Deceptive Medical Claims

Too often than not, I’m watching TV or listening to the radio and a doctor or other “expert” comes on claiming that XYZ can cure everything from gout to diabetes. These ludicrous claims, that have little scientific backing, are what make people think doctors are quacks. Recently I had a reader ask to clarify what the benefits of colon cleansings are. Colon cleansings! Did I miss that lecture in medical school? Having no more expertise that the average person I did some researching and found that this is one of the numerous deceptive medical claims that are out there on the market. So how do we decipher what is legitimate or a hoax? Well lucky for you, there is Quackwatch.org that can help provide you with some info.

Yep, there is a whole website devoted to debunking deceptive medical claims. Quackwatch, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere. Founded by Dr. Stephen Barrett, it now has a worldwide network of volunteers and expert advisors. Because of its rigorous adherence to scientific principles in evaluating medical claims they have received numerous awards over the years regarding their articles.

The future for quackery looks bright says James Harvey Young, Ph.D in his article “Why Quakery Persists”. Many people have suffered side effects from modern "miracle" drugs. This circumstance, added to the over prescribing of antibiotics, tranquilizers, and stimulants, has helped foster a stereotype of our nation being "drugged," thereby giving "natural" healers a promotional boost. In the early nineteenth century, quacks termed the doctor a butcher; today they call him a poisoner.

Be wary of grandiose health promises. It’s like they say, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” If you have questions then do your own research. Check out what other people and physicians have to say. Ask your pediatrician for their advice or go on to Quackwatch.org to see more info regarding the specific claim. Now as an educated health consumer, you can make your own decision. Oh and what about the colonics? They have lots to say about this as well! Check it out here.

Sheila Cason, MD