Unabridged Dictionary of Drug Alternatives and Non-Surgical Solutions
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Unabridged Dictionary of Drug Alternatives and Non-Surgical Solutions SECOND EDITION Julian Whitaker, MD IMPORTANT NOTE What You Should Know Before You Read This Report The information in this report is not intended to take the place of your per- sonal physician. You should not self-diagnose. Proper medical care is critical for good health. If you have symptoms that are similar to those discussed in this report, please tell your physician. If you are currently on a prescription medication, you must consult with your doctor before discontinuing any drug. Any abrupt changes in your drug regimen could have significant effects on your health and therefore must be monitored by your physician. If you wish to try the natural therapies in this report, first discuss them with your physician. Your physician may not know about these treatments, and it will be up to you to educate him or her. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other natural therapies can be extremely effec- tive, but they work best when they are combined with a daily regimen that focuses on diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. The Whitaker Wellness Program will guide you; elements of my program are outlined throughout this report. Note: Julian Whitaker, MD, is a medical doctor with extensive experience in the fields of pre- ventive medicine and natural healing. While recommendations in this manual represent the opinions of Dr. Whitaker based upon his knowledge, experience, and training as to safety and effectiveness, these recommendations have not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Whitaker’s recommendations are not intended to replace the advice of your physician, and you are encouraged to seek advice from a competent medical profes- sional for your personal health needs. Dear Reader, The question I’m most often asked by patients and Health & Healing subscribers is how to reduce or eliminate the number of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs they take. Prescription medications (and some OTC therapies) have a host of negative side effects, and they rarely address the underlying problems and really help you get well. All too often, conventional physicians address health problems by prescribing pow- erful drugs that create new health concerns—for which the doctor then prescribes even more drugs. This creates a vicious cycle of new ailments and a reliance on medications to alleviate those symptoms. Fortunately, there are safer, more effective, and far less expensive therapies that not only improve many of today’s most common health conditions, but also prevent them from occurring in the first place. Unfortunately, Big Pharma has such a hold on medicine that these natural therapies are generally ignored by conventional doctors. I’m not saying you should never take prescription or over-the-counter drugs. There are certainly circumstances when they can save lives. But all too often, prescribing drugs is a knee-jerk response, while safer, natural therapies aren’t even considered. The physi- cians at my clinic use supplements, lifestyle changes, and noninvasive therapies as first- line treatments. They are the basis of the Whitaker Wellness Program, a blueprint for healthy living that I designed to help you take charge of your health. For more than 35 years, we have been recommending this program of nutritional supplementation, dietary changes, and exercise to help our patients at the Whitaker Well- ness Institute achieve optimal health. These powerful natural therapies have the potential to reverse disease and have enabled thousands to stop taking dangerous prescription medications. In this report, we’ll take a look at the medications, both prescription and over-the- counter, commonly used to treat Americans’ most common health concerns. We will discuss the downside of some of these medications, and I will provide information on the safe, effective natural alternatives we use at Whitaker Wellness. Most of the supple- ments discussed in this report are available in health food stores, online, or by calling the clinic, and I’ve included a section at the end with additional information on some of the other therapies and natural alternatives I recommend. Please note, new medications come on the market continuously. If you’re unsure about what class your drugs fall into, ask your physician. One thing to remember as you read: The natural alternatives in this report are unquestionably safer and, in most cases, as effective as prescription drugs, but they are not magic bullets. These approaches may require some time for your body to adjust, so be patient. The effort is worth it. Best of health to you, Julian Whitaker, MD Topics Found in This Report Allergies .............................................................. 1 Heart Disease and High Cholesterol........... 28 Anxiety ................................................................ 3 Statin Drugs Deplete CoQ10 Levels ....... 29 Arthritis and Joint Pain ................................... 5 Supplements for Lowering Cholesterol.... 30 Help for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypertension/High Blood Pressure ........... 31 Other Autoimmune Disorders ................. 7 Lower Your Blood Pressure With Asthma ................................................................ 9 “Whitaker Salt”....................................... 33 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid (ADHD) ............................................................. 11 Function) ........................................................... 35 Big Pharma Rips Off Americans ............ 11 Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid .... 35 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ....................... 13 Insomnia ........................................................... 37 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Do You Have Sleep Apnea? .................... 37 Disease ............................................................. 14 Menopause........................................................ 38 Want to Kick the Habit? .......................... 15 Men May Also Need Hormone Colds and Flu .................................................. 16 Replacement Therapy .............................. 40 Should You Get a Flu Shot? .................... 17 Migraine Headaches ....................................... 41 Depression ........................................................ 19 Osteoporosis ..................................................... 42 The Best-Selling Drugs in America Urinary Tract Infections ......................... 43 Are Bad News ........................................ 19 Ulcers .................................................................44 The Best Weight Loss Program Ever ...... 21 In Summary ..................................................... 45 Diabetes ............................................................ 22 Resources ......................................................... 45 Help for Diabetic Complications ............. 23 Referrals and Information ....................... 45 Erectile Dysfunction ...................................... 25 Whitaker Wellness Institute Drugs That May Cause Erectile Medical Clinic, Inc. ................................. 46 Dysfunction ........................................... 25 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn .......................................... 27 Dr. Whitaker’s Unabridged Dictionary of Drug Alternatives and Non-Surgical Solutions Allergies clemastine (Tavist) fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra D) One in five Americans suffer with irritating allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, loratadine (Claritin, Claritin D, Alavert) and itchy, watery eyes. Symptoms are often trig- gered by airborne allergens like dander from Prescription Antihistamines household pets, dust, pollen, mold, smoke, or acrivastine (Semprex-D) strong odors. Most people turn to over-the- carbinoxamine (Palgic) counter antihistamines and nasal sprays to alleviate discomfort until they need something cyproheptadine (Periactin) stronger. Conventional doctors prescribe more desloratadine (Clarinex) powerful drugs to mask symptoms, but these fexofenadine/Pseudoephedrine (Allegra D) drugs have significant negative side effects. hydroxyzine (Vistaril) Drugs Commonly Recommended levocetirizine (Xyzal) to Treat Allergies Side Effects May Include: sleepiness, head- aches, dizziness, sour stomach, vision changes, Antihistamines dry mouth/nose, and irritability. More serious side effects, such as heart palpitations, diffi- The drugs most commonly used to treat allergy symptoms are antihistamines. They fall culty breathing, urination difficulties, or trouble into two broad categories: sedating and non- breathing, should be reported to your doctor at sedating. The first category is made up of older once. They could indicate an allergy to the drug antihistamines. These medications do relieve itself or signs of a more serious problem. allergy symptoms; however, they are notorious for causing drowsiness and other side effects. Nasal Sprays The newer antihistamine drugs are marketed as non-sedating but can still cause drowsiness in Your doctor may also recommend a nasal some individuals. Both types of antihistamines spray either alone or in combination with an work the same way. They compete with hista- antihistamine. The most common nasal sprays mine in the body to ward off or mitigate allergic are decongestants and corticosteroids. Decon- reactions—swelling, itching, tearing, etc. gestants restrict the small blood vessels in the nasal passageways thereby reducing swelling Over-the-Counter