Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

Ever since the coronavirus spread across the world, suspicions have proliferated about what is really going on. Questions arose about the origins of the virus, the way it makes people sick, the mitigation measures taken, the suspended civil rights, the connection with 5G, possible cures and medications, and about the role of Bill Gates in it all.

These ideas are commonly framed as conspiracy theories. Yes, they may all distrust the mainstream narrative and share certain characteristics, but they are not one of a kind.

They take so many different forms and have such varying degrees of plausibility that I question how useful it is to bracket them all under the same banner. To understand and effectively respond to the various coronavirus conspiracy theories, we need to dig deeper.

Listen to our Expert guide to conspiracy theories, a series by The Conversations The Anthill podcast.

The dominant explanation for the popularity of coronavirus conspiracy theories is remarkably similar: these dark and unsettling ideas help people make sense of a complex and uncertain world. They provide sufficiently large explanations for tragic events, and give back feelings of agency and control.

Since these ideas sometimes have real-world consequences, from 5G masts set on fire to ignoring coronavirus mitigation measures, various commentators condemn these conspiracy theories. Officials now need not only fight a health pandemic, so their story goes, but an infodemic too.

The problem with the generalising approach is threefold. It does not account for the motivations of conspiracy theorists themselves; nor for the different forms and plausibility of the various conspiracy theories; nor for their relations with various political and societal issues.

Providing uniform explanations for conspiracy theories fails to seriously consider their contents or underlying concerns. Similarly, it leaves untouched how certain conspiracy theories are weaponised in various propaganda wars.

A closer look at these theories or even better actual engagement with the people propagating them, shows conspiracy theories not so much as a uniform coping strategy in unsettling times, but rather as a wide array of cultural expressions.

These include suspicions of planned efforts to impose mass vaccinations, doubts about the origins of the virus, expressions of disgust for the ruling elite, geopolitical insinuations, pointers to an inflated media panic, the scapegoating of certain societal groups (Chinese or Jews), critiques on the methods and measurements of COVID-19 symptoms and deaths, discontents with powerful philanthropists, worries about the expansion of authoritarian government policies, or concerns about corporate intrusion in the search for effective medications.

This means, as I argue in my recent book, that we need to focus on the meaning, diversity and context of different conspiracy theories, as well as the people who subscribe to them.

During my ethnographic research projects on contemporary conspiracy cultures, I encountered a wide variety of people, ideas, practices and communities. Because coronavirus conspiracy theories have yet to settle down, lets turn to some markedly different conspiracy theory subcultures that have been around for longer. They illustrate how different conspiracy theories and the people who subscribe to them can be.

Starting with the anti-vaccination movement of great concern to many. Because many anti-vaxxers in the western world are highly educated urban hipsters, it is difficult to reject them as ignorant deplorables.

Read more: Throwing science at anti-vaxxers just makes them more hardline

Next to critiques of Big Pharma, vaccine hesitancy is informed by holistic and naturalistic ideas about health and the body; ideas rooted in alternative medicine and New Age spiritualities. In these subcultural worlds, emotions, feelings, experiences, testimonies and social relations are often more important guides than scientific knowledge.

Rather different are those active in the 9/11 Truth Movement. Broadly interested in geopolitics and government cover ups, these people challenge the mainstream narrative of 9/11 with competing factual and scientific evidence. They advance visual proofs and mathematical calculations of why the towers could not have collapsed by the planes, but indicate controlled demolition instead.

These activists profess knowledge of physics, construction and explosives, and ground their legitimacy in this expertise. They are focused on exposing the official lies. Like true activists, they wish revolutionary change, to end the regime and illicit power structures responsible for 9/11.

The list of markedly different conspiracy subcultures could go on. Think of the Flat Earthers, who deploy various scientific methodologies and perform actual experiments in the outside world to show that it is not a globe but a Truman Show-like dome.

Read more: I watched an entire Flat Earth Convention for my research here's what I learnt

Favouring rational thinking and scientific methods is, however, no guarantee for brotherhood. 9/11 Truthers generally stay away from them as that would harm their credibility.

QAnon followers, meanwhile, deploy various strategies to interpret secret messages from their anonymous leader Q. These are known as crumbs or drops and are all part of their search for truth and redemption. Sharing many characteristics of millenarian New Religious Movements, QAnon followers anticipate a violent apocalypse when the conspiracy will be dismantled and followers will be vindicated.

This brief overview already shows the wide variety of themes, ideologies, plausibilities, origins, people and potential dangers of different conspiracy theory subcultures. Regarding conspiracy theories as one uniform category obscures all these differences and the various societal dynamics in which conspiracy theories play a role.

This inevitably leads to simplistic explanations. Further, it has the political effect of collectively stigmatising certain ideas and people and prematurely excluding them from legitimate political debate. Conspiracy theories are not uniform nor should our engagements with them be.

More:

Why we should not treat all conspiracy theories the same - The Conversation UK

Todays world is overwhelmed with the effects of addiction, whether it be physical, psychological or emotional. Most addictive habits take hold of a person as a way of coping with some pain that occurred earlier in a persons life. Many times, someone within the family, or close to the individual, betrays the individual in a hurtful or negative manner. Childhood is a very vulnerable time, and if a child cannot feel safe in his/her home or environment, then developing positive or negative coping mechanisms becomes common place.

Generally, the pain is too much to bare, and the means of coping which may develop into a habit, and become more common place the longer it is used to cope. As you may have heard it said, the addiction is not the problem, it has become the solution to the underlying problem. The concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences was extensively studied by Kaiser Permanente in 1998 to study how these experiences affect longterm health outcomes. It was found that children often experience a range of physical and psychological traumas that often have a negative impact on their life as time goes by. It was also found that just one Adverse Childhood Experience such as divorce of parents, alcohol or drug abuse in the home, or experiencing or witnessing violence can independently result in substance abuse in teenage or adulthood.

