Hopefully this problem will come to an end. It is disturbing that our medical insurance industry continues to sidestep the law and continues to discriminate against patients with mental illnesses. Some companies will cover some conditions with no problems, but for the majority of mental health illnesses, they will drop the coverage as soon as they can and many drop all coverage after a patient is diagnosed with a mental illness.
I am not saying this is the case, but it may go a long ways to explain why doctors are prescribing antidepressants without a diagnosis. I had not considered this when I wrote my blog here. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act passed into law in 2008, but not taking effect until 2010 requires insurance to cover mental health illnesses.
Unfortunately, the guidance from parity regulators has so far not been specific or clear enough, allowing some insurers to hide behind a level of vagueness. Until enforcement of the parity law, and until there is an effective definition of what parity protections there are, it's possible that even under Medicaid insurers are free to delete some of these essential treatment services.
Many in the American Psychiatric Association say that there is too much not spelled out in the law and until the APA and Parity regulators determine a clear definition, some insurance groups will continue to interpret the law to their benefit. Are they right? Yes, as there are legitimate differences of opinion even among the APA and parity regulators that need to be resolved.
Until the federal agencies responsible for regulations of the parity law finalize clear definitions for the scope of services, insurance groups will continue down the path of their choice. At present there is no one that can definitively say that an issue in your health plan is clearly out of compliance, and that another issue may be in compliance. At present there is confusion at all levels.
So at present, the medical insurance companies will continue doing their thing and patients may suffer the consequences. Read the article here. There are some real problems to be resolved.
September 14, 2011
September 13, 2011
Types of Patients – Part 2
I have covered patient, passive patient, and proactive patient in the previous blog. Now I will cover empowered patient, e-patient, and patient advocate.
Empowered patients are those patients that have done extensive learning and are more than a little knowledgeable about the disease or illness they have and often about related diseases. They communicate with other patients and constantly add and upgrade the knowledge they have. They sometimes do controlled experiments from the knowledge they have received and do determine what works for them. They communicate with their doctors and often teach their doctors about their disease. Doctors are generally not intimidated (but not always) by these patients because they communicate freely and have much valuable information.
Read this blog by Trisha Torrey about being an empowered patient. Then learn the eight steps you need to know to be an empowered patient. These are necessary for many, because this separates you from other patients. After reading these, many will think they are part of this patient group. This can be very good, but read carefully.
Some will say that empowered patients and e-patients are the same. I disagree because of some differences. Some follow a different set of eight points that need to be learned, and most e-patients are even more diligent in their learning. While all patients can and do participate in online communities about their disease, it is generally the empowered and e-patients that are able to teach more information to other patients. Read this blog for another eight steps that some participatory e-patients use. Yes, both eight step guides can be used by either an empowered or e-patient.
Now to really set the e-patient apart, go to this link and look at the very top of the page. There are three sections - the center is e-patients.net blog which is where you are. The right section is Journal of Participatory Medicine which is probably new to most of us, but is a valuable resource. While most of the participants are not people with diabetes, much can be learned from them. Now investigate the left section - the Society for Participatory Medicine. This is patient participation beyond anything I have considered previously and I keep learning more.
Now that we have looked at the types of patients, yes, each person can be involved in parts of proactive, empowered, and as an e-patient. The similarities are there, but there are also some important differences in what each patient does and accomplishes. Unless you have desires to become a person of the last patient type, be proud of any accomplishment in being a proactive, empowered, or e-patient.
Patient advocates can be patients, but that is not their purpose. They have taken classes and often passed exams to become qualified as a patient advocate. Most, but not all, have received a diploma or certificate showing that they have been trained and have the knowledge to be an advocate. Most doctors and hospitals will recognize them, but a few do not like the fact that they are now between them and the patient. A few will reject patients that have hired a patient advocate. More states are beginning to realize the necessity of setting up standards.
if you are a person that is going to be unable to communicate because of an operation or increased problems because of an illness or disease, a patient advocate is an excellent person to have one your side. Most are knowledgeable about medical costs and billing, legal and hospital assistance and many other services. This can be especially helpful if you live alone and have no close relatives to give any assistance. Read this blog by Trisha Torrey and if interested follow several of the links to other blogs.
