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When the Cure is Worse Than the Disease

doctor, medicine, pills, prescription drugsOne way to build an income in private medical practice is to hook patients on drugs that continually require re-examination, testing and prescription renewal. Blood thinners, for example, require prothrombin tests to determine how long it takes the blood to clot. Blood pressure pills require monitoring of blood pressure. And once patients start taking acid-blocking medications, they will find it is nearly impossible to stop taking them -- withdrawal will provoke rebound acidity with throat-gripping pain.

Critical examination of the effectiveness of prescription drugs reveals convincing data that most prescription drugs are not only ineffective but may worsen the condition being treated. Some of these medications appear to be designed to create life-long dependency upon the drug, since drug withdrawal exacerbates symptoms. Even some long-standing drugs that are the hallmarks of modern medicine have begun to lose their biological punch.

The major classes of prescription drugs are failures. Most drugs are never designed to address the underlying biochemical causes of disease -- and they may intentionally be designed to create life-long dependency.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

When people come to my Natural Health Center, it is very common for them to lug in a shopping bag full of drugs, but it almost always starts with just one. One drug that’s supposed to make you feel better, but actually makes you feel worse. Hence the second drug to treat the first drug’s side effects, and on and on until people are turned into walking medicine cabinets.

The number of prescriptions taken per capita in the United States has grown exponentially in the past 75 years. In 1929, the average American received less than two prescriptions per year. By 2007, the average annual prescription rate per capita in the United States was:

• 4 prescriptions per child (age 0-18)
• Over 11 prescriptions per adult (age 19-64)
• Nearly 29 prescriptions per senior, aged 65 and over!

Yet, adverse drug reactions -- from "properly" prescribed drugs -- are actually the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Only heart disease, cancer, and stroke kill more Americans than drugs prescribed by medical doctors.

Reactions to prescription drugs kill more than twice as many Americans as HIV/AIDS or suicide. Fewer die from accidents or diabetes than adverse drug reactions. And this does NOT include the negative drug reactions in outpatients, cases of malpractice, or instances where the drugs were not taken as directed.

Yet, whenever you feel sick, you probably still think that you need to go to your doctor and get some medicine to make you better. Well, this mindset is deeply engrained in us from the time we’re infants and taken to the doctor for a minor cold, or given a pill to bring down a fever (which is actually there to help you get better) or watch a television commercial or read a magazine (at least in the US).

We’re taught that we need doctors and drugs to heal our bodies, when in reality your body can, and will, heal itself if you give it the right tools (like good food, exercise and a positive outlook).

If you take only one thing from this article, make it this point: Drugs often cause more problems than the disease you’re trying to treat.

And the more you attempt to “cure” one problem after another with multiple drugs, the farther down the rabbit hole you’ll go.

The Countless Ways Prescription Drugs Assault Your Body

The article has an eye-opening list of what can happen if you rely on drugs to treat disease:

• Nearly all anti-diabetic drugs cause a person to become overweight and totally dependent upon insulin.
• Asthma drugs sensitize your body to triggers that worsen this condition.
• There is no evidence that cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce mortality rates.
• All cancer chemotherapy drugs result in tumor resistance.

• None of the many drugs prescribed to control high blood pressure address the cause of hypertension.
• Antacid “heartburn” drugs induce greater problems when withdrawing from them, locking patients into lifetime use.
• Of the many drugs used to treat age-related senility, none stop the progression of mental decline and some hasten it.
• To an increasing degree, man-made antibiotics produce germ-resistance and mortality rates are rising from infections once conquered by these drugs.

