The other day, CNN hosted a 7-hour long climate change town hall for the Democratic presidential candidates. This, of course, isn't the only scientific topic of relevance to Americans. If we were running the debate, we would ask questions about the following science and health topics:

Vaccines. Measles and other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are on the rise, largely due to anti-vaxxer propaganda.

Opioids. The most recent data, from 2017, show that more than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, with nearly 48,000 involving some sort of opioid.

Energy policy. Energy policy is of vital importance because it strongly influences both the economy and the environment.

Alternative medicine. Americans are becoming increasingly distrustful of doctors, scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and expertise in general. As a result, alternative medicine continues to grow in popularity.

Vaping. Americans are rightly concerned about the health effects of vaping.

Biotechnology. Biotechnology is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. Some of the technologies raise serious ethical issues.

What science and health questions would you ask if you ran the debate? Put them in the comments section below!

Originally posted here:

Science and Health Questions for Tonight's Democratic Debate - American Council on Science and Health

FDA ought to promote stem cell therapy by easing up on regulation and its aggressive enforcement.

On International Rare Disease Day 2017, one month after being sworn in as President, Donald Trump gave his 2017 Joint Address to Congress. During his speech, he took particular note of the slow and burdensome approval process at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that keeps too many advances from reaching those in need. With a specific emphasis on the health of sick children, President Trump argued that if we slash the restraints at FDA, then we will be blessed with far more miracles.

In attendance that night was Sarah Hughes, a young woman who was forced to travel to Mexico for stem cell therapy (SCT) to treat her systemic idiopathic juvenile diabetes. In 2014, Hughes had her own cells extracted, processed and then infused back into her in a process known as adult autologous stem cell therapy. The results were life-changing.

Before the SCT, Hughes was taking 23 medications a day. After nearly two dozen stem cell infusions over a two-year period, Hughes was down to eight medications a day, and at lower doses. SCT alleviated Hughes chronic pain, allowed her to eat normally and absorb nutrients from food, and gave her choices in life she never had before. Despite her progress, she lamented the fact that that other Americans in her position could not avail themselves of SCT.

Since delivering his address to Congress, President Trump has in fact made progress in modernizing FDA, most notably by signing into law the Right to Try Act of 2017, which allows terminally ill patients increased access to experimental drugs that have completed Phase I of the clinical trial process but have not been approved by FDA.

President Trumps actions continue a broader trend in easing patients access to emerging medical treatments. In December 2016, for example, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law, which contains special provisions for the accelerated approval for advanced regenerative therapies like SCT.

Despite the clear trend toward FDA modernization and the easing of restrictions by Presidents Obama and Trump, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee has recently signaled that it wants to see enhanced FDA regulatory enforcement over SCT. Leaders of the committee sent a letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless voicing its concern about FDAs seemingly permissive use of its discretionary regulatory enforcement authority against potentially violative clinics.

The Committee is seeking more information about FDAs long-term enforcement strategy, including: financial resources dedicated to approving legitimate SCT products; human resources dedicated to the reporting of adverse events; and the possibility of state-federal partnerships to revoke the medical licenses of SCT clinicians.

To be sure, concerns over the safety of patients receiving SCT are reasonable and necessary. But any call for increased regulatory enforcement against clinics offering SCT is premature and will likely disadvantage far more Americans than it helps. At a time when an increasing number of Americans suffer from debilitating chronic medical conditions, we need more medical choice, not less.

The unspoken truth is that despite the constant invocation of the threat of harm from SCT, the actual number of reported cases of adverse harm is remarkably few. Conversely, success stories are numerous.

These SCT successes are built upon robust scientific literature and clinical practice that demonstrate the safety and efficacy of SCT for certain medical indications. The scientific and anecdotal evidence on SCTs efficacy in treating orthopedic conditions is substantial. Research has shown that it can facilitate the healing of bone fractures, stimulate cartilage regeneration, treat meniscus repair, and decrease lower back painthe greatest contributor to global disability according to 2010 Global Burden of Disease data.

Stem cell therapy has also been shown to treat both the chronic pain caused by opioid abuse and the effects of opioid tolerance. Likewise, SCTs ability to treat the symptoms of certain autoimmune conditions is well established. Perhaps most noteworthy is the virtual absence of adverse events that can be directly ascribed to adult SCT.

Although officials such as former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and current Commissioner Sharpless acknowledge the power and uniqueness of SCT, federal policy on stem cell research and rulemaking has a Janusian quality. On the one hand, it has expanded significantly in the past decade as a result of the relaxing of rules restricting embryonic and other types of stem cell research and the passage of federal laws aimed at expediting regenerative medicine therapies to market. On the other hand, FDA regulations that define the standards for determining which therapies can be offered without FDA approval and those that require approvallegally deemed drugstend to operate to slow down medical innovation.

In fulfillment of its obligations under the Cures Act, FDA released a guidance document in November 2017 with a new framework that is intended to balance the agencys commitment to safety with mechanisms to drive further advances in regenerative medicine so innovators can bring new, effective therapies to patients as quickly and safely as possible. Importantly, the guidance purports to clarify the terms minimally manipulated and homologous use, key standards that determine the availability of stem cell therapies to patients. Stem cells that are minimally manipulated and used for homologous purposes do not need to undergo clinical trials. However, by all accounts, the guidance document interprets these terms quite narrowly, effectively proscribing the therapies altogether.

In an effort to facilitate compliance for clinics that offer unapproved SCT services, FDA has stated that for the first 36 months following issuance of the guidance, it will adopt a risk-based approach to enforcement of the new rules. So far, FDA has indeed exercised its enforcement authority judiciously, targeting clinics that it deems flagrant in their marketing or medical practices. Enforcement has generally taken the form of either warning letters or federal lawsuits. The combination of FDAs narrow interpretations with increasing public demand for alternative medical therapies, however, has meant that the number of clinics offering unapproved SCT products has grown.

The Energy and Commerce Committee should consider the following four factors in determining how to proceed. First, it must recognize that SCT is a unique and unprecedented medical modality that requires a unique regulatory enforcement approach that balances the interest of regulators, scientists, clinician and patients.

Second, FDAs stated three-year grace period has not yet run. Any evaluation of enhanced enforcement should be deferred until that time comes.

Third, the reporting of adverse events resulting from the use of SCT in clinics is astonishingly small. Of course, any adverse events should be meticulously documented, investigated, and taken seriously. That said, to indict an entire practice because of the negligence or recklessness of a few is a step too far, especially given how many Americans have benefitted from SCT.

Fourth, it is precisely because so many people with no viable medical alternatives have benefitted from the therapy that the Committee should re-think its aggressive posture toward enforcement. When taken together, these four factors weigh against enhanced federal enforcement at this time.

Furthermore, states have played a critical role in SCT regulation. In 2017, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law that makes Texas the first state to authorize the use of SCT for patients with certain severe chronic condition or terminal illnesses. Arkansas is on course to be the first state to require medical insurance companies to cover stem cell therapy.

States are also actively participating in enforcement against clinics that they believe fraudulently market SCT. New York State Attorney General Letitia James recently filed a lawsuit against a clinic offering SCT, maintaining that it misled patients with deceptive marketing practices. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is also investigating patient complaints. These two cases show that states are more than capable of weeding out alleged SCT bad actors without enhanced efforts by FDA.

Like Sarah Hughes, I was forced to travel abroad for SCT. In 2010, I traveled to Nanjing, China for SCT to treat a progressive neuromuscular condition. Although my time in China was wonderful, no Americans should have to travel for SCTa safe and inexpensive therapyto save or improve their lives. Stem cell therapy is a paradigm-shifting medical modality that allows persons to use cells from their own bodies to heal themselves. As such, it embodies the democratization of medicine. To unduly stifle, impair, or otherwise restrict the availability and affordability of SCT would not only injure the constituents that members of Congress fight for, but also wound our democratic ideals.

Despite disagreements over policy, all interested parties agree that SCT represents a revolution in medicine. Americans have recognized this shift, and the desire for SCT has reached a tipping point. Thoughtful, judicious, and balanced regulatory enforcement that targets the most flagrant bad actors and allows states to take the lead is the proper way forward at this point.

