicine. It’s dangerous and reckless. But use alternative therapies in addition to that? Why not? I’m always surprised when doctors seem so against it.
My particular problem with homeopathy is that its central premise is to treat symptoms with highly diluted preparations that are claimed to cause effects similar to the patient’s symptoms, and then allow the body to restore the symptoms. It means giving them an opportunity to do so. However, homeopathic remedies are usually very diluted and therefore do not contain pharmacologically active molecules.
Homeopathy is no longer available on the NHS. This comes as critics say precious resources should not be wasted on treatments without evidence of effectiveness.
But here’s the twist. Research shows that homeopathy can be effective for some people.
This may be because the placebo effect (improvement of symptoms after taking just a sugar pill) is active in about 30 percent of people.
What this means is that almost one in three people benefit in some way.
Although many scientists deny the placebo effect, I have always been in awe of it. The fact that your symptoms improve simply by believing that they will improve is evidence of the amazing power of the mind.
Homeopathic practitioners may believe that homeopathy works in a different way, but whether it is due to genuine pharmacological effects or the power of the mind is what really matters. Shall we?
Why can’t doctors take advantage of this for their patients?
I do think it’s a shame that homeopathic treatments are no longer available on the NHS. Every doctor has what we call a “heart sink” patient, a patient who, despite all possible efforts, seems hopeless to be helped.
Dr Max Pemberton (pictured) said: ‘Homeopathy is no longer available on the NHS as critics say precious resources should not be wasted on treatments without evidence of effectiveness. Stated.
They often suffer from multiple vague health problems that conventional medicine cannot alleviate.
In my experience, these patients often do very well with homeopathy.
Their physical complaints may be a sign of psychological distress, and the very act of sitting with a homeopath, having their problems heard and seen holistically, helps these patients.
There is an argument that psychotherapy should be offered instead, but talk therapy is not suitable for everyone.
Some people are quick to shut down in front of a therapist who is expected to solve their problems.
Numerous studies have shown that everyone from cancer patients to chronic pain patients benefit from a positive mental outlook.
They report less pain and discomfort and require less medication.
However, it is important to understand this in context. Many studies have shown that having a positive attitude does not actually affect the final outcome, but may be helpful to the treatment experience. Treating cancer can be difficult and scary.
Of course, we can’t and shouldn’t know what kind of treatment he’s receiving, but we know that the King wants to supplement conventional medicine with homeopathy, and that homeopathy can help. If we believe, who are we to criticize?
A study last week found that people in indigenous and small communities live content lives despite little material wealth. This finding is strong evidence that we don’t need economic growth to be happy. For most people, the source of satisfaction was their relationships with others.
airport weighing is cruel
Finnair has started weighing customers, including carry-on baggage, at Helsinki Airport, sparking controversy.
Although the plan is voluntary, it has sparked a backlash from people who say it is “fat shaming”.
I understand that it is unfair that someone who is several kilograms over the baggage allowance has to pay excess baggage fees, but someone who weighs twice as much doesn’t have to pay extra. But let’s approach this with a little compassion.
Finnair sparks controversy as it begins weighing customers, including carry-on baggage, at Helsinki Airport
There are legitimate concerns that this could be rolled out by other airlines and perhaps become a condition of travel rather than optional anymore.
The danger is that it becomes humiliating. Consider the psychological impact this can have. Can you imagine being obese or overweight and standing on the scale in the check-in line with everyone watching and judging you? Just awful.
A longitudinal study of Finnish people aged 50 to 70 tracked the use of antidepressants after a relationship break-up, divorce, or bereavement.
Antidepressant use increased in both men and women in the run-up to and immediately after each event, but women used more than men.
Due to the aging population, “gray divorce” among people over the age of 50 is increasing in high-income countries.
Some argue that a Finnish study showed that women struggle more after divorce than men. I disagree.
In fact, we know that older men have the highest suicide rate, with divorce being a key factor. We believe that the higher rates of antidepressant use among women indicate that women are more likely than men to seek medical care for emotional problems.
Dr. Max prescribes…
Disovitamin disc
I love this comforting strip of flavor that melts on your tongue. Useful if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. There are a variety of vitamins and supplements, one to give you energy, one to help you sleep.
My favorite is the Hapitum probiotic strip that I take before breakfast. Probiotics improve the gut microbiome and promote physical and mental health.go to mydiso.com.
Diso Vitamin Discs contain a variety of vitamins and supplements, one to give you energy and one to help you sleep.
