Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

More and more people are currently exploiting non-traditional methods to treat their
health
-related illnesses despite access to more professional medical services. The following essay will discuss the detrimental effects
this
trend may impose on public
health
and provide examples of healer’s practices and the placebo effect of
supplements
. For centuries countless cultures consulted with so-called shamans or healers whenever they experienced
health
issues before the age of the medicinal revolution. Those individuals were more respected and trusted in the public eye and maintained their social status until the modern days.
However
, these trusted “doctors” usually don’t hold specific medical degrees and
thus
can exacerbate the conditions of the patient.
For instance
, some illnesses demonstrate only slight symptoms during the first stage of infection and a medically uneducated or trained healer would make wrong assumptions about the actual treatment.
As a result
, a person who only showed mild symptoms will die without appropriate medicine and probably surgical procedures. Another harmful example in
this
topic would be dietary
supplements
that have recently infected our society and
health
industry in the
last
50 years.
Initially
, during their introduction, they have been advertised as the best way to improve your immune system and
overall
well-being.
Nevertheless
, many studies have shown their negative impact on the human body and it has even been proved that
supplements
can cause cancer after a long period of application.
For instance
, dozens of parents were convinced that their children were in need of taking additional calcium
supplements
to ensure better bone structure. Following that, those parents were feeding their offspring with
this
particular pill not knowing the negative consequences of their parental actions.
As a result
, overconsumption of calcium contributed to and was the main source of the development of bone cancer
according to
recent studies. In conclusion, there are plenty of reasons people may find for using non-traditional medicine.
Nonetheless
, in my opinion, the usage of not professional treatment especially for self-diagnosed diseases can have a detrimental serious impact on your
health
as in the case of healer practices and misleading dietary supplementary pills.
Submitted by 6atb8k on

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Task Achievement
Ensure a balanced discussion when the question asks for your opinion on whether something is a positive or negative development. Consider briefly addressing both sides to provide a more nuanced perspective, even if your conclusion leans one way.
Coherence & Cohesion
To improve coherence, use a wider range of cohesive devices to link ideas, paragraphs, and sections of your text more smoothly. This can include synonyms, pronouns for referencing, conjunctions, and discourse markers.
Coherence & Cohesion
In your introduction and conclusion, make your thesis statement more prominent and clear. State your main argument explicitly to guide the reader through your essay and reiterate it in the conclusion for emphasis.

Your opinion

Don’t put your opinion unless you are asked to give it.

If the question asks what you think, you MUST give your opinion to get a good score.

Don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion.

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

...do you agree or disagree?...do you think...?...your opinion...?

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You are not ready for IELTS Speaking, if you

  • Can’t speak smoothly without pauses.
  • Use simple words and lack vocabulary.
  • Feel nervous and anxious when speaking.
Topic Vocabulary:
  • alternative medicines
  • treatments
  • positive development
  • negative development
  • health problems
  • usual doctor
  • access
  • personalized approach
  • holistic well-being
  • lack of regulation
  • evidence-based research
  • proper medical treatment
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