More:

When it Comes to Federal Stem Cell Regulation, Less is More - The Regulatory Review

Doctors have six months to change how they prescribe anxiety and sleeping medicine to avoid disciplinary action by the Medical Council.

The council has warned doctors that they could face an investigation if found to be over-prescribing benzodiazepines, z-drugs and Pregabalin.

President of the Medical Council, Dr Rita Doyle said information on GP prescribing for medical card holders shows that about half of doctors are prescribing above the average and 80 GPs are overprescribing.

Dr Doyle said they have been working with the HSE, the Department of Health, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the medical profession to see if better supports can be provided for doctors and patients.

She said it is vitally important that any patient who is taking benzodiazepines or z-drugs does not stop taking them without advice and guidance from their doctor.

Dr Doyle pointed out that doctors have a very clear ethical responsibility to safely prescribe these drugs as set out in the council's guide to professional conduct and ethics for registered medical practitioners.

She agreed during an interview on RT radio that mental health services are not good enough but said doctors should not compound the problem by excessive prescribing:

Any doctor whose level of prescribing is above the normal range, and who is not working in an exceptional area of practice, and who does not make any effort to refer their patients to support or reduce their high-prescribing levels may require formal investigation by the Medical Council."

Benzodiazepines

The Irish Medical Organisation said that GPs are acutely aware of the dangers and difficulties in prescribing benzodiazepines and other sedatives.

IMO president, Dr Padraig McGarry, who is a practising GP, said the warning from the Medical Council about the drugs is welcome and will generate an important debate on the issue.

Dr McGarry said a patient/doctor relationship could become tense if a GP is not willing to prescribe them: Every GP will be familiar with tense exchanges with patients who believe they should be prescribed such drugs and in some cases that can escalate to threatening behaviour."

Dr McGarry said GPs also have to weigh up the reality that it might take weeks to access alternative treatments for conditions such as anxiety.

In some circumstances, a prescription of a sedative might be warranted as an initial intervention while the patient begins alternative therapies. From the outset, GPs set out a plan about how the drugs would be prescribed and used.

Read more here:

Doctors warned about over-prescribing anxiety and sleeping medicine - BreakingNews.ie

Coriander is an herb thats commonly used to flavor international dishes.

It comes from the Coriandrum sativum plant and is related to parsley, carrots, and celery.

In the United States, Coriandrum sativum seeds are called coriander, while its leaves are called cilantro. In other parts of the world, theyre called coriander seeds and coriander leaves. The plant is also known as Chinese parsley.

Many people use coriander in dishes like soups and salsas, as well as Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian meals like curries and masalas. Coriander leaves are often used whole, whereas the seeds are used dried or ground.

To prevent confusion, this article refers to the specific parts of the Coriandrum sativum plant.

Here are 8 impressive health benefits of coriander.

High blood sugar is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (1).

Coriander seeds, extract, and oils may all help lower blood sugar. In fact, people who have low blood sugar or take diabetes medication should practice caution with coriander because its so effective in lowering blood sugar.

Animal studies suggest that coriander seeds reduce blood sugar by promoting enzyme activity that helps remove sugar from the blood (2).

A study in rats with obesity and high blood sugar found that a single dose (9.1 mg per pound of body weight or 20 mg per kg) of coriander seed extract decreased blood sugar by 4 mmol/L in 6 hours, similar to the effects of the blood sugar medication glibenclamide (3).

A similar study found that the same dosage of coriander seed extract lowered blood sugar and increased insulin release in rats with diabetes, compared with control animals (4).

Coriander may lower blood sugar by activating certain enzymes. In fact, its powerful enough that people with low blood sugar should use it cautiously.

Coriander offers several antioxidants, which prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.

Its antioxidants have been shown to fight inflammation in your body (5, 6, 7).

These compounds include terpinene, quercetin, and tocopherols, which may have anticancer, immune-boosting, and neuroprotective effects, according to test-tube and animal studies (8, 9, 10, 11).

One test-tube study found that the antioxidants in coriander seed extract lowered inflammation and slowed the growth of lung, prostate, breast, and colon cancer cells (12).

Coriander is full of antioxidants that demonstrate immune-boosting, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.

Some animal and test-tube studies suggest that coriander may lower heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels (13, 14).

Coriander extract appears to act as a diuretic, helping your body flush excess sodium and water. This may lower your blood pressure (13).

Some research indicates that coriander may help lower cholesterol as well. One study found that rats given coriander seeds experienced a significant decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol and an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol (15).

Whats more, many people find that eating pungent herbs and spices like coriander helps them reduce their sodium intake, which may improve heart health.

In populations that consume large amounts of coriander, among other spices, rates of heart disease tend to be lower especially compared with people on the Western diet, which packs more salt and sugar (16).

Coriander may protect your heart by lowering blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. A spice-rich diet appears to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Many brain ailments, including Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and multiple sclerosis, are associated with inflammation (17, 18, 19).

Corianders anti-inflammatory properties may safeguard against these diseases.

One rat study found that coriander extract protected against nerve-cell damage following drug-induced seizures, likely due to its antioxidant properties (20).

A mouse study noted that coriander leaves improved memory, suggesting that the plant may have applications for Alzheimers disease (21).

Coriander may also help manage anxiety.

Animal studies demonstrate that coriander extract is nearly as effective as Diazepam, a common anxiety medication, at reducing symptoms of this condition (22).

Keep in mind that human research is needed.

The antioxidants in coriander may reduce brain inflammation, improve memory, and reduce anxiety symptoms, though more research is needed.

Oil extracted from coriander seeds may accelerate and promote healthy digestion (23).

One 8-week study in 32 people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that 30 drops of a coriander-containing herbal medication taken thrice daily significantly decreased abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort, compared with a placebo group (24).

Coriander extract is used as an appetite stimulant in traditional Iranian medicine. One rat study noted that it increased appetite, compared with control rats given water or nothing (25).

Coriander may reduce unpleasant digestive symptoms like bloating and discomfort often experienced by people with IBS. It may also boost appetite among some people.

Coriander contains antimicrobial compounds that may help fight certain infections and foodborne illnesses.

Dodecenal, a compound in coriander, may fight bacteria like Salmonella, which can cause life-threatening food poisoning and affect 1.2 million people annually in the United States (26, 27).

Additionally, one test-tube study revealed that coriander seeds are among several Indian spices that can fight the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) (28).

Other studies suggest that coriander oil should be used in antibacterial formulations due to its ability to fight foodborne illnesses and hospital-acquired infections (29, 30).

Coriander exhibits antimicrobial effects that may help fight foodborne illnesses and pathogens like Salmonella.

Coriander may have several skin benefits, including for mild rashes like dermatitis.

In one study, its extract failed to treat diaper rash in infants on its own but could be used alongside other soothing compounds as an alternative treatment (31, 32).

Other studies note that the antioxidants in coriander extract may help prevent cellular damage that can lead to accelerated skin aging, as well as skin damage from ultraviolet B radiation (33, 34).

Furthermore, many people utilize coriander leaf juice for skin conditions like acne, pigmentation, oiliness, or dryness. Nonetheless, research on these uses is lacking.

Coriander contains antioxidants that may protect your skin from aging and sun damage. It may also help treat mild skin rashes.

All parts of the Coriandrum sativum plant are edible, but its seeds and leaves taste very different. While coriander seeds have an earthy flavor, the leaves are pungent and citrus-like though some people find that they taste like soap.

Whole seeds can be added to baked goods, pickled vegetables, rubs, roasted vegetables, and cooked lentil dishes. Warming them releases their aroma, following which they can be ground for use in pastes and doughs.

Meanwhile, coriander leaves also called cilantro are best to garnish soup or use in cold pasta salads, lentils, fresh tomato salsa, or Thai noodle dishes. You can also pure them with garlic, peanuts, coconut milk, and lemon juice to make a paste for burritos, salsa, or marinades.

Coriander seeds and leaves both come in handy for everyday cooking but offer very different flavors that determine their best uses.

Coriander is a fragrant, antioxidant-rich herb that has many culinary uses and health benefits.

It may help lower your blood sugar, fight infections, and promote heart, brain, skin, and digestive health.

You can easily add coriander seeds or leaves sometimes known as cilantro to your diet.

