Personal Training

In a medically-advanced society, pharmaceutical drugs are common choices for the treatment of different health problems. After all, they are prescribed and recommended by medical professionals, which is why many people believe they can actually prove to be effective. However, while they may actually cure you from a specific illness, it is inevitable that they can also be damaging to your health. Worse, some are even reported to be a precursor of other serious health problems, which can be harder to treat.

Annually, there are millions of visits in hospitals reported to be because of an adverse reaction from pharmaceutical medicine. This is quite alarming, and has given some people sufficient reason to stop its use and instead resort into alternative natural medicine, which is asserted to be safe while also being able to be effective. In the rest of this article, you will know how pharmaceutical medicines are actually doing your health harm and not just the good often marketed by those manufacturing them.

1. They contain toxic chemicals. This is perhaps one of the most significant reasons to avoid pharmaceutical drugs. While this is not a general statement, more often than not, you are ignorant about what ingredients are used in a specific drug, which renders it impossible to determine if they have a certain level of toxicity or none. Of course, the manufacturers of the medicine will try as much to promote only how they are beneficial for your health and will try to conceal the hidden truth, including the toxicity of the ingredients they are using. These toxic chemicals, at worst, can lead into death. In more common cases, they lead into allergic reactions, such as other illnesses. While they are made for the purpose of treating a specific disease, there is always no assurance that they will not lead into another disease totally different from what it promises to cure.

2. They can promote addiction. The pharmaceutical drugs given by doctors are meant to be taken only for a short period of time, specifically what has been specified. The problem, however, is that some people are developing a tendency to be dependent on it, and hence, develop an addition towards the drug. They find it hard to live without taking it, even if its prolonged intake can be dangerous to one’s health. This is most common in the case of medicines used for the treatment of pain, insomnia, and depression, among others. There are instances wherein it can be as addictive as an illegal drug.

3. They are often misuse. The misuse of pharmaceutical drugs is a serious problem and anyone who misused such may end up in the emergency room. Once a prescription has been written, the doctor has no control on who uses it. Sometimes, it can be given by the patient to other people who are suffering the same condition as theirs, even in the absence of proper diagnosis. A group of friends might even share the same medicine even if it is not prescribed specifically for one of them. With its misuse, its danger to your health will be more serious.

4. They pose a serious danger of overdose. When you have a supply of pharmaceutical drugs in your house, you often forget about when and how to take them. There are instances wherein you might be taking them more than what you have been instructed by your doctor, and hence, making overdose a possibility. While some people may have higher tolerance for over dosage, this is affected by one’s age, the nature of the drug, and the person’s general health condition, among others. There are cases wherein it can lead into death, damaging other organs, or even minor health problems others chose to ignore.

5. They are rarely tested. The FDA, the agency that regulates the medicines in the market, will test a specific drug on the basis of what it is meant to be used for. However, while when a certain drug has been approved, the agency does not test the dangers that can be posed by taking two different drugs at a time. Sadly, most patients do not just take a single medicine for the treatment of their condition. Some even combine prescription drugs with over-the-counter drugs without knowing how their interaction could be a danger in ways more than one.

To be more beautiful – this is perhaps the dream of many people today. Beauty, although subjective by nature, is undeniably largely based on how one physically looks like, or at least, that is the norm in our society. Because of this, anyone who does not feel to be within the current standards of beauty loses self-confidence. Fortunately, the modern technology has led into the introduction of revolutionary beauty products. These products are promising in terms of giving you softer hair with fuller volume, glowing skin that defies the signs of aging, and having healthier nails, among others.

However, with the introduction of different cosmetic products in the market, many have also been alarmed, specifically with regards to deteriorating quality and the use of ingredients that may be unsafe for one’s health. With this, there is a growing advocacy towards the use of natural and homemade cosmetics. If you have not yet considered the use of the latter, continue reading the rest of this article and you will have sufficient reasons to switch to these natural beauty products.

1. They do not use toxic ingredients. Most of the cosmetics you can buy commercially are made with the use of different chemicals, many of them can prove to be toxic. Although they can prove to be effective, their chemicals can lead into an adverse reaction, which can make the products bad for your skin. Some of the most common chemicals used in cosmetics are parabens and phthalates. They also contain a variety of petrochemicals. Although many studies have proven the toxicity of their ingredients, they are still continuously used. The worst part is that most manufacturers try to lure their customers by hiding the true ingredients they are using. The ignorance of the customers can even be more problematic, as some people just use beauty products without being aware of whether or not they contain toxic chemicals.

2. They are good for all skin types. In line with the toxicity of the ingredients used in some cosmetics, they can undeniably cause side effects on the skin, such as redness, swelling, and other allergic reactions. In fact, some products advertised to be ideal for the treatment of acne can even cause more breakout, especially if it is not well-received by your skin. In the case of natural cosmetics, this should never be a problem because they use gentle ingredients that are perfect for all skin types. Regardless of your age, you can use natural products without having to be worried about side effects. Even if you have oily skin, using natural cosmetics will work and will not worsen your problem, unlike in the case of highly commercialized products.

