An alternative health treatment killed Hannah’s cousin. Now she’s on a mission to warn others
Hannah’s cousin died and she didn’t have to. Wormhole investigates the dark world of alternative wellness online – and the comforts and dangers of such communities.
Hannah McElhinney's new book, "Wormhole: My Journey into the Dark Heart of Alternative Medicine," recounts the tragic story of her cousin Lauren, who died after undergoing alternative medical treatments in Malaysia. Lauren had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia, and later convinced herself she was suffering from chronic Lyme disease, a disease that is contested in Australia.
Despite the lack of evidence for Lyme disease in Malaysia, Lauren and other sufferers struggled to find support from traditional medical systems.
In her search for answers, McElhinney discovered an online community of people trying to find answers for their Lyme disease symptoms. While seeking answers, McElhinney discovered Lauren's journey, including her visits to Malaysia for alternative treatments, the dangerous practices she experienced, and the eventual death of her cousin. In her book, McElhinney aims to warn others about the dangers of alternative medicine and the need for more research and evidence-based treatments for chronic illnesses.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
