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The guide “ Treating side effects naturally ” supports conventional medical therapy with alternative methods

People who depend on medication often suffer from side effects that impair their quality of life. Naturopathic treatments can be used to specifically improve this quality of life.

Synergy of conventional medicine and naturopathy
Health is not a static state. Health and illness are more like two opposing poles - with a fluid transition from one extreme to the other. Conventional medicine and naturopathy can sometimes be stronger together than either discipline on its own. Patients benefit from this because their well-being increases despite taking medication.
Pharmacist Sabine Ritter and nutritionist Elisabeth Schittler-Krikonas have written a guidebook on the natural treatment of drug side effects. As both authors also work as alternative medicine practitioners with a focus on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), they emphasize that targeted changes in lifestyle and diet in particular contribute to improving the quality of life: "If you support your body in this way, you will probably suffer less or less severe side effects." If you follow these recommendations on a long-term basis, you increase the chances of being spared the corresponding side effects next time.

Benefits and disadvantages of medication
Our well-being is a balancing act - everything we do or don't do can have both desired and undesirable effects. Every activity, including doing nothing, leaves its mark. It is therefore no wonder that this also applies to medication. Unlike food producers or gym operators, however, drug manufacturers must list the known side effects in the package insert. Some of these occur in many people treated with a medication, while others are only observed in a few.
Many patients have sufficient reserves and are therefore not or only slightly affected by taking medication. They benefit above all from its benefits. Others, however, are particularly susceptible to side effects due to individual weaknesses. "An illness can sometimes have a huge impact on your mood. Suddenly worries dominate your life, but everyday life goes on anyway. The medication you take may just be the icing on the cake. What was just a balancing act that somehow worked is suddenly too much," the authors state and advise: "You are taking medication because of an illness. If you carry on as before, nothing will change. Take action!"

Relaxation and nutrition
Relaxation techniques are particularly effective as active self-help. Ideally, however, they should be learned under the guidance of a teacher experienced in the respective technique, because success can only be achieved through regular practice. Autogenic training can be used, for example, to manage stress and as an accompanying therapy for headaches, musculoskeletal problems, mental illnesses or sleep disorders. Biofeedback is a scientifically recognized method that helps you learn to perceive muscle tension and reduce it through conscious concentration. This means that the method is not only suitable for treating musculoskeletal problems, but also for regulating blood pressure, incontinence, headaches or mental illnesses. During meditation, the body relaxes and the mind calms down. This is why meditation is not only good for managing stress, but also for dealing with pain.
Diet and lifestyle form an important basis for a healthy metabolism. If the body and mind are well nourished, this contributes significantly to maintaining health. Diet can therefore make an important contribution to alleviating the unwanted effects of medication and restoring well-being.

Book tip:
Pharmacist Sabine Ritter / Elisabeth Schittler-Krikonas: Treating side effects naturally. Tried and tested medicinal herbs, exercises and nutritional recommendations – how to alleviate unwanted side effects of medication. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition July 2017, paperback, 16 x 22 cm, full color, 287 pages, 20 euros (D) │ 20.60 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-403-8.

Link recommendations:
More information about the guide "Treating side effects naturally"
More about Sabine Ritter
More about Elisabeth Schittler-Krikonas