But unfortunately too many people are victims of the drug advertising. I think nothing should be advertised than cannot be bought OTC by the consumer.
When I watch television, sometimes I wish I had allergies so that I could spend time in a beautiful meadow filled with wildflowers and butterflies. At other times, I wonder what the hell someone with allergies is doing in a field full of wildflowers.
I have known people with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis, and they would be ecstatic to be able to hike, climb mountains and play tennis with no discomfort. Unfortunately, none of the commercials reflect reality.
My concern is that they can lead people to self-diagnose. After all that I've been through with my deceased bladder, I watch commercials for enlarged prostate remedies (especially procedures) and it makes me angry that when men are having urinary issues, it's already been decided that it's the prostate. And lots of men would rather "live with it" than have their prostate messed with merely for comfort & convenience. Well, there's lots of stuff that can be wrong that only gets worse over time, and should at least be properly diagnosed before the "I'll just live with it" decision is arrived at. The same goes for "overactive bladder." Maybe you have retention issues, which are symptoms of other problems that should be fixed before they get worse. That being said, urology is one field where--with rare exception--you are pretty much on your own and need all the data and resources you can lay your hands on. You'll not find much competent care out there.
Urology is a surgical specialty. They are the "mechanics" of the urinary system. Drugs tend to baffle surgeons, but they love it when they can find something to cut on. There is an old motto in medicine: Surgeons know nothing and do everything; Internists know everything and do nothing; Pathologists know everything and do everything but it is too late for the patient.
Has anyone tried to lower their blood pressure by using Tumeric, which claims to be great for reducing inflammation? My last blood tests gave an alert on increased inflammation. I'm assuming that inflammation is the cause of my recent rise in BP. I surfed the Internet and found something called "TumericBP", specifically designed for hypertension. The reviews on it are good and it is supposed to work in 4 to 8 weeks. I just started taking it and will try to update later.
The healers don't advertise, basically. They are either not allowed to, don't risk it because the system is geared and set up to shut them down, and they don't have to - word of mouth brings people from all over the world to see the healers who are effective for decades.
I just say be informed as much as possible, but not too much to where we see all doctors as incompetent or dangerous to our health.. Many doctor's have saved my life over the years, and only a couple almost caused me to lose it.
I have had similar experience @Marie Mallery. After my accident a few years ago, first responders did a good job getting me to a hospital, but the doctors and hospital policies nearly cost me my life. I was saved by doctors in Seattle. After years of fighting to get PT for the repaired broken back, the physical therapist tore the meniscus in my knee while she fixed my back pretty well. I am still hobbled but differently.