If you have followed all the links, I think you will have learned a lot. This can help you decide at what level you wish to participate as a patient, or if you are comfortable where you are. Hopefully, some of you will see the opportunity to expand your horizons as a patient.
Empowered patients are those patients that have done extensive learning and are more than a little knowledgeable about the disease or illness they have and often about related diseases. They communicate with other patients and constantly add and upgrade the knowledge they have. They sometimes do controlled experiments from the knowledge they have received and do determine what works for them. They communicate with their doctors and often teach their doctors about their disease. Doctors are generally not intimidated (but not always) by these patients because they communicate freely and have much valuable information.
Read this blog by Trisha Torrey about being an empowered patient. Then learn the eight steps you need to know to be an empowered patient. These are necessary for many, because this separates you from other patients. After reading these, many will think they are part of this patient group. This can be very good, but read carefully.
Some will say that empowered patients and e-patients are the same. I disagree because of some differences. Some follow a different set of eight points that need to be learned, and most e-patients are even more diligent in their learning. While all patients can and do participate in online communities about their disease, it is generally the empowered and e-patients that are able to teach more information to other patients. Read this blog for another eight steps that some participatory e-patients use. Yes, both eight step guides can be used by either an empowered or e-patient.
Now to really set the e-patient apart, go to this link and look at the very top of the page. There are three sections - the center is e-patients.net blog which is where you are. The right section is Journal of Participatory Medicine which is probably new to most of us, but is a valuable resource. While most of the participants are not people with diabetes, much can be learned from them. Now investigate the left section - the Society for Participatory Medicine. This is patient participation beyond anything I have considered previously and I keep learning more.
Now that we have looked at the types of patients, yes, each person can be involved in parts of proactive, empowered, and as an e-patient. The similarities are there, but there are also some important differences in what each patient does and accomplishes. Unless you have desires to become a person of the last patient type, be proud of any accomplishment in being a proactive, empowered, or e-patient.
Patient advocates can be patients, but that is not their purpose. They have taken classes and often passed exams to become qualified as a patient advocate. Most, but not all, have received a diploma or certificate showing that they have been trained and have the knowledge to be an advocate. Most doctors and hospitals will recognize them, but a few do not like the fact that they are now between them and the patient. A few will reject patients that have hired a patient advocate. More states are beginning to realize the necessity of setting up standards.
if you are a person that is going to be unable to communicate because of an operation or increased problems because of an illness or disease, a patient advocate is an excellent person to have one your side. Most are knowledgeable about medical costs and billing, legal and hospital assistance and many other services. This can be especially helpful if you live alone and have no close relatives to give any assistance. Read this blog by Trisha Torrey and if interested follow several of the links to other blogs.
If you have followed all the links, I think you will have learned a lot. This can help you decide at what level you wish to participate as a patient, or if you are comfortable where you are. Hopefully, some of you will see the opportunity to expand your horizons as a patient.
September 12, 2011
Types of Patients – Part 1
In my research for another blog, I came across several terms I think need to be discussed. This is not a definitive list, but I think includes the bulk of patient types.
Patient
Passive patient
Proactive patient
Above are covered in this blog
Empowered patient
E-patient
Patient advocate
The last three will be in the next blog
Looks simple enough on the surface, but when compared to each other, I have listed them in order of knowledge and sometimes education. That does not mean necessarily formal schooling as I have seen people without college degrees in each category. Many have more common sense knowledge and life experience knowledge than some medical professionals.
All of us have been patients. Everyone has to have been one at some time in their life, whether as a child or an adult. Another way of viewing patients is covered in my blog here, but I will let you read it later. This blog from May 10, 2011 on patient literacy and who is responsible for improving this shows that many in the medical community are ready for patients to step up. It is a shame that some physicians are taking a pass on what their associations are advocating.
Once you are a patient, then you normally decide what type of patient you want to be. Many people chose to listen and be led by their doctors and office staff and follow these people lock-step. As such they are making themselves passive patients. They seldom ask questions or disagree with what their doctor tells them. They seem to be disinterested in learning more about the disease or illness that brought them to their doctor. If the doctor prescribes a pill or cure that heals them, that is all they are concerned about. If there is not a pill or cure, then they are at a loss and often seek out herbal medicine or quasi-medicine people promising a cure.