Many recovery programs developed for the treatment of drug and alcohol addictions have been formulated by dedicated healthcare professionals who are mindful of the need for Trauma Informed Care with consideration of the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, and the need to address issues at the root of the problem. An Integrated Holistic approach is a wonderful solution for the treatment of chemical addiction, whether Adverse Childhood Experiences are a factor or not. Approaching the patient in a holistic manner by treating the underlying cause of illness, condition, or addiction, as such, addresses the needs of the individual not his disease, illness or addiction.

The nutritional status of a person with a substance abuse addiction is most often very deficient. If a person eats a diet with inadequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and protein over a prolonged period of time, it becomes difficult to remain healthy. Research shows that restoring these nutrients to healthy levels can help addicts recover more effectively.(1) Recovering substance abusers often mistake hunger, irritability, nausea, headache, and/or dizziness for drug or alcohol cravings. Learning how to distinguish between the normal feeling of hunger and a craving for drugs helps a person in recovery to differentiate the difference, and overtime make healthier responses to these sensations. Nutritional therapy can be instrumental in helping the recovering addict feel up to making better eating habits and better life choices. Studies have implied that reducing sugar in the diet could make it easier for an opioid addict to withdraw from the drug.(2)

In addition to nutritional therapies and healthy eating counseling, many supportive therapies have been shown to be instrumental on a successful journey to restored health and recovery from substance abuse. One of the modalities necessary to assist in the recovery of substance abuse, especially in regards to Adverse Childhood Experiences, is consultation with an experienced psychotherapist. This is especially critical when there is past trauma standing in the way of recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing are therapies often used by counselors to assist the recovering person in healing from past traumas. The use of breath work and the practice of mindfulness have also been used to help a recovering person cope with day to day stressors as they move forward.(3)

A well rounded treatment for the recovery from substance abuse may also include therapies such as acupuncture, massage and yoga. These modalities have all been researched over the years, and have been shown to individually have positive effects on the central nervous system. In 1998, the Touch Research Institute said that "a program of regular therapeutic massage can result in a significant, lasting increase in dopamine levels." Dopamine is the feel good hormone; one definitely needed for recovery.

An Integrated Holistic Addiction treatment plan is a safe and effective way to recover from abusive drug and alcohol use. When treating the individual and not the addiction, by providing essential nutrients for healing and supporting emotional healing through the use of Integrated Psychotherapies, there is a increased chance for life long health and happiness.

References

(1) Houston, Reagan, Addiction Therapy for Drugs, Alcohol, Caffeine, and Sugar, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 21, 2014

(2) Alan Gaby, MD, Nutritional Treatments for Opioid Addiction, Nutritional Medicine.

(3) How Psychotherapy Works for Drug Addiction, drugrehab.org

Read more here:

A Place To Heal Wellness Center | Alternative Medicine - Fountain Hills Times

One medical research team in Israel believes they have a small piece to the coronavirus puzzle. In an exclusive interview with The Fresh Toast, Dr. Igal Louria-Hayon, head of the Medical Cannabis Research and Innovation Center at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel, says the healing properties in cannabis may be able to help the body fight against COVID-19.

Announced in May, Dr. Louria-Hayon and his team of researchers announced they would begin a clinical trial in studying how cannabis aids in inflammation within the body and if that could decrease the effects of COVID-19. One of the main causes of death with the disease is cytokines proteins that signal cells to turn on to fight that are released, causing the body to react in uncontrollable ways against the virus. As a part of the bodys endocrine signal process, once cytokines are turned on past their maximum, the proteins become difficult to control and can cause a shockwave of effects, leading to death.

In some studies, cannabis was proven to help regulate inflammation and cytokines, offering better signalling to the body. The goal of the upcoming study is to examine the receptors to which these substances bond, the cellular messages that are communicated and the extent to which cannabinoids reduce the inflammatory response.

Especially important to note, Dr. Shlomit Yehudai-Reshef, director of the Rambam Medical Research Institute, shared that her team was able to identify a key method to understanding the virus and the human bodys subsequent reaction: white blood cells. Despite the complexity and high risk, we found a safe way to separate the white blood cells, including the immune cells from verified patients, explained Dr. Yehudai-Reshef, clarifying that when the cells were separated, they were easier to study and manipulate.

FILE: University of Lethbridge researcher Igor Kovalchuk is leading a study on medical cannabis as a potential therapy for COVID-19. / Photo: Supplied.Summited photo

Yehudai-Reshef illustrated that when blood samples were accessible, they could continuously learn from the disease, its biological processes leading to the blood becoming a key factor in developing treatment.

In discussing his teams preliminary research and goals, Dr. Louria-Hayon answered the following questions.

How do these findings change the outlook in the healthcare community?

The current lack in scientific knowledge about cannabis spanning from taxonomies to clinical research has led us to the understanding that we need to change our attitude when examining this plant. By developing a rigorous system of analysis, such that discards anecdotal information and accidental findings, we aim to discover the clinical significance of the cannabis plants active components, he said.

With each and every experimentation determining the active mechanism and its effect on disease, we see the scientific community acknowledging the necessity to develop our understandings towards medicine. / Photo: iStock / Getty Images PlusiStock / Getty Images Plus

With each and every experimentation determining the active mechanism and its effect on disease, we see the scientific community acknowledging the necessity to develop our understandings towards medicine. The manner in which we conduct experiments in Rambam Medical Center is at a level in which our results will enable the healthcare community to practice the use of cannabis in informed and productive ways.