Are the drug companies creating these drugs with the sole purpose of keeping you sicker, and reaching for more of their dangerous elixirs? I certainly hope not, but I cannot rule out the thought completely. Their track-record is too spot-on: if you take prescription drugs, you’ll almost always wind up with side effects, many of which are worse than the original disease. Here are some other major offenders to add to the list:

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs actually CAUSE heart disease
• Migraine drugs cause severe rebound headaches
• Asthma inhalers may lead to heart attack and stroke
• Arthritis drugs can cause fatal fungal infections and cancer

Sadly, this list could go on and on, but one of the most glaring examples was Vioxx, the anti-inflammatory drug prescribed to millions of people that later was revealed to double the risk of heart attack. Well, 60,000 people were killed before that drug was pulled from the market, and do not think for one minute that there aren’t other similarly harmful drugs being handed out like candy (expensive candy) right now.

Breaking Free From the Prescription Drug Paradigm

I want everyone reading this to remember that, ultimately, it’s your body, and your decision what to put in it. If your doctor suggests you take a drug, do some research before you take it, because once you do, it could be too late.

Make sure you are aware of the potential side effects of the drug, read the package insert, and remember that even if it lists a side effect as rare, it can still happen to you.

And remember that many, many drugs are vastly over-prescribed and unnecessary. So make sure that you make drugs a last option, not a first choice. For example, all of the following conditions can be treated or prevented with LIFESTYLE CHANGES, yet if you go to a typical doctor, you will likely be prescribed a potentially dangerous drug instead:


I realize that it takes a massive shift in thinking to realize that your body can heal itself, and that often drugs only hinder the process. But I believe that you, and society as a whole, are ready for it.


Related Links:



Comment on This Article Community Comments (53)
 
 
Posted On Sep 15, 2008
The author of thie article, Bill Sardi, does a fine job here and I've enjoyed reading some of his work.  The one thing that really makes me cringe and sick to my stomach is his choice of the word "Cure" in the title as it relates to the body of the article...the medical treatment of symptoms with toxic drugs.  The word Treatment would have been a better choice in my opinion.  I have grown to understand how powerful the choice of words are and I have found that too many of my own patients are so confused about what exactly "Cures" the body of illness and disease...everybody is looking for a magic bullet approach adding to the confusion.  I am sure that all of us here on this forum realize by now that NO drug, No surgical procedure, No chemo, and No radiation is ever capable of Curing anything.  Only the Body Cures the Body...when all the interference is removed...take the bad stuff out (allergies, environmental toxins like metals, chemicals, deep hidden chronic infections, etc) while putting the good stuff in (fix all specific nutritional deficiencies) and the Body can and will in fact Cure itself (more accurately it will Reverse itself) from literally Any illness or disease.  When people in general think of a Cure they tend to think of a quick fix or magic bullet to their problems which does not exist.  Healing and repairing the Body according to the Laws of Nature simply does not work this way.  Ex...just today I had a patient referred to me because of the enormous success we have with Multiple Sclerosis which is really is just another name for Heavy Metal Toxicity.  She asked if I had a "cure" for MS.  I told her that there is no such thing but if she was willing to give me a year and a half to specifically target/remove the mercury, aluminum, & lead out of her body, she most likely will say goodbye to the label of MS that she was carrying around all these years

 
NutritionalHealingCenters
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 10/2007
NutritionalHealingCenters  
Replied

DrJon
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
DrJon  
 
Posted On Sep 15, 2008
You make a very valid point Doc!


All Under Heaven
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 2/2008
All Under Heaven  
 
Posted On Sep 15, 2008
The metals occurs naturally in the environment, but I also blame the effects of industrialization for dumping huge amounts of all these toxic metals and chemicals into the air, land, and water.

The FDA doesn't even do any study on metals that are known to be toxic (the thimerosal uproar, and aluminum, for example-known to be neurotoxic and suspected to be linked to Alzheimer's, autism, and a host of other illnesses and neurological disorders). They usually just say it's safe or give it the GRAS (generally regarded as safe) label. And they allow these metals to be used in unsafe levels in vaccines.


KelleyEidem
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2007
KelleyEidem  
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2008

Synthetic drugs don't cure anything...that for sure.

