According to an investigation of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Esplugues de Llobregat / Barcelona), 17% of children take some type of alternative or complementary medicine. And at the same time, it seems that other studies place 36 to 66% of the percentage of families using treatments other than conventional medicine, which inform their doctor.
The Catalan hospital study reveals that families opt for complementary medicines to treat very prevalent acute and chronic diseases such as respiratory infections and asthma. And what do the authors of these conclusions think? 'Pediatricians should be aware of the total number of therapies administered to children, in order to avoid interactions that may exist with conventional medicine drugs, and avoid abandonment of treatment'.
In my opinion, between a doctor and his patient there must be total transparency, even when the latter decides to introduce any type of alternative medicine into the treatment. I think that many times conventional medicine does not fit the needs and expectations that families have, but that does not mean that data should be hidden from the doctorotherwise it would not make sense for us to put ourselves in the hands of a medical professional.
The team that carried out the investigation, was based on the responses to more than 1700 surveys that the Emergency Service of Sant Joan de Déu had conducted among relatives of patients treated between June and September 2011.
In 67% of cases they had administered a homeopathic product; in 16%, medicinal herbs; in 11%, massages; in 10% natural supplements; by 8% dietary restriction; reflex therapy (4.3%); Chiropractic (3.9%) and relaxation techniques (3.9%)
Another aspect that seems important to me, in addition to clear communication with pediatricians, is the need to inform yourself before using any type of alternative medicine. For this it would be important to go to professionals in these specialties, and contrast opinions, before assessing the suitability of the treatment.