Keep in mind that many of the above studies use concentrated extracts, making it difficult to know how much coriander seeds or leaves you would need to eat to reap the same benefits.

See the article here:

8 Surprising Health Benefits of Coriander - Healthline

Lifestyle disorders like diabetes are growing widely. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Lifestyle disorders have become so commonplace that life-long conditions like diabetes have become more widespread and are even even detected among the younger population nowadays. The key, as per experts, lies in eating right and eating local. And what if we told you that you could find a possible remedy to manage the condition right in your kitchen?

ALSO READ | Diabetes-friendly nut: How many almonds should you consume daily?

Cumin seeds or jeera, which is commonly added to most Indian dishes, could help manage diabetes, as per various studies. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, cumin is also known to be anti-bacterial and antiseptic. Such is the result that jeera is considered to stimulate insulin production in the body which consequently helps keep the blood sugar levels in check.

According to a 2016-study to evaluate the effect of 50 and 100 mg doses of green cumin essential oil on glycemic and inflammatory indices in patients with type 2 diabetes, it was established how administering cuminum cyminum supplement (or cumin) in such patients could decrease the serum levels of insulin, fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. In addition, it could control the complications of type 2 diabetes in these patients, the study noted.

In another study published in Nutrition and Metabolism, it was observed that cumin not only lowered blood glucose levels but also helped people maintain a healthy body weight, which is one of the potential causes of diabetes in the first place.

ALSO READ | Have you tried this low-carb food to manage diabetes?

Experts recommend having it in whole-seed form or in powdered form. Roasted jeera powder is also added to dal, yoghurt or salad to lend a distinct flavour. Drinking a glass of jeera water 30 minutes after each meal is also believed to help keep blood glucose in control, as per Luke Coutinho, MD alternative medicine and holistic nutritionist, and the co-author of The Great Indian Diet along with actor Shilpa Shetty.

However, if you are already on medication for diabetes, then it is important to keep a tab on the intake of cumin seeds. This is because excessive intake of cumin seeds can make blood glucose levels to drop too low which is called hypoglycemia, leading to a medical emergency.

The only catch is to not consume adulterated form of jeera, and only go for organic black cumin seeds. Besides, there are other benefits of jeera that you can count on. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and stress can also be combatted with regular intake of cumin.

However, it must be noted that more research is needed, especially in humans. The best supplement form and dose is currently unknown and therefore, it is likely best enjoyed in food instead of as a supplement.

Here is the original post:

Diabetes: Know about the spice that could help control blood sugar levels - The Indian Express

A HORSE chiropractor and alternative healer has been deemed a serious risk to the public after he sold plain bottled water as a treatment for Hendra virus, German measles and chickenpox.

Peter Lindsay Esdaile of Warwick, who used a "neuro emotional technique'', also claimed a similar alternative product could be used to treat snake bites, herbicide and pesticide poison and paralysis ticks, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard.

In 2015, Mr Esdaile, a registered Queensland chiropractor until August that year, promoted his alternative remedy to the Hendra virus vaccine on his equine energy website.

Hendra virus is an infection transferred from fruit bats to horses and from horses to humans, with a high fatality rate.

Mr Esdaile sold the remedy - plain bottled water with a handwritten label attached - to a buyer for $35, the tribunal heard.

It had not been tested or scientifically-proven to be effective against the virus in humans or animals.

"These claims put the public at risk from unvaccinated horses who may contract the virus upon their owners' reliance on Mr Esdaile's alternative product,'' the tribunal said.

"Mr Esdaile financially exploited a consumer when he sold them the ineffective alternative product for a profit.''

Mr Esdaile admitted he had simply bought bottled water and placed a label with the words "Hendra virus'' and the "potency'' number "200C'' on it.

He said the placing of the label on the bottle changed the energy in the water and provided immunity to Hendra virus.

In a promotional video, Mr Esdaile said: "It doesn't matter whether you give it to a horse or yourself. That should give you the protection you need.''

An expert in Hendra virus and infection management said there was no scientific rationale or clinical evidence that plain bottled water provided human protection for the virus, chickenpox, German measles or paralysis ticks.

Peter Esdaile claimed his remedy could be used as a treatment on humans and animals. Picture: Jayden Brown

Mr Esdaile rejected the expert's opinion, saying he was not qualified in the field of "energy'' health care.

On September 6, the tribunal said he had provided no proof to support his "false and misleading claims''.

It permanently prohibited Mr Esdaile from advertising, promoting or supplying a remedy, vaccine or treatment not recognised or endorsed by conventional science-based medicine.

The prohibition order applies to any treatment for humans for Hendra virus, chickenpox, German measles and other viral infections.

It also applies to any alternative treatment for snake bite, herbicide or pesticide poison, paralysis ticks or other poisons or substances toxic to humans.

Follow this link:

Healer's bizarre 'protection' against Hendra virus - Northern Star

People needing long-term medical treatment say they are frightened they will be left without medication after Brexit , following the release of a Government document.

One woman in Stroud has been unable to get the medicine she needs since March, another says she is suffering from anxiety over the threat of running out of supplies while another says she was discharged from hospital and told she would have to source the drugs herself as there were none in stock.

Operation Yellowhammer is the codename used by the Government for contingency planning in case of a No Deal Brexit.

The Operation Yellowhammer contingency plan which outlined a series of worst-case assumptions for the impact of a no-deal Brexit on October 31 has been described by the British Medical Association as alarming saying it has confirmed its warnings about a forthcoming shortage of medical supplies.

Former teacher, Jane Thomas, 63, from Stroud was shocked to find the Lansoprazole that she takes for Lupus was on the list of medicines that could run out or become hard to source.

If I dont take this every day I end up in chronic pain. The constant medication keeps me on an even keel, if I cant take it, I will become very poorly, she said.

Jane, who also suffers from fibromyalgia says some of the alternative medications she could take if she couldnt get hold of Lansoprazole were also on the list.

When you find a medication that suits you its good to be able to stick with it, some of the alternatives I have tried havent agreed with me, its important to have the one that works for you, she said.

Lots of people with Lupus take steroids and they are also on the list too, its very worrying.

Stress is a big trigger for me to bring on my symptoms. I already have the stress of having an illness which is not going to get better.

Now worrying about what I will do if I cant get my medicine is causing me a lot of anxiety.

The Yellowhammer list warns of riots on the streets, food price rises and reduced medical supplies as being a real risk if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The six-page document warns of disruptions at Dover and other channel crossings for at least three to six months.

According to the document the flow of cross-Channel goods could face "significant disruption and is likely to have an impact on the supply of medicines".

It states: The reliance of medicines and medical products; supply chains on the short straits crossing make them particularly vulnerable to severe extended delays.

Fran from Stroud who has suffered from Lupus for 25 years and Raynauds syndrome hasnt been able to get one of her medicines since March.

She has also seen that six out of the eight drugs she takes are on the Yellowhammer list so she is worried about the future.

Fran, 49, normally takes Adalat for her Raynauds but she has been told there is a problem at the manufacturing plant.

I am dreading the winter coming as I really suffer in the cold and I could be susceptible to chilblains.

Fran has been knitting herself some socks and has invested in a pair of cashmere gloves to try and help her through the cold months.

There is an alternative medicine available but I have been told I cant have it as it is too expensive, she says.

I am not looking forward to what my body is going to do if I cant get my medication. I am so scared. It is the fear of what could happen and just not knowing. There are no assurances.

Alice Reeve, 44, who suffers from Lyme disease and campaigns for those suffering with the disease across Gloucestershire was recently admitted to the A&E department of Cheltenham Hospital with suspected sepsis.

When I was discharged the microbiologist said I needed to go on to a course of antibiotics but the hospital didnt have any in stock so I was told I would need to go out and find them myself.

I really wasnt in a fit state to do that but I knew I needed the drugs. I rang around all the pharmacies in Cheltenham and my family did the same but no-one had the antibiotics in stock.

I had to go back to the hospital later that night where they gave me the last ten tablets from the Intensive Care Unit until I could track some down as I needed a 14-day supply.

You know things are pretty bad when they are giving you the last supplies from ICU. I was in a terrible state and I am very scared for the future.

