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JUNE-JULY , 2021 | THE HEALTH
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Complementary and alternative healthcare
We must acknowledge that there are complementary and alternative therapies that cannot be simply dismissed as old fashioned or unreliable
MOST OF us have been brought up to believe that there is only one system that dictates our lives , and all others are irrelevant or not as good . We tend to believe that ours is probably the best there is .
The same is said on healthcare . Media framing is what drives the belief in a particular healthcare system .
In today ’ s world , social media and the various platforms in its ecosystem has become an engaging tool of the communities it represents . We are exposed to differing viewpoints and the evidence they put forth is convincing enough for us to accept without thinking . Most people just follow the leadership – be it the government , the politicians , the specialists in their field and the religious leaders .
They operate using their own media ( websites , facebook , leaflets etc ) to disseminate information on the virtues of their product and system . Broadcast and print media have long dominated public thinking without much debate , but now social media have become tools to engage with their target audience . And to reach a bigger and wider audience , they can boost this by paying more to the platform owner .
Social media allows them to understand the needs of the customer and creates opportunities to improve as well as to create new products and services . One just has to google and search for a particular health topic to be able to find the answers .
Self-medication becoming rampant
The combination of own and paid media will create influencers and advocators who will promote the company ’ s brands , a tactic that has helped build brand image . Brands can establish its efficacy and image to earn the respect of the consumer who will also promote and defend it for free .
The sceptics of course will challenge that and will offer alternatives or
complementary solutions . It gives hope to those who have problems and issues with what they are experiencing from the current healthcare system .
Today , healthcare seems to be one of the most sought-after information on the internet . Self-medication has become more rampant today as people tend to look for alternatives or complimentary remedies .
Ask any medical practitioner and they will be alarmed by this trend . They swear by the drugs they prescribe as their diagnosis , methodology and prescription have gone through clinical tests and are approved by the relevant medical authorities . While these regulated practices are commendable and provide the assurance and confidence to the public , we must also acknowledge that there are complementary and alternatives that cannot be simply dismissed as old fashioned or unreliable . These complementary and alternative therapies offer a certain change in lifestyle that is more sustainable .
I find that many doctors seem to not provide proper nutritional advice to
DIFFERENT STROKES
BY ADI SATRIA
patients which is critical in helping to enhance the recovery process . Dependence on drugs , antibiotics , steroids and so on can bring more harm than good if proper nutrition is not included in the prescription .
Treat the cause of the problem
More often , nutritional advice is given in a cursory manner and only on some occasions patients are asked to go to a nutritionist to seek advice . It is not surprising that many patients now seek all the relevant information from the internet . Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) and Ayurvedic treatment have now become more popular as they have doctors who are well trained but the medication and therapy to cure ailments are also based on scientific research . More often these remedies are based on natural herbs and products that complement the nature of the human body ’ s chemistry .
The objective is to treat the cause of the problem rather than treating the symptoms . And this is where proper nutritional advice and practice is essential for long term recovery .
Many of the ailments today are related to the fast-food craze due to lifestyle and pressures of modern urban living . The use of preservatives and food enhancers , sugar and salt contribute to these ailments .
There are no proper health warnings . The huge expenditure on marketing promotion negates any efforts to warn the consumer of the health hazards of this lifestyle . Diabetes being the number one effect of this lifestyle . Drugs alone can never cure this lifestyle . Only a change in the lifestyle will help .
During this pandemic , while vaccination is thought to be the only way to control it , there is already a rise in understanding health issues and seeking alternative and complementary ways to enhance our immune system .
We cannot simply rely on drugs and vaccines alone but a change in our lifestyles is ever more critical now . It will help to improve our chances of recovery in case we are infected . — The Health
ADI SATRIA , a veteran communications practitioner discovered alternative and complementary ways to improve and sustain his health through exercise and proper nutrition which can easily be obtained from the internet . Sharing and discussing health issues with friends in the industry helps to enhance further his health condition .
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filtration standards and systems nationwide . Public spaces deserve immediate attention .
As an immediate urgent solution increasing the humidity level in public spaces would significantly reduce the travel distance of droplet nuclei laden with the virus . While on the contrary , a dry environment can make the exhaled large droplets shrink to droplet nuclei via evaporation .
Additionally , IoT devices measuring CO2 concentration can be placed strategically to alert about areas with dangerous levels and thus call for sanitation . In public spaces , it is also possible to think of gaseous disinfectant ( similar to the one sprayed before airplane takeoff ) released periodically throughout the day .
In the long run , authorities must make ventilation and filtration standards , required to combat airborne infections effectively , part
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of development standards . Allen and Ibrahim discuss at length the required targets for ventilation and filtration in various settings grounded in the basics of exposure science in the aforementioned JAMA article published on April 16 , 2021 .
Also , reducing taxes for anyone who is in manufacturing , installing , and maintaining high-efficiency ventilation and filtration systems will increase general public access to it nationwide .
The revision and upgrading of ventilation and air conditioning systems might seem a daunting task associated with many fixed costs . However , the tremendous savings and other benefits that can be realised from improved public health and reduced sick leaves for other respiratory viruses nationwide might far outweigh the costs . Additionally , the use of “ smart ” systems tracing the occupancy or
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CO2 concentration may significantly reduce the cost of operating such systems .
Quality of masks
Such an indoor air control system overhaul nationwide would also increase our resilience and reduce costs associated with possible future pandemics and air quality-related disasters . But it is also crucially important now when it is uncertain how long we will have to combat Covid-19 and its possible variants .
The second big concern is the quality of masks used — high filtration efficiency and a tight fit are simply crucial for adequate protection against inhaling the tiniest droplets that can be suspended in the air for an extended time . The airborne nature of Covid-19 transmission also requires tailoring intervention strategies and tightening SOPs for locations where masks are
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not worn all of the time , for example , in restaurants . For waiters wearing high-efficiency masks and for patrons wearing masks at all times only except eating is probably mandatory .
The accumulated empirical evidence of airborne Covid-19 transmission discussed here should not only make governments and health leaders heed the science and re-focus their efforts but also make the general public more cautious and vigilant in compliance with the SOPs . Don ’ t let your guard down . This virus , SARS-CoV-2 , might be more subtle and ubiquitous than we think it is . — The Health
Dr Rais Hussin and Dr Margarita Peredaryenko are part of the research team at EMIR Research , an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research .
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