3. They are cheap. Some natural cosmetics can be cheaper than those made with the use of synthetic ingredients. The reason on why they are affordable is the fact that they use materials readily available, even from the garden. The best thing is that you can make them on your own. With effort and time to research, you will know how you can use some items available in your house or garden for different cosmetic products. If you love them, you can even start a business by selling them and advocating the use of chemical-free cosmetics.

4. They are eco-friendly. With every product you use, it is important to think about their impact to the environment. Therefore, you have another good reason to use natural products. Aside from the fact that they are not tested on animals, they are also made without using ingredients that can cause damage to the environment, especially when they are not disposed properly. Most of the cosmetics sold in the market make use of aluminum, which is one of the culprits for the destruction of South American forest, which is why you should avoid them as much as possible.

5. They are rich in nutrients. Aside from the fact that they are good even for sensitive skin, natural cosmetics are also recommended because they are rich with a wide array of nutrients, which will be needed by the body. They often make use of nutritious oils, which are asserted to be effective in terms of nourishing the skin and preventing the appearance of the visible signs of aging.

Are you suffering from a headache, cold, flu, fever, cough, body pain, arthritis, acne, and other health problems? Well, do not fret as you are no alone with such a predicament. There are many people who might be having the same fate as you, making them unproductive as well to function at work or with the things they do in their everyday life. In such instances, what is it that you first think about? I am pretty sure many would say having a visit to the doctor or using over-the-counter drugs and other commercially available remedies to treat your condition. While these things may indeed prove to be effective, the problem is that they can have significant side effects and may indeed worsen your situation rather than having it resolved.

This brings us to the importance of natural home remedies. If you go online and research about homemade treatments for arthritis, for instance, you will be surprised with the alternatives presented. Some of them may seem to be out-of-this-world ideas. Unless you give them a try, you will never know if they are going to work or not. In the next parts of this article, you will know about some of the most viable reasons on why you should opt for natural home-made remedies instead of using pharmaceutical and commercial products.

1. You are basically being in charge with what to take. If you have high level of cholesterol, there are drugs you might be prescribed by your doctor in order to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body and increase the good cholesterol. However, you do not know what are the ingredients used in these products, unless you perform an in-depth research about it. With natural remedies, on the other hand, such as modifying your diet for improving cholesterol, you are basically in charge. You can choose what you will take and you can let go what you think is bad for your health. You are being empowered to decide how your own condition can possibly be treated.

2. There will be no tendency to develop addiction or dependence. For people who are finding it hard to sleep at night, there are medications available. Nonetheless, these drugs are notoriously known for being addictive and you might be dependent on them. Once you decide to quit, you will suffer from various withdrawal symptoms and your problem may just worsen. Addiction with sleep-inducing drugs can have significant negative effects on your health, such as in the case of liver damage. However, when you decide to choose natural cure, such as drinking chamomile tea, you will never be addicted with it, while at the same time, being able to enjoy its effectiveness.

3. Natural and homemade remedies are cheap. This is perhaps one of the most attractive things about considering alternative medicine. For instance, if you have body pain, you do not need to take expensive pain relievers. A simple cold or hot compress may help to alleviate the pain. You will not even have to spend anything in order to enjoy its effectiveness. In a time wherein medicines are being more expensive, you definitely have a good reason to go for natural.

4. These treatment options are eco-friendly. Many of the medicines you can find in the marketplace have been tested on animals and contain ingredients that may be toxic not only for you, but for the environment as well. With natural treatments, on the other hand, you can use ingredients that are sustainable for the environment. This is going to demonstrate your concern towards preserving the environment while enjoying an effective cure. They are also naturally sourced from materials that you can easily replace by simply planting them, such as in your garden.

5. They are milder. A wrong dosage of a prescription drug can be harmful for your body and can lead into side effects. With natural treatments, side effects are very rare. They treat your condition in a milder manner. Because of using fresh and unspoiled materials, they are gentler in the treatment of whatever health condition you are suffering from. No strong components or toxic chemicals are used, giving you the confidence on your safety.

If you go online and perform a quick search about home remedies for a specific health problem, you will definitely be confronted with tons of search results. As you go on reading, you will realize how they are solutions that have been used since time immemorial. In fact, even historians and experts in the field of alternative medicine find it hard to trace the origins of some of the home remedies known to mankind today. They have their roots in Chinese, Indian, Western, and Ayurveda medicine, among others. For sure, they have been used even by your great grandmothers. By now, you are most probably wondering on what makes them able to withstand the test of time. In spite of the introduction of new innovations in the field of medicine, home remedies have remained to be popular. Here’s why.

