HealthBeat

U.S. Elderly Grossly Over-Medicated

Some Elderly Are Given Inappropriate Drugs, Study Says
Reuters - Mon Aug 9, 4:02 PM ET
One in five elderly Americans filled prescriptions for drugs deemed inappropriate for older patients, a study of 1999 insurance claims said on Monday.
Many Older Patients on Risky Drugs
HealthDay - Mon Aug 9,11:48 PM ET
MONDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDayNews) -- At least 20 percent of elderly Americans are being prescribed drugs that could possibly harm their aging bodies, new research claims.

These two headlines point out the results of research that was recently released to the "mainstream" medical establishment in the prestigious mainstream medical journal, the Archives of Internal Medicine. It tells us what we at Dr. Myatt's Wellness Club have known for a very long time: that far too many drugs are being foisted upon our elderly, and often for all the wrong reasons. Further, many of the harried and overworked mainstream docs haven't the time to worry about the potential side effects and interactions of the drugs that they prescribe, simply adding yet another prescription to an elder's list to deal with each new complaint, despite the fact that often a little "investigative doctoring" (read: spending a little time listening to and physically examining the patient and critically analyzing the findings of that investigation) would reveal that the "new complaint" could be a side effect or interaction from a medication!

Even more alarming is that many of the so-called "complaints that bring seniors (and many others) to the doctor's office can easily be cleared up by making sure that people's bodies are receiving all the vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients that are necessary for good health but are so sadly lacking in our modern diet of highly processed foods. My own parents, "Snowbirds" in their late 70's, were finally persuaded to try Dr. Myatt's Maxi-Multi optimal dose multiple vitamins this last spring, just before embarking on their semi-annual 2000 mile trip in their R.V. They made it north in record time, and called me upon their return to Canada to report this and marvel at "how much more energy" they felt, and how they "couldn't believe" how effortless the trip had seemed this time. My mother, who had been considering knee surgery, saw her surgeon and deferred, saying her knees and joints felt better than ever - my father, who does most of the driving, found more energy than he had felt for years - the trip was a pleasure, rather than a grind this time. All this, just from the improved nutrition delivered by an optimum strength multiple vitamin!

It is unfortunate that we have been so conditioned, for so long, by the conventional medical establishment to believe that every complaint and illness must be addressed with a drug. Our mainstream medical establishment seems to have lost sight of the importance of nourishing the body so that it has the materials it needs to maintain it's own good health.

If you are one of these unfortunate seniors who finds them self on an ever-growing (and expensive) basket of prescription medications, why not ask your doctor to take a very critical look at that list, with a view to seeing just how many are really necessary, and how many are being prescribed to treat side effects of other medications. Ask your doctor whether a simple diet change could reduce your need for blood pressure pills or "water pills" (diuretics.) Ask your doctor if a simple diet change or some very basic dietary supplements could reduce your need for "statin" drugs to reduce your cholesterol. Ask your doctor if a good multiple vitamin could improve your energy and mood and reduce your need for anti-depressant drugs. Ask your doctor if there is a more natural way to get you a good night's sleep than the "sleeping pills" that leave you so fuzzy and groggy in the morning. Ask your doctor if there isn't a better way to control your diabetes than the fist-full of pills that you are taking now, with all their side effects. Ask your doctor all these things, and more. If your doctor pooh-pooh's your questions, or makes only a half-hearted attempt to remove a few minor drugs from your regimen, consider getting another opinion. Many doctors are too busy, and have been too thoroughly conditioned by the drug companies to be willing to take the time to consider solutions that involve anything other than the prescription pad. If you are not having much luck in getting straight answers to these questions, consider arranging an alternative medicine consultation with Dr. Myatt. Never stop taking any prescription medication without the advice and supervision of a physician - and if your doctor is unwilling to consider alternatives, then find one who will work with you!

Cheers,
Nurse Mark

Wellness Club website:
www.DrMyattsWellnessClub.com

address:
Dr. Myatt's Wellness Club
P.O. Box 3109-RB, Casa Grande, AZ. 85222