Gomantak Times – Weekender, 4 July 2010

When it comes to dealing with a health problem, several medical options are available. From acupuncture to ayurveda to homeopathy, the choice is endless. Giovanni D’Cunha puts his finger on the pulse of alternative medicine

A grandmother, an old aunt, a mother — these were the experts in health from the time we remember.

They prescribed remedies from common cold and fever to wounds that we thought would never heal. Medicine was not considered the exclusive domain of an expert — experience was the greatest physician. Fast-forward to the 21st century and not only do we have a plethora of medicines to choose from, but also a gamut of medical paths we can follow.

FROM RISHIS TO RETAIL

Two major systems of medicine exist in India, what could be called the conventional and the alternative.

The conventional is the modern system of medicine (allopathy) that is scientifically proven and widely used for treating ailments. It is aligned with the pharmaceutical industry that synthesizes chemicals to produce drugs.

This system of medicine is considered the best when it comes to surgery, emergency and trauma. Alternative medicine is a collective term used to describe any form of healing that does not utilize conventional medical practices or use of synthetic drugs and medications. There are several different forms of alternative medicine innovated during the ancient times and is still being practiced in the modern world. In fact, some of them are considered more effective than conventional medicines. It includes acupuncture, ayurveda, naturopathy, meditation, hypnosis, diet-based therapies, homeopathy, and yoga.

However, what started off with the age old practice of concoctions made by the rishis has now developed into a very popular science by itself. There is a strong belief that alternative medicine, which is more cost effective over the long term, works better for just about everything especially for diseases like cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, sinusitis etc. This system of medicine is believed to work by assisting your body to heal itself rather than exposing it to strong drugs. It incorporates a more holistic and empowering healing philosophy that is seen as a natural step in the growth of medicine.

While Goa displays a healthy trend towards increasing numbers of ayurvedic centres, yoga classes and health clubs, ironically it is also becoming the hub for an unhealthy upsurge of lifestyle diseases. Rapid economic growth coupled with a bad diet and sedentary lives has clearly put more food on our plate than we can healthily handle. Most people today opt for a short term home remedy or hop across to a spa for a massage or a yoga session. Some pop a pain-killer as a quick symptomatic cure. None realize the trouble lies much deeper.

WHICH CAP FITS YOU?

People look for the best option to treat illness and have their reasons for selecting one or both systems of medicine. The “conventionals” are people who have a strong faith in the allopathic system of medicine. They believe that medical doctors are the primary healing experts and authorities. The “unconventionals” on the other hand, are those who see illness and health through a different lens. They believe that health is one’s own responsibility.

Hence, they would prefer natural remedies and discipline going by the adage, ‘prevention is better than cure’. A doctor in homeopathy from Mapusa adds, “While ayurveda as a form of alternative medicine has progressed, it is still a niche market with only a few people being aware of it. Both systems of medicine ultimately need to amalgamate — while the alternative would act like a first line of defense, the conventional would be there for a final cure.”

A study recently conducted aimed to find out if there exists a preference for conventional or alternative systems of medicine to treat lifestyle diseases like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. A questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected population of 125 residents of Panjim (above 30 years) since they are more prone to lifestyle illnesses. The results are quite an eye-opener.

There is indeed a polarization between the conventional and alternative systems of medicine when it comes to lifestyle disorders. People favouring the conventional system affirm that it is scientifically proven, provides quick relief and is more effective, while those in the alternative medicine camp argue that it has less side effects, is a long-term cure and more economical. It would be interesting to note, that people with a stronger willpower tend to use the alternative system of medicine over the conventional, since the alternative calls for a greater amount of self-discipline with regard to lifestyle. However, people covered by health insurance would automatically be led to opt for conventional medicine.

THE WAY FORWARD

Why would such a study be of significance to a manager in a health care setup?

• Such correlations could help plan marketing strategies based on patient preference towards a particular treatment.
• Most health insurance providers currently cover only the conventional system of medicine. The time has come when insurance companies need to re-assess the market need and develop customized policies for insurers who may want to be covered for the alternative system as well.
• Government policy formation and implementation needs to consider such preferences of the population to boost the health status of the state.

Alternative medicine is step by step taking center stage where even allopathic practitioners are prescribing these for the intervention of several complaints. The healthcare profession is starting to become aware of the good contributions made to good health by herbs, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and holistic living.

We need to change our attitudes toward the “practice” of medicine. It’s not about “medicine” or treating bad health. It’s about producing good health. Drugs won’t get you there and most of the times they will set you back by suppressing a symptom that is pointing to the real problem. Instead of treating the symptom, treat the cause. The symptom will then disappear. Only then will you experience a true cure. The choice is yours.

[Giovanni D’Cunha is a faculty at the Marian Institute of Healthcare Management and can be contacted at giovanni.dcunha@marianinstitute.in]