Proactive patients are people that attempt to learn all that they can about an illness or disease they have or are suffering from. They educate themselves by what ever method they can. Some utilize their local library, some get access to a medical library, and today, most use the internet to research and learn. Proactive patients attempt to ask knowledgeable questions of their doctors and other healthcare providers. They want to engage the doctors in their care, but may be ignored. These patients then may seek other doctors because they want knowledge and not being patronized or having fear thrown at them.
If they have doctors that answer questions and that talk with them to help them learn, they will try to expand their knowledge and work with this doctor to get the best care possible. Not that this will always be possible because of unforeseen circumstances, but they at least feel they have had the opportunity and are often more satisfied in the outcomes received. These patients are good people, but often overload their doctors with information that they are looking for help in deciphering some of the information.
Proactive patients often look to the next levels for aid and assistance for information they do not understand and to help sort out the relevant and helpful information. Where do I fit in this listing - I am not sure. I am a very proactive patient and am striving to become a more empowered patient, but I don't think I have fully reached this level yet.
I will continue the discussion of the last 3 patient types in part 2.
Patient
Passive patient
Proactive patient
Above are covered in this blog
Empowered patient
E-patient
Patient advocate
The last three will be in the next blog
Looks simple enough on the surface, but when compared to each other, I have listed them in order of knowledge and sometimes education. That does not mean necessarily formal schooling as I have seen people without college degrees in each category. Many have more common sense knowledge and life experience knowledge than some medical professionals.
All of us have been patients. Everyone has to have been one at some time in their life, whether as a child or an adult. Another way of viewing patients is covered in my blog here, but I will let you read it later. This blog from May 10, 2011 on patient literacy and who is responsible for improving this shows that many in the medical community are ready for patients to step up. It is a shame that some physicians are taking a pass on what their associations are advocating.
Once you are a patient, then you normally decide what type of patient you want to be. Many people chose to listen and be led by their doctors and office staff and follow these people lock-step. As such they are making themselves passive patients. They seldom ask questions or disagree with what their doctor tells them. They seem to be disinterested in learning more about the disease or illness that brought them to their doctor. If the doctor prescribes a pill or cure that heals them, that is all they are concerned about. If there is not a pill or cure, then they are at a loss and often seek out herbal medicine or quasi-medicine people promising a cure.
Proactive patients are people that attempt to learn all that they can about an illness or disease they have or are suffering from. They educate themselves by what ever method they can. Some utilize their local library, some get access to a medical library, and today, most use the internet to research and learn. Proactive patients attempt to ask knowledgeable questions of their doctors and other healthcare providers. They want to engage the doctors in their care, but may be ignored. These patients then may seek other doctors because they want knowledge and not being patronized or having fear thrown at them.
If they have doctors that answer questions and that talk with them to help them learn, they will try to expand their knowledge and work with this doctor to get the best care possible. Not that this will always be possible because of unforeseen circumstances, but they at least feel they have had the opportunity and are often more satisfied in the outcomes received. These patients are good people, but often overload their doctors with information that they are looking for help in deciphering some of the information.
Proactive patients often look to the next levels for aid and assistance for information they do not understand and to help sort out the relevant and helpful information. Where do I fit in this listing - I am not sure. I am a very proactive patient and am striving to become a more empowered patient, but I don't think I have fully reached this level yet.
I will continue the discussion of the last 3 patient types in part 2.
September 9, 2011
Buyers of Herbal Medicines – BEWARE! - P4
Then the final piece of the puzzle is governmental actions that make the picture grim for all concerned. And this is also the most puzzling part of the mistake picture. Government legislation is often passed to correct mistakes, but the agencies do not enforce what they have on the books and ignore some of the powers already granted to them. The FDA, USDA, and several other governmental agencies have neglected to due their due diligence in the area of herbal medicines.
The majority of herbal medicines and supplements are classified under the category of food and unless they advertise that it treats a disease or something that it does not, generally they are left alone until AMA decides they want to rattle cages and get the support of a few members of congress that decide to see if there is anything to actually be concerned about. Sometimes there is, but most of the time there is much posturing and nothing more. That is politics.