1. They are effective. This is on the top of the list on why home remedies remain to be a preferred choice amongst many people when it comes to healing different health conditions. After all, it will not be able to survive thousands of years if they are not proven to be effective. One can easily have them erased from practice if they are not doing any good. In this age of social media, it is very easy to fill the internet with negative reviews about home remedies and say that they do not work and that they are nothing but a waste of time. However, such is not happening. Instead, the internet is filled with articles recommending home remedies as alternatives for traditional medications and treatments. Indeed, these are only evidences of their effectiveness.

2. They are cheap. If you offer one product or service that is cheap, the tendency is that people will flock and will be curious to give it a try. However, if the product does not satisfy them after their first try, they will never have it purchased again, regardless of how cheap it is. The same thing is true in the case of natural home remedies. While they are cheap, they will not be popular and be able to withstand the test of time if they lack effectiveness. However, as proven by those who patronize such, they are not only economical in terms of cost, but also very effective. This makes it easy to understand why they remain to be practiced in spite of their old age in the field of alternative medicine.

3. They are readily available. Way back during the ancient times, people do not have access to hospitals or to pharmacies wherein they can get their medicines. They also do not often have professional consultations with doctors. Because of this, they resort into the use of treatment options that are naturally available from their environment. They make use of herbs and spices, plants and flowers, among others. This is because they can be gathered even from just outside their houses. This is another reason why home remedies are popular. Just go to the kitchen and you will find garlic, which has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. They can be administered without professional supervision. Steam inhalation, which is a common remedy for cold, can be done at home with just the use of hot water and essential oils. With home remedies, you do not need professional supervision or instruction as they can be completed on your own. This spares you from the need to have checkup from a doctor and be given professional prescription, which is not only a time-saver, but also minimizes costs. The best thing is that they are safe and you do not have to worry about side effects, even if they are administered through your own efforts.

5. They can be easily modified. Home remedies are also able to withstand the test of time because they can be easily changed depending on the ingredients that are available or your personal preferences. In a world that is defined by changing times, you do not necessarily have to stick with what have been traditionally used. Instead, you can use new ingredients or those that are available at home while being able to enjoy the same level of effectiveness. Just do not forget to research about it and make sure there are evidences to prove that they will actually work.

Have you ever wondered why the bigwigs in the pharmaceutical industry are making a lot of money? Well, this is most probably because they manage to sell their products at high prices and people patronize them. Why are they still being bought by the public? It is basically because a lot of people are deceived not only by their marketing tactics, but also with what they are fed with professionals in the medical field, such as with what they are given in their prescriptions.

Without any disrespect to doctors, while many medicines can indeed prove to be effective, the problem is that they are expensive. More so, the bigger problem is that even if they treat you for a specific condition, it is inevitable that side effects will emanate in one way or another. With such being said, the rest of this article will tackle briefly some of the most common and harmful side effects of commercial medications.

1. Death. Although not the most common, this is obviously the most serious harmful side effect of commercial medications. Medicines are supposedly given in order to treat a specific health condition. Unfortunately, there are some of them that can do you more harm than good, such as in the case of death. This often happens in the case of overdose, which can likely occur because some people fail to consider instructions from their doctors or they simply develop dependence towards a specific drug. Crestor, for instance, which is a drug meant to lower the bad cholesterol in the body, is said to have resulted into different cases of kidney failure; eleven of which resulted into death, based on a study of Public Citizens Health Research Group.y

2. Cancer. This is one of the most life-threatening diseases all over the world today. People often take medications because of the belief it will provide them with a healthier body, and hence, being able to prevent the growth of cancer cells. Sadly, some medicines are also the culprit of cancer. Propecia, for instance, a commercial treatment for hair loss, has a warning on its label indicating how it can possibly lead to high risk prostate cancer. Actos, on the other hand, a drug that is used for diabetes, can also lead to bladder cancer. This has been proven by the move of the FDA in 2011 adding such indication to the label in order to warn its users.

3. Stroke. AngroGel, is a prescribed drug that is used as a hormone replacement. However, based on tests that have been conducted by the National Institutes of Health, it has been linked to various cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In fact, many of its users who have suffered from stroke have already filed lawsuits against the drug manufacturer for what happened to them. More so, Yaz and Yasmin, which are popular birth control pills, have been also linked to stroke by some of its users who were not happy with how their health condition has been negatively affected.

4. Hallucination. In most common instances, this is a bad thing for your health. People who suffer from hallucination as a side effect are those who take medications for anxiety and depression, among other conditions. Visual and auditory hallucinations have been reported by people who used Lariam, which is a generic name given to a drug that is supposed to treat malaria outbreak. Because of this, the FDA has imposed rules in the early 2000s to first screen anyone who will be given such drug in order to minimize such side effect.

5. Heart Attacks. Medicines that supplement the body with testosterone are amongst the most common to have heart attacks as side effects. There were also many people who have taken Pradaxa, a drug for thinning the blood, have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer because of suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. Avandia, a drug for Type 2 diabetes, is said to have resulted into 83,000 cases of heart attacks from 1999 to 2007, which prompted the FDA to significantly restrict its use and prescription.