Alternative treatment warning; arthritis

[Guest guest]

Choosing Medical Treatment

by Isadora B. Stehlin

.... Of growing interest and attention in recent years are so-called

alternative

treatments, not yet approved for sale because they are still undergoing

scientific research to see if they really are safe and effective. And, of

course,

there are those " miracle " products sold through " back-of-the-magazine " ads

and TV

infomercials. ...

Arthritis

Although there is no cure for arthritis, the symptoms may come and go with

no

explanation. According to the Arthritis Foundation, " You may think a new

remedy worked because you took it when your symptoms were going away. "

Some commonly touted unproven treatments for arthritis are harmful,

according

to the foundation, including snake venom and DMSO (or dimethyl sulfoxide),

an

industrial solvent similar to turpentine. FDA has approved a sterile form of

DMSO called Rimso-50, which is administered directly into the bladder for

treatment of a rare bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. However,

the

DMSO sold to arthritis sufferers may contain bacterial toxins. DMSO is

readily

absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, and these toxins enter the

bloodstream along with it. It can be especially dangerous if used as an

enema, as

some of its promoters recommend.

Treatments the foundation considers harmless but ineffective include copper

bracelets, mineral springs, and spas....

http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?menu=1 & item=3 &

file=documents/doc_018.htm