Do you think this will open the eyes of health practitioners to start looking to alternative medicine in these times?

Our current time dictates a state of emergency, a time that calls for innovative initiatives in various areas of expertise. In fact, we have seen and are still seeing different initiatives inaugurating during this time of plague in both technology and medicine. If this time of crisis requires unconventional treatments and creative minds, it is our task to encourage thinking outside the box. I believe that physicians treating COVID-19 patients who already found that conventional treatments are not clearly at hand, will turn to examine alternative care. It is, therefore, our task to provide the exact knowledge for novel treatment in this time of need.

It is only via collaborations that alternative treatments may prove not merely as potential solutions, but as care methods. / Photo: Bertrand Blay / iStock / Getty Images PlusBertrand Blay / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Have you spoken to/heard from doctors that this has changed their strategy?

What makes cannabis research at Rambam Medical Center unique, is the fact that we are literally situated at the heart of the hospital. The cross pollination between health doctors and researchers manifests in many ways, stemming from our use of clinical materials, to collaborations with doctors raising questions from the field of practice and joint research. These are, indeed, the very platforms we are establishing for the concrete use of our results, which will be made into treatment. As we are deep into research, it is only via these collaborations which are happening that alternative treatments may prove not merely as potential solutions, but as care methods.

The FreshToast.com, a U.S. lifestyle site that contributes lifestyle content and, with their partnership with 600,000 physicians via Skipta, medical marijuana information to The GrowthOp.

Want to keep up to date on whats happening in the world of cannabis?Subscribeto the Cannabis Post newsletter for weekly insights into the industry, what insiders will be talking about and content from across the Postmedia Network

Read the original post:

This doctors insight on treating the pandemic with cannabis - The GrowthOp

Abstract Market Research always aims at offering their users an in-depth analysis and the best research quantifiable material of the various industry. This new report on the Complementary And Alternative Medicine Market include Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts is dedicated fulfilling the requirements of the users by giving them full insights into the market.

Major Players in Complementary and Alternative Medicine market are

The prominent players of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Market are Columbia Nutritional Inc.; Herb Pharm; Herbal Hills; Helio USA Inc.; Deepure Plus; Nordic Naturals; Pure encapsulations, Inc.; and other wellness institutes like Iyengar Yoga Institute; John Schumachers Unity Woods Yoga Center; Yoga Tree; The Healing Company; and Quantum Touch Inc.

Download COVID-19 Impact on Complementary And Alternative Medicine Market Report Samplehttps://www.abstractmarketresearch.com/report/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-market#request-sample

Market Segmentation-

Intervention Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2019- 2027)

Distribution Method Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2019- 2027)

The Study Objectives of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Market Report are:

TABLE OF CONTENT

To conclude, the Complementary And Alternative Medicine market report mentions the key geographies, market landscapes alongside the manufacture and consumption analysis, supply and demand analysis, market growth rate, along with future forecast etc. This report also cover SWOT and PEST analysis, investment possibility and return analysis.

Read more here:

Complementary And Alternative Medicine Market Growth Powered with Latest Development Scenario and Influencing Trends by 2026 - Cole of Duty

On this page:BasicsComplementary TreatmentAlternative Treatment EffectivenessSide EffectsCancer Cure ScansDiet and Exercise

Youve seen the headlines about natural medicine trends, from yoga to supplements to diet and exercise fads. When it comes to cancer, you want to know what will help you safely regain your health during treatment and after. But there are loads of competing, sometimes-confusing info to sift through. What can you trust? Well, you can start with us here at HealthCentral: We went to the experts to learn all the science-based truth on complementary care for cancer.

First, lets clarify how cancer comes to be: Cancer occurs when abnormal cells anywhere in your body grow out of control, due to mutations in their DNA. Normal cells divide, age and die predictably, copying DNA as they go. Cancer cells, however, dont follow those rules. Rather than die off, they mutate, replicate, and form tumors.

Whats known as the primary site of your cancer is the spot where these cells start growing, and that organ or area determines the type of cancer you have. When cancerous cells journey through your blood or lymphatic system (the network of tissues and organs that flush out toxins, waste, and other undesirables), the areas they invade are metastatic sites.

Note that a cell can be abnormal without being cancerous (also known as malignant). It could be benign (not cancer), or precancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer). Through screening and testing, docs can determine exactly what youre dealing with.

That depends on what kind of cancer you have, what stage its in, and other factors. Treatment can include:

Doctors often try more than one treatment, spaced out over weeks and months, as they gauge how your body responds. Your doc might even start you on multiple treatments at the same time.

Youve probably heard of complementary care. Or maybe you know it as alternative care. You know a bit of what these treatments might include (youre thinking meditation, herbs, and maybe yoga?). But did you know that while complementary and alternative care are often lumped together (as CAM, Complementary and Alternative Medicine), theyre not the same?

Complementary medicine is used in addition to conventional cancer care. It can include products, practices, and healthcare systems outside of mainstream medicine. These methods dont cure cancer, but work in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments to help in a variety of ways, including pain management and emotional support. Many complementary medicine practices can be considered evidence-based medicine (scientifically studied in randomized controlled trials, the highest level of evidence that guides cancer care).

When complementary medicine works harmoniously with conventional medicine, its an approach known as integrative medicine, or integrated care, where physicians treat you holisticallymeaning caring for you as a whole patient, taking into account all facets of your cancer experience. These can include:

When integrative medicine is administered to treat cancer, its known as integrative oncology, a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care. It may include:

Alternative medicine, in contrast, is used in place of conventional medicine. Rather than going hand-in-hand with, say surgery and chemo, alternative medicine is done instead of those evidence-based cancer treatments.

