JUXTAPOSE BETWEEN ORTHODOX MEDICINE AND MODERN MEDICAL CARE IN THE LIFE OF PREGNANT WOMEN
INTRODUCTION
Globally, an estimated 810 women died each day due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth with the majority of deaths in low- and middle-income countries in 2017. Between 2000 and 2017, the average annual rate of reduction in global maternal mortality was 2.9%, which is far short of what is needed to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.
The SDGs prioritize maternal mortality reduction, with a global average maternal mortality target of less than 70 per 100,000 live births and a supplementary national target that no country should have an MMR greater than 140 per 100,000 live births by 2030. For every woman who dies of pregnancy-related causes, many more will suffer from morbidity, disabilities and long-term ill-health. Given the current pace of progress, it is estimated that we will fall short of the SDG target by more than one million lives as well as a burden on maternal health and well-being.
MEANING OF ORTHODOX MEDICINE
Orthodox medicine refers to the mainstream model of medicine where doctors and other healthcare professionals treat people based on their symptoms and diseases. orthodox medicine or “medicine” means any substance or mixture of substances intended to be used by, or administered to, human beings for any of the following therapeutic purposes:
MODERN MEDICAL CARE
Conventional modern medicine is sometimes called allopathic medicine. It involves the use of drugs or surgery, often supported by counseling and lifestyle measures. Alternative and complementary types of medicine include acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, art therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and many more.
Modern medicine has done much in the fields of infectious diseases and emergencies to aid cure. In most other fields, it is mostly control that it aims for, which is another name for palliation. Pharmacology, psychopharmacology included, is mostly directed towards such control and palliation too. The thrust, both of clinicians and research, must now turn decisively towards prevention and cure. Also, longevity with well-being is modern medicine’s other big challenge. Advances in vaccines for hypertension, diabetes, cancers etc, deserve attention; as also, the role of meditation, yoga, spirituality etc in preventing disease at various levels.
JUXTAPOSE BETWEEN ORTHODOX MEDICINE AND MODERN MEDICAL CARE IN THE LIFE OF PREGNANT WOMEN
The only way to begin is by breaking down the meaning of natural medicine and orthodox medicine.
Natural medicine incorporates the healing power of nature and non-invasive therapeutic techniques to heal your symptoms and underlying conditions. Orthodox medicine, on the other hand, refers to the mainstream model of medicine where doctors and other healthcare professionals treat people based on their symptoms and diseases.
Do you know natural medicine has been used for more than 10,000 years while modern medicine is only a few hundred years old? It is no surprise natural medicine has its benefits when compared to orthodox medicine.
Natural medicine is less invasive than orthodox medicine
Forget needing to have foreign objects inserted into your body to relieve your symptoms, or having to take medications with chemicals that do not belong in your body. Natural medicine only uses ingredients found in nature and ingredients that are naturally made in your body to heal you.
Remedial massage, which also works hand-in-hand with natural medicine, also uses non-invasive techniques to provide relief from acute pain and chronic pain, improve body functions, and stimulates your body’s healing process.
Natural medicine invokes the healing power of the body; orthodox medicine does not
The ingredients in natural medicines are naturally made and regularly produced by your body. By using natural medicines, you do not only enhance your body’s natural healing process and treat your illness; you also strengthen your immune system!
Having a strong and healthy immune system means your body is protected from infection and sickness and can easily fight it.
Natural medicine has fewer side effects than orthodox medicine
Orthodox medicines are known for their harsh and harmful side effects.
Most people are not aware of the side effects that might come with the medications they are using. This is often due to a lack of education from their medical practitioner and at times, their pharmacist.
Sometimes, the only information they might receive about their medication is on a medicine information sheet, which is not often discussed with them.
Since natural medicine is made from natural ingredients that can also be naturally produced by our bodies, they do not have any harmful chemicals that can throw your body out of balance.
Natural medicine is not a symptom suppressant, orthodox medicine is a symptom suppressant
Orthodox medicines are symptom suppressants. They do not treat the underlying cause of your illness. Instead, they suppress your symptoms.
Here’s the thing: even though your symptoms have been suppressed, your illness still exists.
If your medication stops working, your symptoms can come back worse than before. This starts a new and repetitive cycle of starting and trying new medications to help suppress your original symptoms. Keep in mind these new medications can come with more side effects of their own.
Natural medicine is not a symptom suppressant. One of the principles surrounding natural medicine is finding and treating the underlying cause of your illness. At East West Natural Medicine Group, we do this through pathology tests. By basing our treatments on pathology tests, we can treat the underlying cause of your illness instead of just masking your symptoms.
Natural medicine focuses on your entire body for healing, orthodox medicine only focuses on your symptoms
In the orthodox medicine model, you see your practitioner for fifteen or so minutes to discuss your symptoms. After that, you are given a medicine prescription to mask those symptoms. Your entire body is not examined for answers as to why your symptoms are happening.
As a Natural Medicine Practitioner, I treat you as a person, not just your symptoms. I believe every symptom is an external indication of an internal imbalance due to any combination of physical, mental, or emotional causes. This means that I focus on your entire body for healing. This includes your emotional, mental, and physical health.
Unlike orthodox medicine, natural medicine empowers you to take control of your health
Orthodox medicine is not empowering. The disconnect and impersonal relationship between Orthodox Medicine Practitioners and their patients does not leave room for empowerment.
Natural medicine empowers you to take control of your health.
As well as treating you, I am passionate about educating you and empowering you with tips and advice to manage your health. During our consultations, I discuss multiple aspects of your health with you to create an individual, effective, and evidence-based treatment plan based on pathology tests.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the importance of modern medical care in the life of pregnant women cannot be overemphasize, because, through modern medical care, women can learn from skilled health personnel about healthy behaviours during pregnancy, better understand warning signs during pregnancy and childbirth, and receive social, emotional and psychological support at this critical time in their lives.
Through modern medical care such as antenatal care, pregnant women can also access micronutrient supplementation, treatment for hypertension to prevent eclampsia, as well as immunization against tetanus. Antenatal care can also provide HIV testing and medications to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In areas where malaria is endemic, health personnel can provide pregnant women with medications and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent this debilitating and sometimes deadly disease.
Lawson Peter – Chief Editor in Projectvilla Nigeria. A writer and academic researcher.