‘Alternative’ treatments help Tapanui flu

Press, 17 October 1987, Page 9

‘Alternative’ treatments help Tapanui flu

Tapanui flu sufferers often find more relief in alternative treatments than orthodox medicines, a survey by the University of Canterbury has found.

The South Island M.E. Support Group yesterday released the results of a survey of 100 Tapanui flu sufferers in Canterbury. Ms Anne Ny, of the University of Canterbury’s sociology department, made the survey on behalf of the group. The survey found that diet, homopathy, acupuncture, vitamin therapy and other alternative treatments helped to relieve the symptoms of M.E. (Tapanui flu). Many sufferers became frustrated and disillusioned with orthodox

medical treatment. Vitamin B injections, tranquillisers, antidepressants, antibiotics and painkillers tended only to exacerbate their symptoms rather than alleviate them, Ms Ny said. However, it was important to emphasise that individuals reacted ■ and responded to treatment in different ways, she said. “Underlying causes and factors contributing to the illness still remain a mystery, but ongoing clinical research both in New Zealand and overseas is attempting to unravel the puzzling nature of M.E.” The study aimed to highlight medical, social and economic issues facing sufferers in Canterbury and evaluate the effectivness of treat-

ments. . Many of those surveyed were forced to cease fulltime employment because they needed frequent rests during the day and they suffered from excessive fatigue. The consequences of that was a number of those surveyed were on social welfare benefits. Their reduced incomes, combined with extra medical costs, placed sufferers and their families under financial stress, said Ms Ny. The survey indicated that women aged from 20 to 59 were' more likely to suffer from Tapanui flu. It also found that sufferers in Canterbury experienced the onset of symptoms 12 months after victims in Otago.