Occasionally an manufacturer will add something that is not permitted and not added to the list of ingredients, over add an ingredient and not change the percentage, or will get brave and decide to advertise something they should not and then the FDA steps in and does an investigation and often orders a recall, and assesses a fine. The only time FDA orders an herbal medication banned is when it is doing harm and has damaging health effects.
Most of the time everything works like it should and when this happens, the AMA is sure to step in to stir the pot and attempt to get congress to take some action.
While I do not always agree with the attempts by the AMA to shut the herbal manufacturers down and put them out of business, this is part of the checks and balances that have become part of our regulatory system. It just needs to be recognized for what it is.
Another mistake made by government is not testing random samples. The FDA does have this authority, but seldom uses it unless there is evidence of prohibited substances in a product.
Another area which may or may not be a mistake has to do with studies that could be done to determine when and if herbal supplements or medicines have any value for the average consumer and to what limit and at what dosage for different health problems. This could settle many arguments and be helpful to consumers.
The majority of herbal medicines and supplements are classified under the category of food and unless they advertise that it treats a disease or something that it does not, generally they are left alone until AMA decides they want to rattle cages and get the support of a few members of congress that decide to see if there is anything to actually be concerned about. Sometimes there is, but most of the time there is much posturing and nothing more. That is politics.
Occasionally an manufacturer will add something that is not permitted and not added to the list of ingredients, over add an ingredient and not change the percentage, or will get brave and decide to advertise something they should not and then the FDA steps in and does an investigation and often orders a recall, and assesses a fine. The only time FDA orders an herbal medication banned is when it is doing harm and has damaging health effects.
Most of the time everything works like it should and when this happens, the AMA is sure to step in to stir the pot and attempt to get congress to take some action.
While I do not always agree with the attempts by the AMA to shut the herbal manufacturers down and put them out of business, this is part of the checks and balances that have become part of our regulatory system. It just needs to be recognized for what it is.
Another mistake made by government is not testing random samples. The FDA does have this authority, but seldom uses it unless there is evidence of prohibited substances in a product.
Another area which may or may not be a mistake has to do with studies that could be done to determine when and if herbal supplements or medicines have any value for the average consumer and to what limit and at what dosage for different health problems. This could settle many arguments and be helpful to consumers.
September 8, 2011
Buyers of Herbal Medicines – BEWARE! - P3
This blog is about the errors committed by manufacturers of herbal medicines. Unless the manufacturers make major mistakes and get caught in the government web, you seldom hear about their mistakes. Getting caught by the government is often for serious mistakes and making advertising claims that brings them under scrutiny. Or they committed an error that has the American Medical Association up in arms. Some of these mistakes are unintentional and not serious, but the AMA feels it is in their best interest to put them on the hot seat.
Manufacturers make all kinds of stupid mistakes and some could be sabotage caused, greed, or putting ingredients into a supplement and not on the label. The last cause is their most common mistake and often the most serious. They want to have something that will do what it is not supposed to do and generally they get caught.
Herbal manufacturers are a different breed of manufacturers that often are looking for the one item that will make them have something that no one else has thought of and make them rich.
The one mistake that I believe all herbal medicine manufacturers make is not doing due diligence in guaranteeing the consistent formula manufacturing, guaranteeing consistent quality of product, and meeting some of the manufacturing standards they proclaim to follow.
They are constantly under attack by the AMA and a few other groups for the wrong reasons, but they have not consistently raised their manufacturing standards to follow a guide set forth by the Federal Drug Administration called the “Good Manufacturing Practices” standard. Even though many of the herbal manufacturing associations claim they are, consistently it is found that there are rogue manufacturers that violate these standards.
In this article by Jon Barron, he does make some valid points, but you need to get past a lot of rhetoric and almost hysteria to understand what he is saying. His mantra against the AMA is well based and valid, but he needs to leave the rhetoric out to be more convincing.
In the final blog in this series, I will look at the mistakes on the government side.
Manufacturers make all kinds of stupid mistakes and some could be sabotage caused, greed, or putting ingredients into a supplement and not on the label. The last cause is their most common mistake and often the most serious. They want to have something that will do what it is not supposed to do and generally they get caught.