Alice added: It was very frightening just having that experience and the thought of what it is going to be like after Brexit if that report is anything to go by just leaves me feeling very scared.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

We are not currently aware of any supply issues with Linezolid and Lansoprazole.

On the Adalat range of the drug nifedipine, we are aware of ongoing supply issues due to manufacturing constraints and continue to work closely with suppliers to ensure the medicine is available to patients. There is no evidence of any supply shortages being related to Brexit.

Go here to see the original:

The people in Gloucestershire fearing the lack of medicines due to the Brexit fall-out - Gloucestershire Live

Integrative medicine: Alternative becomes mainstream

What's considered an alternative therapy is a moving target. Learn the lingo and get the facts.

Complementary medicine has never been more popular. Nearly 30 percent of adults report using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Doctors are embracing CAM therapies, too, often combining them with mainstream medical therapies spawning the term "integrative medicine."

Exactly what's considered complementary medicine changes constantly as treatments undergo testing and move into the mainstream. To make sense of the many therapies available, it helps to look at how they're classified by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH):

Examples include dietary supplements and herbal remedies. These treatments use ingredients found in nature. Examples of herbs include ginseng, ginkgo and echinacea; examples of dietary supplements include selenium, glucosamine sulfate and SAMe. Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders, tablets or capsules.

Mind-body techniques strengthen the communication between your mind and your body. CAM practitioners say these two systems must be in harmony for you to stay healthy. Examples of mind-body connection techniques include meditation, prayer, relaxation and art therapies.

Manipulation and body-based practices use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part of your body. They include chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and massage.

Some CAM practitioners believe an invisible energy force flows through your body, and when this energy flow is blocked or unbalanced, you can become sick. Different traditions call this energy by different names, such as chi, prana and life force. The goal of these therapies is to unblock or re-balance your energy force. Energy therapies include qi gong, healing touch and reiki.

There are other approaches to complementary health that focus on a system, rather than just a single practice or remedy, such as massage. These systems center on a philosophy, such as the power of nature or the presence of energy in your body. Examples of these approaches include:

Many conventional doctors practicing today didn't receive training in CAM or integrative medicine, so they may not feel comfortable making recommendations or addressing questions in this area.

Doctors also have good reason to be cautious when it comes to some CAM. Conventional medicine values therapies that have been demonstrated through research and testing to be safe and effective. While scientific evidence exists for some CAM therapies, for many there are key questions that are yet to be answered.

In addition, some CAM practitioners make exaggerated claims about curing diseases, and some ask you to forgo treatment from your conventional doctor. For these reasons, many doctors are cautious about recommending these therapies.

One reason for the lack of research in alternative treatments is that large, carefully controlled medical studies are costly. Trials for conventional therapies are often funded by big companies that develop and sell drugs. Fewer resources are available to support trials of CAM therapies. That's why NCCIH was established to foster research into CAM and make the findings available to the public.

Work with your conventional medical doctor to help you make informed decisions regarding CAM treatments. Even if your doctor can't recommend a specific practitioner, he or she can help you understand possible risks and benefits before you try a treatment.

It's especially important to involve your doctor if you are pregnant, have medical problems or take prescription medicine. And don't stop or change your conventional treatment such as the dose of your prescription medications without talking to your doctor first. Finally, be sure to keep your doctor updated on any alternative therapies you're using, including herbal and dietary supplements.

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Original post:

Integrative medicine: Alternative becomes mainstream ...

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Click here to read An Introduction to Alternative Medicine.

Original post:

Anti Aging Medicine | Alternative Medicine | Primary Care ...

Old wives tales and recipes for remedies from your grandmother is woven into the fabric of most lives. Many of us grew up with parents who attempted a home cure before buying medicine or (heaven forbid) making an appointment with the doctor.

A couple of generations ago, the average population didnt seek out a doctor unless it was clear that it was a serious illness and had exhausted all efforts at handling the problem at home. When doctors werent available, or affordable, families sought relief in what is now referred to as holistic medicine or alternative medicine.

Before we begin, lets look at the actual terms being used, shall we? Specifically, the terms alternative medicine and traditional medicine. Hmmm the definition of traditional is something that is long-established and time-honored. Since herbs, foods, roots, and other natural remedies have been used formillennia, I would contend that natural medicine should actually be considered to be traditional whereas drug-intensive medicine (which has only been used for a century or two), should actually be considered the alternative medicine.

Do you see how the phrase he who defines the terms wins the argument is true? By convincing the world that drug-intensive medicine is actually traditional medicine, Big Pharma has re-defined the term and persuades people across the globe that this type of medicine is the gold standard when in reality it is not.

Now, I am not asserting that modern medicine is bad. It is indisputablethat incredible advances in medical technology have saved millions of lives from suffering and death. There is no doubt that many doctors and scientists enter their fields with the goal of helping others. You want to trust your doctor. You want to believe that the pill theywant you to try will make you feel better.

However, weve become blind to a very dangerous trend. Too many of us listen to the professional and assume that this doctor has our (thepatients) best interests at heart. As the doc listens to the problem, nods with very little thought, reaches for the prescription pad, and sends youon yourway confidence dwindles.

To make matters worse, a growing majority of patients now ask for drugsby name. They know the one they want based off a commercial seen on television. Its the one thats going to take care of the problem they didnt even know they had.

Over the last several decades, there is a frightening profit over patient approach that is literally changing the way we live and take care of our bodies.

When did we stop even trying? How did we get here? Why do we now run to our doctors begging for pills to handle every little ailment that appears? What has changed that made our thinking go from natural to pharmaceutical?

Eat all the junk you want heres a pill for high blood pressure.Dont exercise at all heres a pill for obesity.That stress is no big deal heres a pill to alter your mood.Gobble up that sugar we have your insulin ready.Smoke and fake-tan and ingest known toxins chemotherapy will fix you.

Why should you care when there is a pill to handle the consequences of the food you eat, the environment you live in, and the lifestyle choices you make?Thankfully that is not the approach taken by those who practice more natural methods of patient care. Sadly, alternative medicine practitionersare on the receiving end of a lot of ugliness.

Natural alternatives are frowned upon in the modern age, and those who seek them out are openly ridiculed. If youre a practitioner of alternative therapies, that ridicule can take on a life of its own.

Its no secret that the allopathic medical community has long scoffed at the ideas and methods of holistic and alternative medicinepractitioners.While shouting publicly about protecting the health of society, they whisper in secret about protecting a health-care monopoly that comes with huge payoffs and kickbacks.

Modern medicine, some physicians, and big pharmaceutical companies dont want us reverting to the old ways for fear of losing the almighty profit prescription and over-the-counter drugshave provided

Does this seem extreme to you?

Consider this the American Medical Association (AMA) has been waging a war against the entire chiropractic community since the 1920s. By spreading mis-truths and propaganda, the AMA attempts to discredit chiropractors as quacks and charlatans. They paint them as modern day snake-oil salesmen who do more harm than good.

As recently as 1987, the American Medical Association (AMA) and several other medical agencies were found guilty of attempting to create a monopoly on health care in the United States.

The courts found theAMAguilty of the following:

Despite being found guilty of these atrocities, and even opening doors slightly to osteopathic physicians, the war continues through massive loopholes. The agencies merely changed the style of their attacks. In 2006, the AMA stated publicly their opposition to the licensing of naturopaths. Psychiatrists jumped on the AMAs bandwagon to shoot down the credibility of psychologists along with naturopaths, chiropractors, and midwives.

They state that their opposition is based on their concern for the safety and quality of care of patients. The war is far from over. The AMA continues to lobby state licensing boards to deny anyone the right to practice if their degree doesnt state Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

They want the states to rewrite the rules according to the game they want to play.

Alternative medicine practitioners are quick to point out some of the biggest reasons why people should seek out care from non-conventional physicians. They highlight statistics that clearly show more people dying from prescription drug side effects, hospital errors, infections contracted at medical facilities, and unnecessary surgeries.

Compare that, if you will, to the relatively low instance of patient harm resulting from alternative care.

If the AMA were concerned, theyd clean up their own dirt instead of sweeping it under the rug and attempting to place blame where it doesnt belong. However, they arent the only culprits

The American Dental Association still supports poisonous mercury in fillings and scoffs at natural dentists using alternative fillings in the interest of patient health. Fluoride has been proven to do far more harm than good, but is still in widespread use with the ADAs proud endorsement.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claims to protect children, but refuses to disclose how much of their funding comes from companies that produce and manufacture vaccines. They suppress reports on the truth of how vaccines can be harmful or even life-threatening.

