How to Get Started With Chelation
Chelation therapy is a treatment that works by injecting a chemical into the body that binds, or chelates, to heavy metals, including iron, lead, mercury, cadmium, and zinc. The most commonly used chemical is ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (ETA). Chelation therapy has been used to treat lead poisoning, heart disease, cancer, autism and other conditions.
Instructions
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Review the scientific research. Chelation therapy is an effective treatment for lead poisoning. However, there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness with respect to other conditions, according to the American Cancer Society. Moreover, according to the American Heart Association, chelation therapy can cause bone marrow depression, shock, low blood pressure (hypotension), convulsions, disturbances of regular heart rhythm, respiratory arrest and even death. The American Heart Association notes that while some people may feel better after chelation therapy, this is most likely due to the lifestyle changes that patients undergoing chelation therapy are forced to make, such as quitting smoking and losing weight, and not the chelation therapy itself.
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Gather the necessary funds. Chelation therapy can be expensive. A single chelation therapy session costs between $50 and $100. It is common for patients to undergo 30 sessions in the first month of therapy. Moreover, chelation therapy is not a medically-accepted procedure for most conditions, and thus insurance companies and Medicare will not pay for it.
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Find a physician. In 2009, the American College for Advancement in Medicine created a Certified Chelation Therapy (CCT) certificate. The certificate will be awarded to physicians who undergo certain training and demonstrate the highest level of expertise and professionalism in the field of chelation therapy, according to Dr. Jeffry Morrison, Chelation Therapy Program Chair. You can find a doctor through the American College for Advancement in Medicine website.
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Prepare for your first appointment. Prior to the first therapy session, a comprehensive personal and family history will be taken. You will be asked a range of question concerning diet, emotional status, exercise, etc. This will be followed by a physical examination and a series of medical tests, including chest X-ray, blood test, urine test, and exercise test. To ease this process, gather your medically relevant information ahead of time.
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