A quick note: before you try any new approach during (and after) your cancer treatment journey, make sure to discuss it with your doctor.

If youve used or are considering using complementary medicine as a cancer patient, youre not alonea national survey found that 65% of respondents whod been diagnosed with cancer had used some form of it.

Theres good reason to explore complementary care if you have cancer. It can be part of your supportive carehelping where you need it, like soothing and calming your mind and body as you go through this challenging time. Indeed, research suggests that complementary medicine can assist by:

There are easily hundreds of complementary treatments for cancer, so weve selected a small sample to discuss here. Possibilities include:

Acupuncture: Theres substantial evidence that this ancient Chinese practice of using sterile needles to stimulate different areas of the body can help manage cancer treatment-related nausea and vomiting. It may also help relieve cancer pain and other symptoms, but theres not enough evidence yet to support that.

Herbs: Ginger, for instance, has been shown to help control nausea from chemotherapy when used with conventional anti-nausea medications. Just keep in mind that any supplements you consume can change your body physiologicallynothing you ingest is without the potential for adverse effects. For instance, herbs can impact blood sugar levels and the bloods ability to clot.

Massage therapy: Sure, it feels sublime, and it turns out to have additional benefits too: research suggests that massage therapy can help relieve some cancer symptoms including:

Just be careful not to have deep tissue massage near surgery sites, tumors, or any medical devices. And always tell your therapist about your cancer diagnosis.

Meditation: Mindfulness-based meditation has been shown to improve quality of life during treatment. How? Studies of cancer patients have revealed the following happiness-boosting benefits:

Supplements: Herbal supplements for cancer could potentially help manage side effects like nausea and vomiting, pain, and fatigue, but more scientific evidence is required to make safe decisions about the use of these supplements.

Yoga: Preliminary data of this ancient mind/body practice from India suggests that those who do yoga could see improvements in these areas:

Another benefit: It might help lessen fatigue in breast cancer patients and survivors. More study into the myriad benefits of yoga is needed.

Other approaches: These include hypnosis, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback, all of which might help manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, based on study results.

One thing to note about all of these approaches: they might not be covered by your health insurance. According to the American Cancer Society, major insurers, including Blue Cross and Medicare, are starting to cover some complementary treatments. On the list above, acupuncture is most commonly covered. Contact your insurer to see what complementary treatments, if any, are paid for. They might be able to direct you to local providers who are covered under your plan.

When the treatments we discussed earlier (and the hundreds of others that are offered) are used in place of conventional medicine, its known as an alternative treatment. Nearly 40%, or 4 out of 10 Americans, believes that cancer can be cured by alternative treatments, a 2018 survey of cancer patients and people without cancer, found. However, while research shows that complementary medicine can play an important role in conventional cancer medicine, the same hasnt been readily found for alternative treatment.

Case in point: in 2009, the Society for Integrative Oncology (the leading international organization for healthcare professionals and researchers working in the field of complementary therapies in cancer care) published guidelines for healthcare professionals when using complementary medicine.

The org reminded healthcare professionals and patients that unproven cancer treatment methods shouldnt be used in place of conventional options because delaying cancer treatment thats evidence-based and shown to work reduces the chance of remission/cure for cancer patients.

Its important to talk with your healthcare professionals about the risks of using alternative therapies so you can make an informed decision about whats best for your health.

There are definite side effects with CAM. You might think that because something is natural, its safe. But this isnt always the case. Arsenic is natural, for instance, but you wouldnt want to start taking it in large doses.

Another example: Chemotherapy has a multitude of side effects because it destroys both cancerous cells and healthy cells. Its been cited by many as harmful because its made from chemicals. But did you know, some forms of chemo come from nature? Three drugs (Vincristine, Vinblastine, and Vinorelbine) are derived from plant alkaloids and are made from the periwinkle plant (Catharanthus Rosea). Chemo drugs called taxanes (Paclitaxel and Docetaxel) come from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus).

Know too that just because something is sold, doesnt mean its been vetted or approved for usefor safety or qualityby the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA doesnt regulate vitamins and supplements, so the onus is on us to do our best to source safe, trustworthy products.

Its vital to tell your cancer healthcare team about every treatment and therapy youre using for your cancer, whether its receiving acupuncture for nausea, going to the chiropractor for pain, adding St. Johns Wort to your supplement regime to help manage depression, or getting a massage to feel better.

If youre reluctant to be open with your doc, youre not alone: 29% of cancer patients did not disclose their CAM practices to their providers, according to one study. Secret-keeping could be downright dangerous. Lets use these four seemingly innocuous examples to illustrate why:

Being open with your doc--both before you start a complementary treatment and while youre on it--is key to helping it complement, rather than detract, from the conventional care youre receiving.

When you have cancer, you of course want a cure (as quickly and painlessly as possible, please). But that desire can leave you vulnerable to fake claims, especially in the alternative medicine space. Both the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly warn the public about fraudulent cancer treatments.

It can be hard to spot the signs of snake oil. Without a medical degree, how can you be wise to empty promises? Youll often see the same language used in cancer CAM scams, according to the FDA. These phrases should raise a red flag that a treatment is just too good to be true:

Heres how you can protect yourself while receiving evidence-based integrated care:

You might be wondering now: with all this talk of complementary and alternative medicine, what about food? And diet? And exercise? What role does it play in all this? Is there a cancer diet that could be a complementary treatment?