Herbal manufacturers are a different breed of manufacturers that often are looking for the one item that will make them have something that no one else has thought of and make them rich.
The one mistake that I believe all herbal medicine manufacturers make is not doing due diligence in guaranteeing the consistent formula manufacturing, guaranteeing consistent quality of product, and meeting some of the manufacturing standards they proclaim to follow.
They are constantly under attack by the AMA and a few other groups for the wrong reasons, but they have not consistently raised their manufacturing standards to follow a guide set forth by the Federal Drug Administration called the “Good Manufacturing Practices” standard. Even though many of the herbal manufacturing associations claim they are, consistently it is found that there are rogue manufacturers that violate these standards.
In this article by Jon Barron, he does make some valid points, but you need to get past a lot of rhetoric and almost hysteria to understand what he is saying. His mantra against the AMA is well based and valid, but he needs to leave the rhetoric out to be more convincing.
In the final blog in this series, I will look at the mistakes on the government side.
September 7, 2011
Buyers of Herbal Medicines – BEWARE! - P2
In this blog I will pull together some of the errors made by doctors in dealing with herbal medicines. Be aware that the American Medical Association has a public position against herbal medications and supplements and most doctors do follow this position.
This section is not meant as a diatribe against doctors, but to just list some of the reactions I have seen and had people tell me about how their doctors have reacted to their list of herbal medications or supplements. Doctors are aware of herbal medicines and supplements. It is their actions that determine how successful they are in dealing with these.
The first reaction I saw was total disinterest and a comment that I should not be taking any of them. When he got to vitamin D, I was told that I got enough of that from the sun and enriched foods. I was not aware that he had requested a test for this and when he showed me that the reading was 25 and more than enough to stop taking vitamin D, I almost believed him. I was fortunate to have been reading several medical blogs that felt that a reading of 25 was the lowest anyone should have and if they are that low they should be taking vitamin D supplements.
Another doctor just pooh-poohed the necessity of herbal supplements, or minerals and said that if I was eating the right foods they were totally unnecessary. In fact he basically warned me to stop. This reinforces what other people have told me about reactions their doctors have had to herbal medicines and supplements.
This comprises the largest mistake by doctors – totally ignoring or advocating against taking them at all. Most people do take some and many people take a lot of herbal supplements. Doctors need to recognize this if they want cooperation in the future from patients, they should just make note of these and if necessary ask about others that are not listed. Their reactions to patients taking herbal supplements will determine future problems that the patients may face. The patient may need to take precautions since the doctor is not willing consider or discuss anything herbal or berates the patient for using them. In these circumstances, I would suggest locating a different doctor.
One comment I have had from others points out a second mistake by doctors. This is just writing a prescription without reviewing the list or asking the patient if they were taking any of the herbal medicines that would react unfavorably with the prescription. In this case the patient had an excellent pharmacist that did ask and advised the patient correctly to stop taking the herbal supplement while on the prescription and explained what could happen if the patient did not stop.
Another mistake a friend had the doctor make was prescribing a supplement that was about 15 times more expensive than could be purchased over the counter in most stores and pharmacies. Again a pharmacist saved the day. These types of mistakes are commonly made by doctors that do not recognize herbal supplements and medicines.
My next blog will cover mistakes of manufacturers.
This section is not meant as a diatribe against doctors, but to just list some of the reactions I have seen and had people tell me about how their doctors have reacted to their list of herbal medications or supplements. Doctors are aware of herbal medicines and supplements. It is their actions that determine how successful they are in dealing with these.
The first reaction I saw was total disinterest and a comment that I should not be taking any of them. When he got to vitamin D, I was told that I got enough of that from the sun and enriched foods. I was not aware that he had requested a test for this and when he showed me that the reading was 25 and more than enough to stop taking vitamin D, I almost believed him. I was fortunate to have been reading several medical blogs that felt that a reading of 25 was the lowest anyone should have and if they are that low they should be taking vitamin D supplements.
Another doctor just pooh-poohed the necessity of herbal supplements, or minerals and said that if I was eating the right foods they were totally unnecessary. In fact he basically warned me to stop. This reinforces what other people have told me about reactions their doctors have had to herbal medicines and supplements.