But the right substances that balance the body do cure. I cured myself of Stage 4 cancer 10 years ago. I've recently started sharing my method for free and so far some folks are getting some good early results.

1brightwinger.blogspot.com/.../she-said-my-stabbing-knife-piercing.html

It leads me to believe that curing cancer is easy...just like curing scurvy is easy.

The best to you.

Kelley Eidem



INKY DINKY
Novice User Novice User Joined On 10/2007
INKY DINKY  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

Is there anything that can be done for the pain and treatment of Osteoarthritis?  Are anti-inflammatories part of treatment for this type of arthritis?  Would be greatly appreciated to hear from you...Thank You!



flbooks7
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2008
flbooks7  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

In reply to INKY DINKY.... I have had osteoarthritis for almost 40 years.  If I had known all those years ago what I know now...I would probably be in a lot better shape.  I've had two arthroscopies and taken Viox.  My doc put me on Viox because I was taking 3-6 Ibuprofen every 4 hours for the pain.  Since reading this website and some others that are similar I am in less pain than I have been in for years...sometimes in no pain at all.  I am taking Carlson's cod liver oil, curamin, and when my knee gets swollen..I take Conjugated Linoleic Acid for a week or so.  The Curamin works almost like taking Ibuprofen...pain is gone very quickly.  The Cod liver oil literally feels like it oils the joint.  I wish I had known all this a long time ago because now my knees are bone rubbing on bone and I can't walk like I used to (10 miles a day).  The surgery did little good except that I had a piece broken off that was getting in the way of the joint and making me fall occasionally...they removed that, but within 5 weeks...another piece broke off.



DLARAH
Novice User Novice User Joined On 3/2008
DLARAH  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

If you would research German New Medicine, you would find the cause and the cure of MS. It actually is caused by a profound conflict shock of the psyche, which then initiates a Significant Biological Special program of Nature, causing a partial shut down of parts of the sensory cortex in the brain. Once the perceived conflict is identified, it can be resolved and everything returns to normality, thus a cure. www.germannewmedicine.ca .



Exodus
Novice User Novice User Joined On 7/2008
Exodus  
 
Posted On Oct 05, 2008

What is really sad is that most of us, even though we know that drugs are bad, are forced down the execution chute like animals to slaughter because if we are lucky enough to have health coverage at our jobs, the "poison" is the only thing they will pay for.I think what you are doing by disseminating this information is wonderfull. The problem is that most people in these times just can't afford the nutritional products that are out there but my employer will pay for all the drugs I can shove down my throat.What you need to do is start approaching Corporate America and show them how much money they can save by giving their employees access to information like yours and the option to funnel their health care benefits to a natural approach instead of a "chemical" one.Money talks Doc.We just need someone with the facts to put together a package to take to Corporate.I work for one of the largest Hotel/Gaming companies in Las Vegas.MGM/Mirage...100k employees and growing.We have good benefits with them and they are difinitely into promoting better eating habits and weight loss and exercise but our only health care options are the usual.Conventional medicine and drugs.Just like big pharma wants.My husband is literally dying right before my eyes.I know many of your products would help him but I can't afford them.The money that comes in every month goes out every month yet my company spent upwards of $150k in Dr/Hospital costs on him in 2008 and a dozen scrips he takes every day.I just placed an order for the Pro-Op Whey powder to use as a substitute meal for myself 2 meals a day to help me lose 60lbs before I end up in the same boat at him.That was the most I could spare out of this months budget.GO AFTER CORPORATE AMERICA Doc.That is where the answer is for hundreds of thousands of us who want to live a healthier life but just can't afford to!! Show them how much money they can save if they pay to help us get healthy. Contact Jeff Ellis at MGM/Mirage emp health benefits.



curious7
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 3/2007
curious7  
 
Posted On Oct 06, 2008

Nutritional Healing Centers:

"There is no money in cures," said Big Pharma.



dacyn2
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
dacyn2  
 
Posted On Oct 27, 2008

You make a good point here about the body healing itself through good nutrition etc.  But, there is "one" exception and that is cancer.  It doesn't matter how focused you are on good nutrition, exercise, and clean living habits, you can never kill cancer cells. They surround themselves with a coating that protects them from the immune system so that the body can not identify them as the enemy as it does with bacteria or viruses. So no matter how healthy your immune system is, it won't kill the cancer cells. So, unfortunately the only treatment that can kill the cells, ends up killing the patient in the end.  Sad but true.