Turns out, theres a strong body of evidence that a healthy diet and regular physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of cancer. The scientific literature links nutrition to cancer prevention based on specific physiologic pathways, including reducing inflammation, regulating hormones, and preventing oxidative stress. Even after a cancer diagnosis, by making smart choices about what they put on their plate, patients can:

Food has power. To wield it, the American Institute for Cancer Research and American Cancer Society recommends you:

As for physical activity? While you should talk to your healthcare team about what kind and amount of exercise is safe during treatment, The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has issued guidelines for physical activity for cancer survivors, suggesting 150-300 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Exercise is a real magic pill, helping to:

As you can imagine, all of these benefits that come along with being active are particularly important when youre trying to put cancer behind you. Resistance training, in particular, has been proven to improve:

Exercise, like so many CAM options, can help you both feel stronger and respond to treatment better. Just as with other types of complementary treatments, youll want to talk to your doc about how to integrate it, so you can reap the maximum benefits both from your lifestyle changes and your conventional cancer treatment.

Researchers have found that a healthy diet is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Even if you have cancer, it can help lessen the impact of side effects and improve your quality of life. Studies link nutrition to cancer prevention based on specific physiologic pathways, including reducing inflammation, regulating hormones, and preventing oxidative stress. All to say that food matters.

Heres the thing: there are therapies that can help you go into remission (the period when your signs and symptoms of cancer are reduced). And some healthcare professionals consider cancer cured if it hasnt returned after five years (also called complete remission). Treatments that achieve a complete remission/cure can include therapies that come from a natural source, like some forms of chemo, which are derived from plant alkaloids. But anyone promising a natural cure for cancer that doesnt have evidence to back up that claim is likely pedaling bunk.

As weve discussed, herbs can be excellent complementary treatment in oncology for things like nausea, but any claim of curing cancer should be tempered by evidence-based medicine results (meaning, proof to back up those claims).

The American Academy of Dermatology warns that black salve isnt as safe as you might think, stating that it has never been proven to work. An article on the AADs website cites reports of bad outcomes for people who tried to treat their cancer (including melanoma) using black salve. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against products that are touted as cures for cancer without evidence: The FDA urges consumers to steer clear of these potentially unsafe and unproven products and to always discuss cancer treatment options with their licensed health care provider.

Read more:

Alternative and Complementary Treatments for Cancer - HealthCentral.com

Los Angeles United States: QY Research always aims at offering its clients an in-depth analysis and the best research material of the various market. This new report on the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market is committed to fulfilling the requirements of the clients by giving them thorough insights into the market. An exclusive data offered in this report is collected by research and industry experts.

Key Manufacturers operating in the Report Are: , Columbia Nutritional, Herb Pharm, Herbal Hills, Helio USA, Deepure Plus, Nordic Naturals, Pure encapsulations, Iyengar Yoga Institute, John Schumachers Unity Woods Yoga Center, Yoga Tree, The Healing Company, Quantum Touch Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market report covers scope and product overview to define the key terms and offers detailed information about market dynamics to the readers. This is followed by the regional outlook and segmental analysis. The report also consists of the facts and key values of the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market in terms of sales and volume, revenue, and growth rate.

One of the important factors in the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market report is the competitive analysis. The report covers all the key parameters such as product innovation, market strategies of the key players, market share, revenue generation, latest research and development, and market expert views.

Access PDF version sample copy of this report :

https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1270159/global-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-market

global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market by Segment Type: , Botanicals, Acupuncture, Mind, Body, and Yoga, Magnetic Intervention Complementary and Alternative Medicine

global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market by Application: , Direct Contact, E-training, Distance Correspondence

Some of the important factors such as marketing strategy, industrial chain, factor analysis, cost analysis, distributors and sourcing strategy are included in this report which makes it an exclusive one. The aim of QY Research is to offer a comprehensive report. The report on global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market report is compiled by industry experts and properly examined which will highlight the key information required by the clients.

Regional Analysis

A section of the report has given comprehensive information about regional analysis. It provides a market outlook and sets the forecast within the context of the overall global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market. QY Research has segmented the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market into major geographical regions such as North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Potential new entrants wishing to target only high growth areas are also included in this informative section of the global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market.

Get full Report in your inbox within 24 hours at USD (3900):https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/d1ed2ba83e69ee12482874f5b37bbc48,0,1,global-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-market

Major Points from Table of Content:

Chapter One: Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Overview

Chapter Two: Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market Competition by application, by Players/Suppliers, and by Type

Chapter Three: North America Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Four: Europe Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Five: Japan Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Six: China Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Seven: India Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Eight: Southeast Asia Complementary and Alternative Medicine market (sales price, volume, and value)

Chapter Nine: Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market industrial cost analysis

Chapter Ten: Downstream buyers, industrial chain and sourcing strategy

Chapter Eleven: Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market Sales data and suppliers profiles/players

Chapter Twelve: Market effect factor analysis

Chapter Thirteen: Traders/Distributors, marketing strategy analysis

Chapter Fourteen: Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine market forecast (2020-2026) analysis

Chapter Fifteen: Conclusion and research findings

Chapter Sixteen: Annexure/Appendix

About Us

QY Research is a leading global market research and consulting company. Established in 2007 in Beijing, China, QY Research focuses on management consulting, database and seminar services, IPO consulting, industry chain research and custom research to help our clients in providing non-linear revenue model and make them successful. We are globally recognized for our expansive portfolio of services.

Excerpt from:

Current and Future Trend of Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market by 2026 - Cole of Duty

Kathmandu

Two weeks ago Sobha Rais husband bought a few packets of medicine as medicine for COVID-19. It turned out to be the homeopathic medicine Arsenicum Album 30C. And Rai has been consuming it as per the instructions on the label.