This comprises the largest mistake by doctors – totally ignoring or advocating against taking them at all. Most people do take some and many people take a lot of herbal supplements. Doctors need to recognize this if they want cooperation in the future from patients, they should just make note of these and if necessary ask about others that are not listed. Their reactions to patients taking herbal supplements will determine future problems that the patients may face. The patient may need to take precautions since the doctor is not willing consider or discuss anything herbal or berates the patient for using them. In these circumstances, I would suggest locating a different doctor.
One comment I have had from others points out a second mistake by doctors. This is just writing a prescription without reviewing the list or asking the patient if they were taking any of the herbal medicines that would react unfavorably with the prescription. In this case the patient had an excellent pharmacist that did ask and advised the patient correctly to stop taking the herbal supplement while on the prescription and explained what could happen if the patient did not stop.
Another mistake a friend had the doctor make was prescribing a supplement that was about 15 times more expensive than could be purchased over the counter in most stores and pharmacies. Again a pharmacist saved the day. These types of mistakes are commonly made by doctors that do not recognize herbal supplements and medicines.
My next blog will cover mistakes of manufacturers.
September 6, 2011
Buyers of Herbal Medicines – BEWARE! - P1
While I try to respect both sides on the debate about herbal medicines, there are some facts that cannot be escaped and must be discussed to enlighten the general public. Neither side is blameless and public safety still needs to be front and center. Most herbal medicines are in fact fairly safe – on the surface. It is when we get below all the hype and misinformation that we can sometimes see some real causes for concern and even sometimes find real dangers.
Most, but not all of the dangers arise from abuse and overuse of herbal medicines in situations where prescription medications are also taken at the same time as herbal medicines. Who is at fault? There is plenty to go around - physicians, herbal medicine manufacturers, and patients are all at blame. Much depends on the particular circumstances. Then the final piece of the puzzle is governmental actions that make the picture grim for all concerned.
Since I am a patient, I start where I have the most knowledge and experience. Patients as a whole do quite well with most herbal medicines and are not abusing them in most cases. Where most patients go wrong is not having a list of which ones they are taking and sharing this with their doctors. Most feel that since they are herbal and from nature that there is no reason to be concerned and their doctors do not need to know what they use.. This is the first mistake – and a huge one. Some herbal medications do react unfavorably with prescription medications and some can even cause death.
The second mistake some patients make is taking either too large a dose or too small of a dose. Of course, there are instructions on the packaging for the herbal medications, but they can sometimes be misleading as they are for the “average” patient and not necessarily for the patient taking them. This is when the doctor can be a valuable resource to discuss this with and the doctor may be able to do some tests to determine the appropriate dosage. Sometimes this will not be of help, but the patient has more to gain than lose.
The third mistake patients make is not researching the herbal medications they take. For many this involves just reading the paper that comes with the packaging. Then when these papers of instructions are not part of the packaging, patients need to make sure that they ask for information from the sellers, the manufacturers, and not take them until all questions have been answered.
The forth mistake patients are prone to make is not rechecking the information when prescriptions are added to the mix or when herbal treatments are added to the prescription mix. Both can have severe consequences when this is neglected.
The last mistake many patients make do have conflict potential and must be handled diplomatically or not – depending on how the doctor reacts to herbal medicines and supplements. The American Medical Association has an adverse policy to herbal medications and supplements. Some doctors have the same attitude while other doctors respect herbal medicines and the patients' right to use them.
In the next blog I will discuss mistakes by doctors. Please read the following article about some of the many problems patients often ignore and the dangers.
Most, but not all of the dangers arise from abuse and overuse of herbal medicines in situations where prescription medications are also taken at the same time as herbal medicines. Who is at fault? There is plenty to go around - physicians, herbal medicine manufacturers, and patients are all at blame. Much depends on the particular circumstances. Then the final piece of the puzzle is governmental actions that make the picture grim for all concerned.
Since I am a patient, I start where I have the most knowledge and experience. Patients as a whole do quite well with most herbal medicines and are not abusing them in most cases. Where most patients go wrong is not having a list of which ones they are taking and sharing this with their doctors. Most feel that since they are herbal and from nature that there is no reason to be concerned and their doctors do not need to know what they use.. This is the first mistake – and a huge one. Some herbal medications do react unfavorably with prescription medications and some can even cause death.