 
 
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2008

Dr. Mercola,

I also believed that it was my decision about what was put in my own body.  Not so.  Four years ago, I was told that I was that I was going to get "tests" done at the hospital.  As soon as I was there, they began pumping me full of benzodiazipines.  Although they had my medical history and they knew that I had severe adverse reactions to certain drugs previously, they proceeded to force me to take those and many other drugs.  They came into my hospital room every few minutes to ask me to sign permission papers.  I did not.  Even though I have no memory of this, I was fighting for my life and they broke six teeth out of my mouth forcing me to take those drugs.  I will not detail the pitiful shape that I was in after four days of this "treatment". The list is too long for here to list the symptoms that I was left with, but includes damage to my liver, kidneys, heart, muscle atrophy, internal bleeding and osteoporosis.  I was illegally fired from my job, and forced to get a disability designation.  The insurance company took my retirement and replaced it with a tiny disability.  I'm barred from getting a job outside of home.  Of course this has led to financial ruin.  My life savings is gone.  As far as I've been able to find, there is no one to help with overwhelming legal and financial situations that this has produced.  My medical records are fantasy of the imagination of a sick medical industry.  Again, this was four years ago, and some of these symptoms still exist.

Please, Mr. Mercola, do not give the impression that this is a voluntary situation.  Of course, I could have quit my job before hand, if I only had known the heinous consequences of following instructions.  I just thought those ridiculous commercials were only a slight irritation.  Now I believe that this is serious conflict, between the "trained professionals" fighting for greed and socialism on one hand, and people on the other who are fighting for their very lives.


 
Kathy6789
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 8/2008
Kathy6789  
 
 
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2008

I agree that there is very little that could be called free choice in a hospital. My sister went to the hospital because she had a bacteria in her leg and couldn't walk. An alternative doctor told us this from her testing using kinesiology. I was a bit sceptical, although I have had lots of experience with alternative medicine, and wouldn't use anything else for myself. My sister went to the hospital. They didn't figure out what was wrong with her - bacteria in the leg, known as cellulitis - until her 3rd trip to the hospital. Then it took truck loads of vancomycin dripped into her while she is in the special care unit because she has congestive heart failure. While she is there, some really worthless son-of-a-gun doing business as a doctor starts trying to force her to agree to one of these devices that is put in the heart and shocks it. I did web research and found out there were big recalls on these things. He even acknowledged that she could not possibly have it done while she had an infection. (No problem, they would wait til she was duly marinated in vancomycin.) I don't live in the same city with my sister.They started really putting the screws to her after she was on the regular floor again. They wouldn't let her get out of the bed. They started giving her drugs that made her loopy. I finally received a message on my answering machine. Some kindly soul there made a long distance call from her phone (not supposed to be possible) and left the phone off the hook so I overheard a conversation between two people about what was going on. My sister was rescued by a friend from a nearby town the next day. I mean I literally had to say to them she's leaving - you can "check her out" in the usual way or not, I don't care. But unless you are now the county jail, she's leaving. It was really scary. My sister was tough. She hollared for help. But without outside help, she'd have been a goner. These are bad dudes. They are not misguided or ignorant or too busy - just bad.