This medicine boosts your immunity and helps in the prevention of COVID-19 infection, shares Rai. The 54-year-old treated her cough with the homeopathic medicine the cough that didnt go away even after visiting many hospitals was cured after opting for homeopathy. That is why I believe it (Arsenicum Album 30C) will also work to boost my immunity to help prevent COVID-19.

On May 11, the Department of Ayurveda & Alternative Medicine (DOAA) had issued a guideline Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Guidelines of Preventive Measures and Management Protocol for COVID 19 in Nepal recommending Arsenicum Album 30C as one of homeopathys preventive measures for COVID-19 problems. The guideline also recommends preventive health measures, curative management and boosting immunity to fight COVID-19 the recommendations are based on Ayurvedic literature and scientific publications special reference to respiratory health in Ayurveda among others.

The initial distribution of Arsenicum by DOAA was followed by a rumour that it is the medicine for COVID-19, though no cure for COVID-19 has been discovered yet.

The DOAA had to issue a notice to not label this medicine as remedy for COVID-19 pointing out it is to be used as a measure to boost immunity to fight the disease and to prevent its symptoms, and as recommended by a homeopathic doctor or by the DOAA guideline.

A preventive measure

A cure for COVID-19 has not been found yet, and the only measure we have for now is prevention.

There are several ongoing clinical trialsf of both western and traditional medicines as per the World Health Organisation (WHO). It says it is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.

In such a situation, can alternative medicine or complementary medicine help in this fight?

Dr Vasudev Upadhyay, Director General of DOAA, stresses we have the medicine with us. That is our immunity.

So, his department felt the need to highlight preventive and curative measures against COVID-19 and manage its complications.

A point from the DOAA guideline states, In our context, we have Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Unani, Yoga & Naturopathy, and Sow-Rigpa, which is collectively known as Ayurveda and Alternative Medicines (AAM); ancient and traditional medicinal practices and compendia of huge medical knowledge including respiratory tract diseases can be tested to treat flu-like symptoms of the patients during this pandemic.

It also includes suggestions for using medicines and remedies that have herbs like tulsi, turmeric, garlic, ashwagandha to name a few, to follow a healthy lifestyle, and to practise yoga based on Ayurveda and some other alternative medicines.

These medicines have properties that can work as immunity booster. We can use them as preventive measures, adds Dr Upadhyay and shares that Ayruvedas first priority is to prevent a disease.

Dr Ambika Prasad Gyawali, VicePresident, All Nepal Homeopathic Association says the root of homeopathy is that it doesnt just treat the disease, it treats the patients. That means, it (homeopathic medicine) strengthens the immune system to fight off the disease in a human body it helps to treat the disease during the process of strengthening of the bodys immunity.

And Arsenicum Album, which according to him has been in use for more than 200 years, does the same it is used to treat many diseases including asthma, cough, pain, swelling (inflammation), among others. The DOAA guideline has listed it as one of the homeopathic prevention medicines that can be given according to the symptoms prevalent.

These medicines boost the immune system and could work against corona problems, the guideline adds.

Holistic approach

Alternative medicine is a more holistic way of looking at human health. It concentrates on lifestyle and other non-medical factors in addition to medical therapies. What kind of food you eat, how well do you sleep, exercise, how well is your state of mind, and your total environment matters a lot, explains Torakichi Akita, a Kai-therapist.

Eating more vegetarian food and also working on boosting your immune system, and ensuring good blood circulation with requisite oxygenation, how well have you been detoxifying your body, and how well you are at maintaining your stress and anxiety levels these are connected to the stability and vigour of your immune system. Then there is the pollution. If the environment is very bad, like in Kathmandu, then it can undermine the effects of an otherwise healthy lifestyle, Akita says.

Dr Upadhyay too believes in the benefits of incorporating time-tested herbs of Ayurveda or yoga practice like Pranayam into our lifestyle.

Swine flu was new earlier. COVID-19 is new now. Another one will come in five years. Such viruses will keep on developing in our environment. What we have to do is strengthen our immunity we can do that by adding herbal decoctions into our lifestyle, he shares.

Immunity is affected by physical, sensorial, mental or emotional issues, adds Director of Ayurveda Health Home Nepal Dr Rishi Ram

Alternative approaches to dealing with coronavirus Docs say our immunity is the best medicine to fight the virus, so boost it to the max Koirala. So, there is a need for deeper counselling and lifestyle coaching, and this is possible.

By raising your body temperature, avoiding junk food, deep breathing, Pranayama and Sudarshankriya, sleeping 8-10 hours, reducing stress, being around positive people, being in nature, all help in boosting your immune system, according to who Akita.

In this sense, there is no special cure for virus in alternative medicine. The danger of the virus is largely to elderly people whose immune systems are weak or people whose immune systems have been compromised by other diseases and by drugs used to treat these diseases as many drugs weaken the body and leave it vulnerable to various pathogens, reveals Akita.

He also points out that viruses and other microbes have helped shape the bodys immune system by enabling it to recognise pathogens and developing resistance. There are no effective preventive or curative remedies for many viruses in mainstream medicine. Historically it has been the body that has fought the virus through its immune system, which learns to recognise, identify and destroy the virus. So, it is very important to keep your immune system active at its highest level.

Dr Gyawali suggests an integrated approach. As per him, we can take allopathy and complementary or alternative medicine together using the specialities be it for COVID-19 or any other disease. Even the guidelines for curative management doesnt claim confirmatory curative management of COVID-19, while its preventive measures include directives like regular cleaning of hands with soap and water, or alcohol-based sanitiser, maintaining safe distance from others and the likes.

