Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with health complaints attributed to former dental amalgam fillings

Abstract

Some patients experience health complaints which they attribute to dental amalgam. The symptom pattern is similar to medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). The most common amalgam related symptoms are fatigue/exhaustion, dizziness, mental symptoms (concentration and memory disturbances, anxiety, irritability, restlessness and depression), pain (muscle, joint, neck and shoulder, teeth/jaws/facial pain and headache), functional gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation, diarrhea and bloating), mouth blisters, metallic taste, and susceptibility to infections. The aim of this survey was to describe the prevalence, range and use of CAM among people with health complaints attributed to dental amalgam. Specific attention was paid to (1) self-reported effects of CAM, (2) differences in CAM use dependent on self-reported health, and (3) gender