 
Codex C
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 7/2008
Codex C  
Replied

AZhiker
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2007
AZhiker  
 
Posted On Nov 23, 2008

One of my grandmothers was killed in the 70s by a hospital. In the late 90s my other grandmother went through what your sister did. It took a 24 hour watch by 3 of her children taking 8 hour shifts to save her. If your parents or children ever end up in the hospital, never leave them alone, no matter the head games they play. At first the hospital will act friendly and caring and like they are working in the patients best interest (that is why you should not be there) then when you push it they will become crazed and show their truly evil side. i've been duped before and want to encourage everyone to be respectful but firm and hold your ground... don't ever leave a relative alone in the hospital!


 
 
 
Posted On Sep 15, 2008
They're not doctors at all. That's why I call them the merchants of sickness and death (I know I said it once). It's their business, what they live on, and what they do.

 
All Under Heaven
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 2/2008
All Under Heaven  
Replied

BeyondOrganic
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
BeyondOrganic  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

"Legal Drug Pushers".


 
 
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2008

People 65 and over take 29 prescriptions? Wha- ?

Just as someone else is drinking my share of soda to keep that national average up...some "senior" out there (I hate that title but it does get me the discounts!) is taking my share of prescription drugs. I take one for thyroid, a lifelong condition, and the other is a bp med. Who's addfing the other 27 to their share? And remember, those figures are AVERAGES, meaning some will be higher. Great balls o' fire! No wonder health care costs are outta control!


 
Islander
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 3/2007
Islander  
Replied

Julieanne
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2007
Julieanne  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

Islander, I'm a bit confused about that. I mean, I only take one medication (for thyroid) but I have to have 2 or 3 prescriptions a year for that - I don't get one for the whole year.

So if you were taking 6 different meds and had to have a prescription filled 3 times a year, that would be 18 prescriptions. Am I making sense? Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds. 29 prescriptions - wow!



Reverend Alan
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 12/2007
Reverend Alan  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

Juliean, is that the way it works?

My former HMO would only allow perscriptions to be filled for 30 days, which means I would need refills 12 times a year. Are each of those 12 refills counted as "a perscription"? If I was on two medications, I would need 24 perscriptions each year?  

I think I read it wrong the first time I read it, and thought 'medications' when I read perscriptions. Silly me.



Jen47
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2007
Jen47  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

Islander, may I ask what your thyroid drug is?  My problem was a nodule in the thyroid, R.side-  (I requested a biopsy and no cancer was found) but I was told the  Synthroid .88 would let my thyroid "rest" and the lump would go away. Two years later it's still  "palpable" (to me) THEY say it's not there but the scan always shows it. (Princess and the pea) I can feel that puppy still there.

Is there ANYTHING "natural" to take instead of Synthroid for this type thing?

Also I take two drops for High Ocular Pressure (no damage to visual fields yet) keeping the pressure under control from age 34, when it was discovered to now at 61.

Someone else it taking my "other" 25 drugs too cause I REFUSE any more every time they're offered-      er, pushed on me.  



Jen47
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2007
Jen47  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

I would say 29 prescriptions MEANS exactly that.  29 different meds.

In 1990 just before my mother died she was on 11 different meds.  I had to keep a nurses chart to be sure I didn't overdose her by mistake.  I brought her to live with me (8 years) (no nursing home for my little mommie) and she had multiple health issues. Three prominent ones were a trache, colostomy and RA.  I had a LOT of work but she cared for me hand and foot before I could do for myself so fair's fair.



Islander
Moderator User Moderator User Joined On 3/2007
Islander  
 
Posted On Oct 04, 2008

First, Jen 47, I think you're right: 29 prescriptions means 29 different drugs. When you run out, you get a refill, or maybe a renewal, but not a new prescription per se.

My hypothyroidism was discovered during my first pregnancy, before doctors understood that this was a common and temporary occurrence. Years later, my body had adjusted to the med and there was no going back. I'm on Levothyroxin, a generic for Synthroid, I think, and it's really no big deal.

As for a natural approach, I've heard of Armour thyroid but know little about it. I prefer to stick with what has worked for me all these years. Maybe someone else can help you on that one. It's a bit complex. Good luck!


 
 
 
 
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