Follow The Himalayan Times onTwitterandFacebook

See the article here:

Alternative approaches to dealing with coronavirus - Himalayan Times

KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of RECARBRIO and other antibacterial drugs, RECARBRIO should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity to any component of RECARBRIO. See Selected Safety Information below.

Hospital-acquired infections continue to be a significant cause of illness and death despite advances in our understanding of the contributing factors and prevention of these diseases, said Dr. Keith Kaye, professor of medicine and director of research for the division of infectious diseases, University of Michigan Health System, and a principal investigator in the clinical program. Because these infections are often caused by difficult to treat Gram-negative organisms, new therapeutic options such as RECARBRIO are urgently needed for patients.

RECARBRIO is a combination of imipenem, a carbapenem antibacterial, cilastatin, a renal dehydropeptidase inhibitor, and relebactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Relebactam protects imipenem from degradation by certain serine beta-lactamases such as SHV (Sulfhydryl Variable), TEM (Temoneira), CTX-M (Cefotaximase-Munich), P99 (Enterobacter cloacae P99), PDC (Pseudomonas-derived cephalosporinase), and KPC (Klebsiella-pneumoniae carbapenemase).

The additional indication in HABP/VABP is based on results of the pivotal Phase 3 RESTORE-IMI 2 trial that compared RECARBRIO 1.25 grams (imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg/relebactam 250 mg) to piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5 grams (PIP/TAZ, piperacillin 4000 mg/tazobactam 500 mg), each administered intravenously every six hours for seven to 14 days, for the treatment of adult patients with HABP/VABP. RECARBRIO met the primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating non-inferiority to PIP/TAZ in 28-day all-cause mortality and clinical response at early follow-up, respectively. The RESTORE-IMI 2 study abstract was published by the 30th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID).

At a time of great public health concern about the need for new treatments to meet the evolving challenges posed by Gram-negative bacteria, we are proud to continue bringing new therapeutic options to health care practitioners in an effort to help them overcome the challenges in patient care, said Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis, senior vice president, clinical research, infectious diseases and vaccines, Merck Research Laboratories. Todays approval is further affirmation of Mercks steadfast commitment to meeting the needs of the health care community.

RECARBRIO is also indicated in adults who have limited or no alternative treatment options for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, as described below. RECARBRIO is administered via intravenous injection.

Clinical Data Supporting Use of RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) in HABP/VABP

The FDA approval of the use of RECARBRIO in HABP/VABP was based on the RESTORE-IMI 2 trial (NCT02493764), a Phase 3, multinational, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority study evaluating the efficacy and safety of RECARBRIO (imipenem 500 mg/cilastatin 500 mg/relebactam 250 mg) compared with PIP/TAZ (piperacillin 4000 mg/tazobactam 500 mg) in adults with HABP/VABP. In the study, 535 hospitalized adults with HABP/VABP in 113 trial sites were randomized 1:1 to receive a dose of RECARBRIO or PIP/TAZ, each given intravenously every six hours for seven to 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was incidence of all-cause mortality through Day 28 in the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population, which is defined as all randomized participants who received at least one dose of trial treatment and did not have only Gram-positive cocci on Gram stain of a baseline lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimen. The key secondary endpoint was clinical response at early follow-up (seven to 14 days after completing therapy) in the MITT population.

The mean age of patients in the study was 60 years, 43% of patients were 65 years of age and older, 31% were female, and 22% had polymicrobial infection. The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 15, and 48% of patients had an APACHE II score greater than or equal to 15 at baseline. Overall, 260 (49%) patients were ventilated at enrollment, including 194 (36%) patients with VABP and 66 (12%) patients with ventilated HABP. Concurrent bacteremia was present at baseline in 5.8% of patients.

RECARBRIO met the primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating non-inferiority to PIP/TAZ. For patients treated with RECARBRIO, 28-day all-cause mortality was 15.9% (42/264) and 21.3% (57/267) in those treated with PIP/TAZ, for a treatment difference of -5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -11.9, 1.2). Clinical response at early follow-up was 61% (161/264) for RECARBRIO and 55.8% (149/267) for PIP/TAZ group, for a treatment difference of 5% (95% CI: -3.2, 13.2).

In the subgroup of patients with ventilated HABP/VABP at enrollment, a favorable response in 28-day all-cause mortality was observed at 19.7% (24/122) for RECARBRIO and 30.9% (42/136) for PIP/TAZ, for a treatment difference of -11.2% (95% CI: -21.6, -0.5). In the subgroup of patients with non-ventilated HABP at enrollment, 28-day all-cause mortality was 12.7% (18/142) for RECARBRIO and 11.5% (15/131) for PIP/TAZ, for a treatment difference of 1.2% (95% CI: -6.8, 9.1).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 27% (71/266) of patients receiving RECARBRIO and 32% (86/269) of patients receiving PIP/TAZ. Deaths were reported in 15% (40/266) of patients receiving RECARBRIO and 21% (57/269) of patients receiving PIP/TAZ. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 5.6% (15/266) of patients receiving RECARBRIO and 8.2% (22/269) of patients receiving PIP/TAZ. The most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in 4% or greater of patients treated with RECARBRIO were increased aspartate aminotransferase (11.7%), anemia (10.5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (9.8%), diarrhea (7.9%), hypokalemia (7.9%), hyponatremia (6.4%), constipation (4.1%), pyrexia (4.1%) and rash (4.1%).

RECARBRIO was also studied in patients with cIAI, cUTI, and HABP/VABP caused by imipenem-nonsusceptible pathogens, in a non-inferential trial which used colistin (loading dose to achieve 300 mg colistin base activity, followed by maintenance doses up to 150 mg colistin base activity, every 12 hours) plus imipenem (500 mg every 6 hours) as the active comparator (RESTORE-IMI 1; NCT02452047). This trial, which included 47 patients, provided only limited efficacy and safety information.

