You Don’t Need This!

Every week either followers online or, more often, real-life patients ask me to fact-check claims or an opinion about a product or online ad.   Here’s some from the month of July:

1. Clinics claiming that they are the “only” way to be treated for a disease or “only” way to lose weight.  Okay, in the current global doctor shortage and ever longer wait lists, it could seem that we may indeed be down to only one doctor.  But not at all true.  Diabetes is covered under the long term illness card for care with your GP and/or hospital diabetic clinic.  Private hospitals have diabetic services run by Consultant Endocrinologists.  There are multiple private clinics, some absolutely excellent, some offering outdated treatment options.  Anyone treating obesity should be up-to-date on current definitions of the disease, and the standard of care expected for use of drugs and surgery.  If you aren’t sure, talk to your GP for a referral.  Public weight management services do have long waiting lists at the moment, but are available.

2. Drips don’t work to lose weight, grow your hair, or detox anything. Because science. Full stop.

3. The Vibrating Chair is everywhere in aesthetic and pop up clinics. If you think of it critically, you should be asking:  why is a cosmetic clinic treating urinary leaks? There is nothing cosmetic about bladder, bowel, and sexual function.  Also, there are many times that roblems with sexual function  or urinary leaks might need actual qualified medical care.

4. Anti-choking devices are not recommended.  What is strongly recommended is that everyone who cares for children has done a basic course in first aid and CPR (which includes choking).  These courses are affordable and available regularly in your community.

5. #Nutribabble is great clickbait and one of the most lucrative areas of the wellness industry. Want nutrition advice? The recognized qualification to be a dietitian in Ireland is INDI and CORU registration.  And you don’t need a supplement. And trending TikTok diets don’t work (yes, that includes keto, paleo, intermittent fasting…)

6. Gastric Bands are no longer the standard of care in obesity. Qualified bariatric surgeons should not be offering you this option.  And there is no evidence that “virtual” gastric band “fitted” through hypnosis is a sustainable treatment for a disease that complex, chronic, progressive, and recurring.

7. Binge Eating is an eating disorder. It requires competent and qualified health professional care, especially in the context that many patients with binge eating disorder have suffered trauma, usually at least one adverse childhood event (ACE). Hypnosis is not appropriate treatment of an eating disorder.

8. Peeing on a stick at home is mostly just for pregnancy tests. Patients with certain types of diabetes are sometimes prescribed ketone urine testing by their doctor.   But your urine cannot tell you information about vitamins or sleep.  Because science.   What about hydration?  You can just eyeball it:  if your urine is a pale yellow colour, you’re hydrated enough.

9. Do not go abroad for surgery.   While IV Drips Bars and vibrating chairs may just waste your money, surgery abroad causes serious, serious harm.  I have patients who are seeking treatment for complications from their surgery abroad over the last couple of years.  I don’t blame them: they felt desperate, and they were exploited by lack of options.  However, the dangers are real.