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Dangers of Unverified Alternative Medicine on Social Media

Prevent yourself from falling prey to false promises of unregulated treatments
10:52 PM Jan 28, 2025 IST | Syed Mudasir Mushtaq
dangers of unverified alternative medicine on social media
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In today’s digital age, social media has become a platform for spreading medical advice, but it has also enabled unqualified practitioners to promote alternative treatments for serious conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer, liver problems, and diabetes. These practitioners claim to reverse or cure these diseases, often advising patients to stop conventional treatments like dialysis, chemotherapy, or hospitalization. While these promises may seem appealing, they can be dangerously misleading.

The Rise of Alternative Medicine on Social Media

Over the last decade, numerous unqualified individuals have promoted alternative treatments for conditions like CKD, cancer, liver disease, and diabetes through social media. These practitioners often claim that conventional treatments are ineffective or harmful, urging patients to rely on herbal remedies or “natural” solutions instead. Such advice can be tempting for patients who are desperate for an affordable or less invasive cure, but it poses significant risks.

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The Science Behind Critical Conditions and the Impossibility of “Cures” Without Proper Medical Intervention

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Dialysis: CKD is a progressive condition where kidney function deteriorates, eventually requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. There is no alternative treatment proven to reverse kidney damage once it’s severe. Discontinuing dialysis in favor of unproven remedies can lead to irreversible organ failure and death.

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Cancer and Chemotherapy: Cancer requires aggressive treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. While some alternative therapies may alleviate symptoms, there is no evidence that they can cure cancer. Rejecting chemotherapy for unproven treatments can result in rapid disease progression and death.

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Liver Disease and Diabetes: Conditions like cirrhosis or hepatitis cause irreversible liver damage, and diabetes requires careful management. While lifestyle changes can help manage these diseases, there are no alternative treatments to cure them once they’re advanced. Conventional medical treatments, including insulin for diabetes and liver transplants for liver failure, remain essential.

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The Dangers of Following Unverified Advice

The most significant danger of following alternative treatments promoted on social media is that they are often scientifically unproven and harmful. Discontinuing prescribed treatments for serious conditions like CKD, cancer, or liver failure can cause rapid deterioration, irreversible damage, and death.

Delaying Proper Treatment: Choosing unverified alternative therapies can delay life-saving medical interventions, worsening the patient’s condition.

Financial and Emotional Exploitation: Many alternative practitioners charge high fees for treatments that offer no benefit, financially exploiting vulnerable patients, especially those from lower-income backgrounds.

The Role of Authorities in Protecting Patients

To protect patients, especially from underserved communities, several key actions are needed:

Stronger Regulation of Alternative Medicine: Governments should regulate practitioners who promote unproven treatments by requiring certifications, scientific evidence, and imposing penalties for false claims.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Education is critical, particularly in rural and less educated areas, to differentiate between evidence-based medicine and unproven alternatives.

Accessible Healthcare for the Poor: Governments should make life-saving treatments like dialysis, cancer care, and diabetes management more affordable and accessible.

Monitoring and Legal Action: Legal authorities should investigate misleading claims and remove harmful content from social media, holding practitioners accountable for public health risks.

Support for Mental Health: Offering mental health support can help patients make informed decisions and cope with chronic illnesses, reducing the vulnerability to exploitation.

What is Right and What is Wrong?

The correct approach is clear: Allopathic medicine remains the most effective treatment for life-threatening conditions like CKD, cancer, liver disease, and diabetes. Treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and insulin are scientifically proven to save lives. Alternative medicine may complement conventional treatments but should never replace them for serious conditions. Relying on unproven therapies can be fatal.

Bottomline: The promises made by social media-based alternative practitioners to cure chronic and life-threatening diseases are misleading and dangerous. It is crucial that patients trust evidence-based treatments, seek professional medical advice, and avoid unregulated alternatives. Authorities must take action to regulate alternative medicine practices, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure that people have access to the care they need. Informed decision-making is essential to improving health outcomes, especially for underserved communities.