Note from the author: the following article does not represent the personal opinion of the author, it is just an example of a practice essay.

A Discussion Essay: The Trend of People Trying Alternative Methods Instead of Going to a Doctor

It has become a trend for people with health problems to try alternative medicines and other treatments instead of going to their usual appointment. I think this is a negative development.

There are a lot of considerations on why not go to their usual doctor for treatment, and these are all very legitimate concerns. These include financial concerns, personal beliefs, and limited patience. Although alternatives like Chinese medicine can work, it can have risky side-effects and outcomes, and is why I believe it’s a negative development, as the disadvantages significantly outweigh the advantages.

Firstly, ineffective treatments. A lot of so-called ‘treatments’ are actually very well marketed fakes to scam the buyer. Not only does these scams waste the money of the patient, these ‘treatments’ can also lengthen the recovery process of the patient and may give other health threats a chance to thrive.

In addition, even if these alternative treatments do work, they may interfere with the current treatments the doctor has given a patient. Some compounds can’t be mixed with others, similar to how after consuming both vinegar and milk, a person has a higher possibility of developing a stomach ache. The least of side-effects may include less effective results of both medicines, headaches and other problems, or even cause other diseases or health problems altogether.

Going to the doctor is a much better solution.

For starters, the doctor usually knows a lot more about a patient and their health problems than the person themselves’ know. For example, what is their condition, how long has it persisted, etc. These problems can’t be identified by an average patient on their own, which is why doctors exist. They not only provide treatments, they provide guidance on how to combat this period of struggle during a health problem.

Secondly, more professional methods. Doctors have access to CT machines, X-ray machines, and a whole lot of medical equipment to help in identifying and treating the patient, as well as monitoring their recovery process. These methods ensure that the patient is on the right path to recovery, and that their condition is not getting worse. It provides a feedback loop, so when the medicine isn’t working on say a brain tumor or is actually worsening the condition, the doctors at least know the situation and can have choices to act accordingly.

In conclusion, although trying alternative methods of treatment can work, the risks outweigh the advantages, so this is a negative development. Instead, going to a doctor is the best solution.