Even the American Cancer Society continues to point fingers elsewhere while they nurture partnerships with pesticide and drug manufacturers. Their conflicts of interest lie between funding and the environmental research on the causes of the cancers they claim to be fighting.

As long as policy makers are under the control and funding of medical and pharmaceutical powerhouses, the natural and alternative physicians and practitioners will continue to have an uphill battle to wage. Every drug that hits the market comes with a media campaign meant to detract from the long list of side effects.

Chiropractors are touted as quacks despite having patients that have shown obvious, documentable, and positive results of treatment.

Naturopaths continue to quietly provide patients with relief via treatments meant to help and cure, not mask or disguise symptoms.

Midwives bring safe, peaceful, low-stress birth experiences to parents. Many parents seek to write their own birth-plan and have it followed without threat of C-section or induction because the doctor is on a timeline or hasnt been trained in alternative methods to support the mother through birth.

Alternative medicine physicians practice despite the challenges. They receive their degrees and go into practice knowing that they will face opposition daily. Online sites are full of negative reviews from people accusing them of quackery. Positive reviews are met with disbelief and even anger from people that found a public option for shaming and negativity based on their beliefs.

Its a modern day witch hunt and the stakes arent burning but they are high. If the AMA ever wins their fight, we may all die from the care they bring to us under the guise of knowledge and concern.

As always, do your own research. Talk to more than one healthcare practitionerbefore making any health decisions. Sometimes a combination of natural and traditional medicine can be the most beneficial for anyone facing an illness or disease such as cancer.

The bottom line is that its your disease, your body, and your choice. Dont let medical bullying and fear influence your decision.

For centuries, people have relied onwhat is now referred to as holistic medicine or alternative medicine.

Since herbs, foods, roots, and other natural remedies have been used formillennia, natural medicine should actually be considered to be traditional whereas drug-intensive medicine should be considered the alternative medicine.

Over the last several decades, there is a frightening profit over patient approach that is literally changing the way we live and take care of our bodies.

Modern medicine, some physicians, and big pharmaceutical companies dont want us reverting to the old ways for fear of losing the almighty profit prescription and over-the-counter drugs have provided.

As long as policy makers are under the control and funding of medical and pharmaceutical powerhouses, the natural and alternative physicians and practitioners will continue to have an uphill battle to wage.

Do your own research. Talk to more than one healthcare practitionerbefore making any decisions. Sometimes a combination of natural and traditional medicine can be the most beneficial whenfacing an illness or disease such as cancer.The bottom line is that its your body and your choice.

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The Witch Hunt for Alternative Medicine Practitioners

From yoga to massage to homeopathic care, more and more people are turning to alternative therapies. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 38% of American adults use some form of alternative medicine.

But is it covered by your health plan? The short answer: It might be. Find out how to see which services your plan will cover, and discover other ways your health plan can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for alternative treatments.

There are some alternative treatments that your health plan may cover. Acupuncture and chiropractic care may be covered if they're medically necessary. Many plans include physical therapy, and if massage therapy is determined a part of your therapy, it could be covered, too.

The best way to find out what's covered is to take a look at your plan details. Sign in at regence.com, and select My benefits. Your Medical Benefit Booklet outlines what kind of treatments are covered under your plan.

If you have further questionslike if you'll need a prescription, or if you're limited to a number of visitsreach out to Customer Service.

When choosing a primary care provider, you may be able to go to a naturopath. They're trained in both natural and conventional approaches to prevent disease and treat illness.

To look for a naturopathic doctor near you, use Find a Doctor and search for "naturopath." Be sure to sign in first to see providers in your network.

Alternative treatments can be expensivebut you can save money by using the pre-tax dollars set aside in your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture are all qualified medical expenses. If massage therapy is recommended by a doctor to treat a specific injury or trauma, it qualifies as long as you have a letter from your doctor. Learn more about HSAs and FSAs.

As a Regence member, you have access to programsoffered in addition to your planthat provide discounts on health-related services and products. Through the CHP CAMaffinity Program, you get 20% off services from select providers for chiropractic care, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine and massage therapy.

Using alternative treatments doesn't mean you have to pay for it all out of your own pocket. Your health plan can help you get the therapies you needor at least make them more affordable. Sign in to your Member Dashboard today to find out more about your specific benefits.

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Access alternative medicine with help from your health plan ...

About Conference

Pulsus provides an opportunity to meet up with peers from both industry and academia and establish a scientific network between them. It comprises of proficient keynote presentations, verbal speeches by eminent speakers, productive poster presentations and exhibitions providing insights on Alternative & Traditional Medicine.

Pulsus Group is an internationally renowned medical peer-review publisher and conferences organizer established in the year 1984 publishes and hosts the work of researchers in a manner that exemplifies the highest standards in research integrity. With a legacy of 30 years of excellence in Medical Publishing, now we are running several International Conferences in the fields of Medical, Clinical, Life Science and, Pharma.

Traditional medicine is the form of folk medicine which has been evolved over years. Alternative medicine is the transformed form of traditional medicine which is substitute for the present western medicine. Folk medicine stands as the backbone of traditional medicine which is believed to provide longstanding remedies. Nowadays, most of the people believe that traditional medicine is safer as it obtained from the natural herbal products. The market value of the traditional medicine is increasing day by day and worldwide annual market value is approaching US$ 60 billion.

World Health Organization (WHO) has made substantial research investments for the development of traditional medicine. Several leading pharmaceutical companies are looking forward for novel chemical compounds that can be used for curing various diseases. Further research and development is needed on to find dosage, production techniques, the mode of action and the effects of herbs for each disease. Also, the clinical trials of the medicine are necessary to prove the safety and efficacy before being recommended in the world market

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Alternative Medicine 2019 | Traditional Medicine Conferences ...

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The best and most authoritative web site available on herbal medicines.

The World Health Organization (WHO)

At last! An authoritative reference on the many nuances of Alternative Medicine. How to separate the good from the bad and the unknown. An extraordinary piece of work that will become the standard text in this area.

Vincent T. DeVita Jr., MDThe Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine Yale School of Medicine Former Director, National Cancer Institute

The authors have conducted a systematic and careful review of the scientific literature, and provide clear summaries of what is known about the risks and benefits of herbs and supplements.

Anthony L. Komaroff, MDProfessor of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolEditor-in-Chief, Harvard Health Publications

I absolutely love your product. It's comprehensive, and includes information that other resources do not.

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I checked out your new site and I really like it! It's easy to navigate - very clean design and professional. The testimonials and all the doctors on the Editorial Board give a lot of confidence and credibility.

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Welcome to the Chiropractor Directory.

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Find a Local Chiropractor - Alternative Medicine Now

Complementary and alternative medicine comes in a broad range of forms. Here's a look at five widely practiced types of complementary and alternative medicine:

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the most commonly used complementary medicine approaches in the U.S. fall into one of two subgroups: natural products or mind-body practices.

In the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (or NHIS, a report conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics), researchers determined that 17.7 percent of American adults had used a dietary supplement other than vitamins and minerals in the past year. The most commonly used natural product was fish oil, an omega-3-rich substance said to protect against conditions such as heart disease.

The second category of most commonly practiced complementary medicine approaches, according to the NCCIH, mind-body therapies typically involve using specific techniques to boost the mind's capacity to influence bodily function and enhance health.

Hypnotherapy is a popular type of mind-body therapy. Also known as hypnosis, it's been found to promote weight loss, alleviate back pain, and aid in smoking cessation in some scientific studies.

A self-directed practice long used to promote calm, meditation is a mind-body therapy that shows promise as an approach to achieving healthier blood pressure and sounder sleep. There's also some evidence that meditation may benefit people struggling with chronic pain.

Although yoga is often practiced as a form of exercise and a means of reducing stress, it's also used as a mind-body therapy. Indeed, some research indicates that yoga may help manage conditions like anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and depression.

The NCCIH notes that yoga's popularity has significantly increased in recent years, with almost twice as many U.S. adults practicing yoga in 2012 as in 2002.