The second mistake some patients make is taking either too large a dose or too small of a dose. Of course, there are instructions on the packaging for the herbal medications, but they can sometimes be misleading as they are for the “average” patient and not necessarily for the patient taking them. This is when the doctor can be a valuable resource to discuss this with and the doctor may be able to do some tests to determine the appropriate dosage. Sometimes this will not be of help, but the patient has more to gain than lose.
The third mistake patients make is not researching the herbal medications they take. For many this involves just reading the paper that comes with the packaging. Then when these papers of instructions are not part of the packaging, patients need to make sure that they ask for information from the sellers, the manufacturers, and not take them until all questions have been answered.
The forth mistake patients are prone to make is not rechecking the information when prescriptions are added to the mix or when herbal treatments are added to the prescription mix. Both can have severe consequences when this is neglected.
The last mistake many patients make do have conflict potential and must be handled diplomatically or not – depending on how the doctor reacts to herbal medicines and supplements. The American Medical Association has an adverse policy to herbal medications and supplements. Some doctors have the same attitude while other doctors respect herbal medicines and the patients' right to use them.
In the next blog I will discuss mistakes by doctors. Please read the following article about some of the many problems patients often ignore and the dangers.
September 5, 2011
When Will Cardiologists Learn – Eliminate Wheat
I am happy that cardiologists are investigating alternative ways to lower blood pressure, but most are not considering the elimination of modern wheat from their patient's food. The good thing, and a big step in the right direction, is that they are investigating ways to help patients instead of automatically prescribing statins or other medications.
John Bisognano, M.D., PhD, and Kevin Woolf, M.D., a cardiology fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center, conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence behind a wide range of non-prescription drug interventions for the treatment of high blood pressure. The review is featured in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
One of the best statements made is this one – Quote Woolf said” “There is not enough data to recommend any of these alternative options on a routine basis, but on an individual basis he thinks they are useful. Patients have different backgrounds and different approaches to living their lives. This is where the art of medicine comes in; getting to know patients and what they will and will not embrace can help physicians identify different therapies that suit their patients' habits and that will hopefully make a difference for them." Unquote
If only more physicians would see this and do this to help their patients. If physicians got to know their patients and what they will or will not embrace, they just might learn how to become better physicians. While most cardiologists will not listen to the the ideas put forth by cardiologist Dr. William Davis, you should take time to read this blog (link now broken) and search his blogs for more information about high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
Dr. Davis has had some wonderful results in his efforts to reduce these and most revolve around the elimination of modern wheat from our diets. Dr. Davis has many blogs about wheat and what it does to our bodies. His book “Wheat Belly” is an excellent book and you should read an excellent review in this blog by Tom Naughton.
Read this article for the supplements, herbal medicines and other ways reviewed to improve high blood pressure.
John Bisognano, M.D., PhD, and Kevin Woolf, M.D., a cardiology fellow at the University of Rochester Medical Center, conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence behind a wide range of non-prescription drug interventions for the treatment of high blood pressure. The review is featured in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
One of the best statements made is this one – Quote Woolf said” “There is not enough data to recommend any of these alternative options on a routine basis, but on an individual basis he thinks they are useful. Patients have different backgrounds and different approaches to living their lives. This is where the art of medicine comes in; getting to know patients and what they will and will not embrace can help physicians identify different therapies that suit their patients' habits and that will hopefully make a difference for them." Unquote
If only more physicians would see this and do this to help their patients. If physicians got to know their patients and what they will or will not embrace, they just might learn how to become better physicians. While most cardiologists will not listen to the the ideas put forth by cardiologist Dr. William Davis, you should take time to read this blog (link now broken) and search his blogs for more information about high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
Dr. Davis has had some wonderful results in his efforts to reduce these and most revolve around the elimination of modern wheat from our diets. Dr. Davis has many blogs about wheat and what it does to our bodies. His book “Wheat Belly” is an excellent book and you should read an excellent review in this blog by Tom Naughton.
Read this article for the supplements, herbal medicines and other ways reviewed to improve high blood pressure.
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