This is the time of year when everyone's making lists, including what to watch got in 2010. Here's my list of top health trends in 2010 -- the tiny trends.I call them "tiny" trends because I'm not privy to the newest medications, surgeries or health procedures that razzle and dazzle, but I do listen and observe the people in my world. These tiny trends relate to simple but important issues that touch our daily lives, whether or not we are admitted to a hospital, suffering a serious illness or taking medication.
Here goes:
There will be skyrocketing interest in stopping nicotine use. With costs up to $80 a carton – and sometimes more – smokers have already been taking a look at stopping. Now that Wisconsin law says that smoking in all restaurants must end in July 2010, there certainly will be even more attention to nicotine use, and its harmful effects and a variety of methods to stop.
We can expect greater focus and greater penalties on drunken driving in the state. That will mean that these stiff penalities will bring greater attention to and discussion about alcoholism and people who just can't stop drinking. Of particular interest will be alcoholism among people who are highly functioning, rather than focusing on the classic image of the skid row drunk.
The ever-growing interest in alternative health continues. More people are checking out acupuncture, yoga, herbal treatments, massage, tai chi, qigong, Reiki and other alternatives for everything from infertility to chronic pain to nicotine use (yes, see above!) to keeping their immune systems strong and healthy. People will also be willing to investigate various counseling alternatives beyond the traditional cognitive behavioral psychotherapy and psychiatric medication.
People will talk about and trade their favorite home remedies in person, in the press and online. Thanks to newspaper columnist Dr. James Gott, Joe and Teresa Graddon of The People's Pharmacy, who recommends mentholated oinment for nail fungus, and the sad state of our health insurance coverage, more people are experimenting with old-fashioned home remedies. Of course, not all remedies are good – some really are old wives’ tales. Check on Snopes, a great place to separate the truth from the rumors and urban legends.
Gardening and grow your own will grow bigger, so you'll want to take a look at the gardening catalog this winter. Home gardening is not only thrifty and convenient, it is also generally organic because you can generally avoid pesticides and herbicides in favor of simple solutions like fencing, scarecrows and combination planting. Even if you're just planting a couple of pots of herbs on your back porch, you'll have herbs for stews, salads and teas.
More interest and recognition of autism is coming. Wisconsin’s 2010 budget includes a new mandate requiring insurance companies to cover the provision of services for treatment of autism disorder. Licensed clinical social workers, certified independent social workers and certified advanced practice social workers are among a number of qualified providers who can provide this service under supervision.
Learning about health will become entertainment. Doctors like Dr. Mehmet Oz and others are showing that health information can be engaging and interesting. With big screen graphics, health challenges and lots of permission to ask questions from viewers, he actually makes learning fun. Better yet, he's a Western M.D. that gives attention to complementary and alternative medical care and regularly recognizes the value of psychotherapy.
Learning about health will become entertainment. Doctors like Dr. Mehmet Oz and others are showing that health information can be engaging and interesting. With big screen graphics, health challenges and lots of permission to ask questions from viewers, he actually makes learning fun. Better yet, he's a Western M.D. that gives attention to complementary and alternative medical care and regularly recognizes the value of psychotherapy.