Many proponents of complementary and alternative medicine use therapies and healing practices from alternative medical systems, such as homeopathy and naturopathic medicine.

Alternative medical systems also include traditional medical systems from other countries, such as Ayurveda (a form of alternative medicine that originated in India) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Within TCM are a number of therapies frequently used in the U.S. today, including acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal medicine.

This type of complementary and alternative medicine is based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body.

In some cases, manipulative and body-based methods involve participating in classes or individual sessions with the aim of changing your movement habits. For example, the Alexander Techniqueinvolves relearning basic movements (such as standing and sitting) in order to reduce muscle tension, while the Feldenkrais Method involves creating new patterns of movement in order to improve physical function and overall wellbeing.

Other types of manipulative and body-based methods used in complementary and alternative medicine focus on applying specific treatments to address health issues. These methods include reflexology, osteopathy, and rolfing.

Another type of complementary and alternative medicine, energy therapies are generally based on the idea that energy fields surround and penetrate the human body. Practitioners of energy therapies often aim to manipulate biofields by applying pressure and/or placing the hands in or through these energy fields.

While the existence of such energy fields has not been scientifically proven, there's some evidence that certain energy therapies may have beneficial effects.

For instance, preliminary research has shown that practicing qigongmay help control chronic pain and lower blood pressure while Therapeutic Touch may help soothe osteoarthritis pain. In addition, there's some evidence that reiki may help lessen pain, promote healthy sleep, and reduce anxiety.

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5 Kinds of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary medicine is a group of diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines that are used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient's discomfort following surgery.

Complementary medicine is usually not taught or used in Western medical schools or hospitals. Complementary medicine includes a large number of practices and systems of health care that, for a variety of cultural, social, economic, or scientific reasons, have not been adopted by mainstream Western medicine.

Complementary medicine is different from alternative medicine. Whereas complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. An example of an alternative therapy is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy that has been recommended by a physician.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can include the following:

Complementary and alternative cancer treatments are often lumped together. But to a cancer specialist, there is a big difference. Complementary therapy is used in addition to mainstream medical treatment. Alternative therapy is used instead of proven treatment. Another term you may hear is integrative medicine. This means combining CAM and standard care to try to treat cancer in a way that involves your body, mind and spirit. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes:

What is alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, and spiritual healing.

What are complementary and alternative medicine therapies?

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies fall into five major categories, or domains:

Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice. Often, these systems have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Examples of systems that have developed in non-Western cultures include traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.

Mind-body medicine uses a variety of techniques designed to enhance the mind's capacity to affect bodily function and symptoms. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past have become mainstream (for example, patient support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy). Other mind-body techniques are still considered CAM, including meditation, prayer, mental healing, and therapies that use creative outlets such as art, music, or dance.

Biologically based therapies in CAM use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. Some examples include dietary supplements,3 herbal products, and the use of other so-called natural but as yet scientifically unproven therapies (for example, using shark cartilage to treat cancer).

Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. Some examples include chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, and massage.

Energy therapies involve the use of energy fields. They are of two types:

Questions to ask your doctor when considering complimentary or alternative medicine therapies

Cancer patients using or considering complementary or alternative therapy should discuss this decision with their doctor or nurse, as they would any therapeutic approach. Some complementary and alternative therapies may interfere with standard treatment or may be harmful when used with conventional treatment. It is also a good idea to become informed about the therapy, including whether the results of scientific studies support the claims that are made for it. 1

Choosing a CAM practitioner 1

For additional information, please read"Consumer Financial Issues in CAM."

SOURCES: 1 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

What holistic medicine degrees are available?

From certificates to doctoral degrees, the alternative medicine arena offers a wide range of educational resources for those interested in joining this growing field.

If you plan to work as a naturopathic doctor (ND), youll need to earn a doctoral degree in order to practice. This type of program teaches students about all the areas of natural health and prepares them to work in a private practice or clinic.

Other alternative medicine programs, like hypnotherapy or homeopathy, are typically geared toward those with an ND (or MD) and come in the form of diplomas or certificates. Many naturopathic doctors use homeopathy and hypnotherapy to complement their existing treatments. If youre interested in studying an area of alternative medicine as a hobby, you can also find courses and seminars.

If you plan to attend a college or university to be trained in alternative medicine, you can expect to learn about the following topics:

A bachelors of science (BS) degree in alternative medicine is a four-year program which will incorporate both general education requirementsEnglish, math, sciencewith specific course work related to alternative medicine.

If you already work in the natural health field as a massage therapist or other profession, earning a BS in alternative medicine can expand your career options and teach you how to include new treatment methods in to your job.

As an example of what you might encounter in a BS in alternative medicine program, Everglades University offers the following classes once a student has completed the general education requirements:

Becoming an ND doesnt require a pre-med undergraduate major, but if you know youre interested in heading down this career path, be sure to fulfill any science prerequisites that may be necessary for graduate school.

If youve got your sights set on a naturopathic doctor career right from the start, there are undergraduate naturopathic programs which include 20 semester or 30 quarter credits of chemistry, botany, biology, anatomy and physiology.

If youre looking to earn a master of science in alternative medicine degree, youre in luck. Theres no shortage of graduate programs, but youll need to determine what area of the field you want to focus on.

Concentrations include:

As an example of coursework in an MS program for alternative medicine, the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research includes these classes:

Physiology and health, nutrition, physical medicine and pulse reading are other topics youll be trained in.

Just like a medical doctor (MD), naturopathic doctors need the most advanced degree to practice. In fact, NDs learn the same basic sciences as an MD, but theyre also schooled in a vast array of alternative medicine techniques.

To become an ND, students must be trained in:

Clinical training will be another crucial aspect in your doctoral education.With clinical experience, youll meet with patients and get a sense of the environment you could one day be working in.

Your field of expertise will determine your licensure requirements. Licensure is done through the state you plan to work in, while certifications are generally provided by industry organizations. Certification does not necessarily mean you are licensed to practice.

Naturopathic Doctor

Not all states distribute licenses for alternative medicine practitioners, but the following states do, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is a proponent of licensure in all 50 states.

The Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP) certifies NDs.

Homeopathic program graduates are licensed through the Council for Homeopathic Certification (CHC). In Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada, licensed homeopaths are also physicians. Meanwhile, unlicensed practitioners are allowed to practice homeopathy in California, Idaho, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Minnesota and Oklahoma. If you refer to yourself as a homeopathic doctor, youll need to have a medical license, otherwise you can work as a homeopathic counselor.

Hypnotherapy

Several certification organizations give their seal of approval to hypnotherapists including the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists (AAPH), the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH) and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ACSH).

Certification can also be obtained via the American Board of Medical Hypnosis, the American Board of Psychological Hypnosis, the American Board of Hypnosis in Dentistry and the American Hypnosis Board for Clinical Social Work.

Holistic Health Practitioner

The American Association of Drugless Practitioners certifies holistic health practitioners.

Naturopathic degree programs train students to become an expert in the field of alternative medicine as well as how to work with patients seeking a different form of medical treatment. ND programs are rigorous and prepare students to work as a primary care physician.

In addition to a clinical practicum, courses will teach you about:

Your level of education will determine how much schooling youll need. An alternative medicine degree can take the following time to complete:

Not unlike traditional medical schools, online naturopathic programs exist, but professional organizations often discourage students from distance learning because medicine is such a hands-on field.

The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the accreditation body for ND schools, doesnt accredit online programs. If you earn a degree from a non-accredited school, youll be unable to sit for the professional exam to become licensed as an ND.

If you work in a state where NDs arent licensed and youve earned a degree from a non-accredited school, you can still use the ND title, but cannot present yourself as a physician. Instead, you can use your expertise to counsel patients.

If youre looking to earn a certificate in hypnotherapy or homeopathy, online programs are available.

If you attend a four-year naturopathic school tuition full time, expect to pay approximately $25,000* per year. While the cost can be steep, find out if your school offers financial aid, scholarships or grants.

Making sure your school is accredited is particularly important if youll be applying for financial aid. These schools qualify for federal and state financial aid, such as work-study programs and Stafford loans.

Programs for homeopathy and hypnotherapy cost less because theyre usually shorter in length and offered to practicing NDs and MDs as a way to complement their services.

Homeopathic school tuition runs between $200 and $7,500. The reason for the wide range in cost is length of time. Programs in the $200 to $1,000 range are generally week-long or weekend seminars, while the more expensive courses last longer and are more in-depth.

*Cost of tuition only. Prices do not reflect other fees.

ND program prerequisites

While each school has their own requirements, most NDs will expect incoming students to have:

Homeopathy program prerequisites

Pay attention to the prerequisites for homeopathic programs as some are geared strictly for medical professionals. These will require a medical license as a prerequisite. Programs offered for anyone interested in the practice generally dont have prerequisites.

Accreditation is an important part of your alternative medicine education. Its the seal of approval that a schools program provides a standard of education accepted in the industry. Be aware there are different bodies of accreditation based on the area of medicine you plan to practice.

Naturopathic Doctor

Attending a school which is not accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) will be a hindrance if you try to sit for a professional board exam. Only graduates of CNME-accredited schools are permitted to take these exams.

Homeopathy

Classical homeopathy programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America.

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, is another accreditation body you may come across.

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Things to Know About Degrees in Alternative Medicine ...

The principles of alternative medicine are rooted in ancient healing methods combined with modern medicine to treat and prevent illness. Continue reading to learn whether a career in alternative medicine is right for you.

In most cases, alternative medicine excludes prescription drugs and tends to focus on the use herbs and other forms of natural healing. This form of healthcare comprises a diverse array of specialties and sub-specialties that tend not to rely on standard or conventional methods for treatment. These include naturopathic medicine, complementary medicine, acupuncture, herbal therapy, aromatherapy, holistic medicine and many more.

The common denominator among these specialties is the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself, making the goal of the alternative medicine practitioner to educate patients on nutrition and to encourage lifestyle changes that bring the body back into balance while curing itself of illness. In addition, a mixture of ancient remedies and modern medical technology may be used to restore health without the use of major surgery and medications.

Methods used for healing vary by profession. For instance, practitioners of Oriental medicine work with herbal remedies, acupuncture and acupressure massage. Naturopathic physicians blend modern medicine with ancient healing remedies to perform minor surgeries and use holistic methods to cure and prevent common ailments, such as chronic pain, hormonal imbalances and adrenal fatigue.

Those working in alternative medicine must receive formal training. The intensity, level and length of training vary according to the chosen specialty and desired salary. Generally, a bachelor's degree in the chosen field is required, as well as the completion of a 4-year graduate level program through an accredited school. However, certificate programs may allow for study in a more specific profession. A doctoral degree is not usually required, but could be helpful in some fields, such as naturopathy.

Those wishing to specialize in Oriental medicine should enroll in programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Similarly, those wishing to pursue a career as a naturopathic physician should enroll in programs recognized by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Review the links below for details about relevant training programs.

Most programs for alternative medicine require clinical hours and hands-on training, but in some instances students can obtain degrees through distance learning instruction. Online degrees can be found at all levels of education. Here are some options to consider.

The majority of alternative medicine practitioners are self-employed, but many can find positions in private practices and medical centers. In some instances, employment may be acquired in a hospital setting, but specialty hospitals that concentrate on holistic care offer the most opportunities for alternative medicine specialists. Jobs may also be found in community health centers and clinics. The following articles from Study.com show just some of the career possibilities in this field.

Licensing requirements vary depending on the field of specialty and location. To become a licensed naturopathic physician, one must successfully complete the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners in order to work in any of the 16 states requiring this certification. Similarly, the field of acupuncture has licensing standards in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Licensing is provided by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and membership with the American Association of Oriental Medicine may be a benefit.

Salaries for practitioners of alternative medicine vary by specialty, location and level of experience and education. According to Payscale.com, as of April 2014, naturopathic physicians in the 10th-90th percentile range earned base salaries of $29,799-$109,690. As of the same year, acupuncturists in the same percentile range earned $29,142-$93,688.

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Alternative Medicine - Study.com

What Is It?

Some healing treatments like acupuncture or herbal medicine are not part of conventional medical training. People in Western countries like the United States used to consider these treatments outside the mainstream, or "alternative."

In lots of Eastern countries its common to use practices like acupuncture in medicine. But until recently, most Western hospitals didn't provide any alternative treatments, and Western medical schools didn't teach them. In the last few decades, patients in Western countries have become interested in these approaches, and they'vestarted to ask for them. Now some Western medical schools teach non-traditional therapies and some hospitals use them in their care.

Some approaches like meditation, yoga, and massage therapyare known as complementary medicine because they complement traditional medical treatments. Together, complementary and alternative medicine have come to be called CAM for short.

Both alternative and complementary medicine use the same kinds of remedies to treat health conditions. The difference is that alternative medicine is often used instead of conventional medical techniques. Complementary medicine is used in addition to conventional medicine, not as a replacement.

Conventional medicine is based on scientific knowledge of the body and uses treatments that have been proven effective through scientific research. Doctors are trained to have a thorough knowledge of the body's systems, diseases, and their treatments.

Complementary and alternative medicine is based on the belief that a medical care provider has to treat the whole person body, mind, and spirit. The techniques used in CAM are mostly less invasive than conventional medical practices, meaning that they don't rely on surgery or conventional medications.

Some CAM therapies are supported by scientific evidence, others are not. Many still need to be studied. This doesn't mean these therapies don't work, it just means that experts haven't studied them enough to know if they do and if so, how.

People often turn to CAM when they have a long-lasting problem that conventional medicine hasn't completely cured. Someone might try complementary health approaches to help improve symptoms or manage side effects from conventional treatments.

People may also use CAM when they're not sick. Because many people believe that CAM approaches such as practicing yoga or taking dietary supplements can improve overall well being, healthy people often use alternative medicine to try to prevent illness or ensure a healthier lifestyle.

Just as there are many fields in conventional medicine, CAM covers many different practices. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) groups CAM practices into two areas:

In addition to these different practices, CAM includes several whole medical systems. These alternative medical systems are entire fields of theory and practice, and many date back earlier than the conventional medicine we use in the West today. Examples of alternative medical systems include Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, homeopathic medicine, and naturopathic medicine.

Alternative medical systems incorporate many of the different practices listed above into their treatments. For example, the TCM practice of acupuncture may be combined with herbal medicine and qi gong. And Ayurveda includes the mind-body therapies of meditation and yoga, along with the practice of taking specific herbs for health reasons.

Some of these alternative medical systemsare supported by scientific research, while others have not yet been studied. Sometimes experts have scientific evidence that a CAM practice (like acupuncture) works, but they don't have a clear understanding of why.

Although CAM does have some proven benefits, like anything it has its limitations.

Experts haven't researched many CAM supplements and practices enough to tell how effective they are as treatments. Some people may not feel it's worth investing a lot of time or money in treatments that haven't been proven effective. Insurance policies dont cover most CAM treatments, so people may have to pay for them out of their own pockets with no reimbursement.

Alternative healing approaches on their own may not be enough to help a person get well. For example, a bacterial infection needs treatment with antibiotics. And just like traditional medications, dietary supplements may have unwanted side effects.

Another reason you should be up-front with your doctor about CAM is because, in some cases, some natural products can actually interfere with traditional medical treatments. For example, certain herbal supplements can interfere with some prescription drugs, such as birth control pills or antidepressant medication. That's why it's always best to see your doctor if you have a health problem and talk openly about any CAM you are using or might want to try.

As with modern medicine, CAM treatments that are effective for one problem will not help with all problems. Certain treatments are only used for certain problems, so if you want to try an alternative practice for a health reason, make sure it will help the specific problem you're looking to treat.

Traditional medical doctors are not only trained, they're licensed. But that's not always the case with CAM practitioners. Some states have licensing requirements for certain specialists, like acupuncturists and massage therapists, and many are expanding their requirements for licensing as CAM practices grow in popularity.

Finding a good CAM practitioner is still not as easy as looking someone up in a phone book. NCCAM recommends asking a health care provider for a referral, gathering information about the practitioner you are considering (such as training and licensing), and meeting with the practitioner to ask about the risks and benefits of treatment the same kinds of things you'd do if you were interviewing a new doctor.

You may have already used a complementary or alternative practice, like yoga or massage, and not even thought about it! Trying practices like meditation and breathing can't do any harm, but other CAM techniques may have consequences for people with certain health conditions. Even the more mainstream practices like yoga can hurt someone with a health condition like a back problem if they are not done properly. So check with your doctor before trying any CAM approach. Your doctor will try to guide you on which practices you can safely try while continuing with your current method of treatment.

Date reviewed: March 2014

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine - KidsHealth

"By definition", I begin"Alternative Medicine", I continue"Has either not been proved to work,Or been proved not to work.

You know what they call alternative medicineThats been proved to work?

Alternative medicine is any medical treatment that is not part of conventional evidence-based medicine, such as one would learn in medical school, nursing school or even paramedic training. Much, if not most, of the "alternative medicine" world lacks any scientific proof of its effectiveness, and that which does have real effectiveness, tends to be palliative[note 1] rather than curative. Any alternative medicine with scientific evidence behind it is simply called medicine.

The term "alternative medicine" is also a politically correct term for medical marijuana.

Alternative medicine includes "traditional medicines" (i.e. "medical" systems developed prior to or outside of "Western Medicine", such as traditional Native American remedies, or traditional Chinese medicine), "folk remedies" (e.g., herbalism, tinctures, and rubs that were commonplace "treatments" often passed around via urban legend), and an ever-growing class of "religious" or "spiritual" treatments that have their sources in Eastern religions, but are filtered through a pay-as-you-go, for-profit (see "New Age") mindset. These terms are still used today to describe the various substances of unclear efficacy sold for a profit through advertising. These cures are not always sold by malicious, deceptive con men. Many promoters are true believers, making their claims even more convincing.

And if you don't think it's real, or don't think people who have funding to spend notice it, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is run by the National Institute of Health.[2]

The rebranding of alternative medicine is analogous to the endless rebranding of creationism to try to evade the First Amendment, or the renaming of racialism to try and avoid the status of "racist". The original term, alternative medicine, was trivially unmasked as alternatives to medicine, and emphasized its being outside of scientific medical practice. There are many legitimate complementary therapies such as massage, counselling and so on, and by claiming to be part of this, rather than acknowledging its status as being apart from medicine, these rebrandings hope to gain a halo effect and imply a legitimate place in medical practice. The purpose is to gain greater acceptance, and hopefully funding, for pseudomedicine - a stalking horse for woo.[5]

Critics of alternative medicine have come up with some of their own terms for it:

Often holistic healers will convince their patients to forgo proper medical care, usually combined with misrepresentations of studies or emotional appeals, to undergo holistic therapies. Since there is no valid evidence that holistic therapies are capable of curing deadly ailments, this kind of malpractice is dangerous to offer patients.

All alternative medicine, even the "effective" therapies, have the danger of convincing an unwell person to forgo actual medical treatments because they think they are getting better (which can happen with palliative remedies and placebos) or they choose to trust their alternative practitioner who is offering a "cure". For example, a person with cancer may convince himself to try a homeopathic remedy. Also, many herbal remedies can actually interfere with prescription drugs, lessening their effect or even causing dangerous side effects. Since almost all alternative medicines are unproven, many advocates (known to some as "alties") tend to appeal to "health freedom", rather than actually try to prove that their nostrums work. Expensive homeopathic remedies sold at whole foods supposedly contain tiny bits of the molecules of the illnesses they are supposed to cure intended to promote the immune system of the user to fight whatever it is that the medicine is supposed to fight. In reality, they are tasty bits of sugar.

Many practitioners exploit vulnerable patients. They give false hope to people who are incurably sick and frequently charge high prices for useless treatments. The belief that alternative medicines are somehow "less risky" or "less harsh" than conventional medicine has led some to take alternative medicine over conventional actual medicine. While this may often be true (though don't say that to someone who's lost skin or body parts to black salves sometimes used for skin cancers), the potential health risks of not taking conventional medicine for an illness far outweigh the risks from the side effects of these medicines.

Often, alternative medicine practitioners claim that, unlike "allopathy", they help the body's natural self-healing powers. Yet many of them will describe anecdote after anecdote showcasing medical recoveries (involving such transitory things as colds) while seemingly refusing to believe that the disease could ever have gone away on its own. These recoveries must be due to whatever remedy they used. So on the one hand, they extol the healing powers of the human body, while at the same time denying that illnesses could ever go away by themselves or in other words, that the body could actually heal itself.

Alternative medicines or therapies range from being scientifically provable to scientifically disproven, and can be benign (and often ridiculous) all the way to downright dangerous. Medical science has only recently started to do quality and quantity research into alternative medicine. With the exception of some surprising and exciting treatments that have true medical potential, the vast majority of the therapies do little if anything beyond the placebo effect. Even when the treatment actually does something, the reasons given by practitioners for why the treatment is effective are almost never based on correct scientific information. Benign treatments have the advantage of not directly injuring a patient, other than money and at worst precious time going out the window. The ridiculous cannot possibly have any medical effects (beyond that of the placebo effect at best), or may be actively dangerous to the patient.

Holistic medical practitioners defend their treatments to the general public that there is documented proof that they work, but when faced with empirical evidence that does not support their claims, certain practicioners often state that holistic medicine cannot be readily tested by scientific means.

In other words: if it's not tested, then they think it works. Once it's tested, they'll tell you the test is wrong and it works.

When a student wants to become a physician, he or she must attend a certified medical school, pass rigorous medical exams, and participate in carefully monitored and regulated internships all regulated by the governmental bodies who license the doctor. For the majority of alternative medicine, no such regulation is in place. For a few specific alternative therapies like chiropractic work and massage therapy, regulatory bodies do exist. However, pretty much every other field of alternative medicine has no regulation at all. Call yourself a color therapist, and lo and behold, you are one.

There is also a lack of regulation in the products sold as "alternative" or "herbal" medicines. You cannot, for example, know what is in a "sleep healing tea", how much of each ingredient, how potent the pills are, or even whether it contains the listed ingredient(s) at all (many herbal products, in fact, do not contain the herb(s) listed on the label).[13] Also, as there is little scientific research, "doses" are always a guess. "Try one pill. If that doesn't work, take two."

Sometimes an alternative medicine supporter will present a scholarly work as "proof" that the alternative medicine works and is being suppressed by "regular" medicine. The problem is the work is either outdated, has been refuted by later research, or (worse) is misrepresented.

Weston Price's work on focal infection and nutrition is a prime example of this type of handwaving. Given what was known at the time his work was perfectly valid...for its time, which was 1939. The thing is the world as well as our understanding of both focal infection and nutrition have changed so drastically that Price's work would have to be reevaluated in a modern framework... something that really hasn't been done. The fact Price himself questioned the focal infection theory is also not brought up by either side or that what Price actually did and what his supporters claim he did (and was) are so different that it is a clear misrepresentation.

Homoeopathy serves as another example as supporters can point to K. Linde, N. Clausius, G. Ramirez, et al., "Are the Clinical Effects of Homoeopathy Placebo Effects? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials," Lancet, September 20, 1997, 350:834-843...while ignoring the refutiation in "The end of homoeopathy" The Lancet, Vol. 366 No. 9487 p 690. The Vol. 366 No. 9503 issue (Dec 27, 2005) and by 14 studies from 2003 to 2007.[14]

Colloidal silver was used as an antibiotic, germicide and disinfectant clear into the 1940s. Publications such as New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal (1907), The Journal of the American Medical Association (1918), The Journal of the American Dental Association (1934) all had articles regarding the uses and limits of colloidal silver. Antibiotics were far more effective (and safer) so the use of colloidal silver effectively ended.

In many respects this is the most dangerous form of alternative medicine as it cloaks itself in the garb of genuine medicine using scholarly publications to support its claims.

You can't neatly brush it all into the quack corner. Some of them work, but not all of them.

Manheimer 2003, which studied IV drug users, found that:[23]

Having a higher education and lower self-rated health were the two strongest predictors of CAM use, followed by having a regular doctor or clinic, being white and younger. There was a high level of self-perceived effectiveness of CAM therapies (4.1 on a scale of 1-5), and CAM users were likely to use CAM for reasons related to their addiction.

See the article here:

Alternative medicine - RationalWiki