Selected Safety Information about RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam)

Hypersensitivity Reactions: RECARBRIO is contraindicated in patients with a history of known severe hypersensitivity (severe systemic allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis) to any component of RECARBRIO. Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving therapy with beta-lactams. Before initiating therapy with RECARBRIO, careful inquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to carbapenems, penicillins, cephalosporins, other beta-lactams, and other allergens. If a hypersensitivity reaction to RECARBRIO occurs, discontinue the therapy immediately.

Seizures and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Adverse Reactions: CNS adverse reactions, such as seizures, confusional states, and myoclonic activity, have been reported during treatment with imipenem/cilastatin, a component of RECARBRIO, especially when recommended dosages of imipenem were exceeded. These have been reported most commonly in patients with CNS disorders (e.g., brain lesions or history of seizures) and/or compromised renal function. Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether RECARBRIO should be discontinued.

Increased Seizure Potential Due to Interaction with Valproic Acid: Concomitant use of RECARBRIO, with valproic acid or divalproex sodium may increase the risk of breakthrough seizures. Avoid concomitant use of RECARBRIO with valproic acid or divalproex sodium or consider alternative antibacterial drugs other than carbapenems.

Clostridioides difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD): Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including RECARBRIO, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.

Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Prescribing RECARBRIO in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Adverse Reactions: In the cUTI and cIAI trials, the most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in 2% of patients treated with RECARBRIO were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), headache (4%), vomiting (3%), alanine aminotransferase increased (3%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (3%), phlebitis/infusion site reactions (2%), pyrexia (2%) and hypertension (2%). In the HABP/VABP study, the most frequently reported adverse reactions occurring in 4% of patients treated with RECARBRIO were increased aspartate aminotransferase (11.7%), anemia (10.5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (9.8%), diarrhea (7.9%), hypokalemia (7.9%), hyponatremia (6.4%), constipation (4.1%), pyrexia (4.1%) and rash (4.1%).

About RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam)

RECARBRIO is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age and older with hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens.

RECARBRIO is also indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, caused by the following susceptible Gram-negative microorganisms: Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

RECARBRIO is also indicated in patients 18 years of age and older who have limited or no alternative treatment options, for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) caused by the following susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: Bacteroides caccae, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Parabacteroides distasonis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Approval of the cUTI and cIAI indications are based on limited clinical safety and efficacy data for RECARBRIO.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of RECARBRIO and other antibacterial drugs, RECARBRIO should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information is available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

About Merck

For more than 125 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the worlds most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit http://www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the company) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the companys management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the recent global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the companys ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the companys patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the companys 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the companys other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SECs Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Please see Prescribing Information for RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) at https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/r/recarbrio/recarbrio_pi.pdf

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200605005187/en/

See the original post:

FDA Approves Merck's RECARBRIO (imipenem, cilastatin, and relebactam) for the Treatment of Adults with Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator-Associated...

For years, alternative medicine has proven to be a controversial topic, to say the least. For so long, the western world especially has taken the view that alternative medicines are decidedly dangerous for use. The result has been that many of these alternative medicines - including CBD (or, cannabidiol) - have been categorised in the same group as illicit substances like cocaine, ecstasy, ice, and heroin. It is not fair, however that is the fact of the matter. While Chinese medicine has long embraced the advantages, benefits, and powers of alternative medicine, the western world has always lagged behind.

Until now, that is. A growing pool of research and studies over the years - and especially in recent years - has led to the readjustment of the legal status of alternative medicines like CBD. This is still very much a work in progress, however it is a work in progress that is making greater and more positive strides all the time. This is just the start and the best is yet to come. That is a point that is worth celebrating and encouraging forward. Even so, it is important to understand the journey up until this point so as to better understand the journey forward and beyond.

The shift in attitude towards alternative medicines

Recently - and especially over the last twelve months or so - we have seen a tremendous amount of growth and overall acceptance for the fact that alternative medicines are not as bad for us (if they are bad at all, which, spoiler alert, most of them truly are not) as we have been led to believe for quite some time. The growing pool of research and studies caters to the fact that we are finally experiencing and seeing a shift in attitude towards alternative medicines that is opening the gateway for a healthier and more positive future for medicine altogether.

Alternative medicine businesses getting more funding

We are finally seeing alternative medicine businesses get the funding that they have always deserved. CBD oil is just one example of the tremendous power of research and studies. In recent years especially, there has been a growing pool of research and studies that have all proven to be a testament to the fact that CBD is a positively powerful natural treatment for many aches and pains that the body and even the mind can go through. In fact, the CBD market is expected to reach a global value of $20 billion by the year 2024. That is a massive prospective growth and it speaks volumes of the power and promise in alternative medicine.

What this means for the future and beyond

Heading into the future and beyond, we are going to keep seeing alternative medicine businesses continue to take their place on centre stage, getting the funding and recognition that they have always deserved. This is just the start, however it is a start that is gaining more and more momentum all the time. The era of alternative medicine is just now getting started. The best is yet to come and that is a point to celebrate and encourage onward and upward.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes

Original post:

Funding for alternative medicine businesses on the rise around the globe - EconoTimes

Written by Tabassum Barnagarwala | Mumbai | Updated: June 5, 2020 10:25:00 am Arsenicum Album is prescribed for various common illnesses. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

A homoeopathic drug, Arsenicum album 30, has become a subject of debate after several states recommended it for prophylactic (preventive) use against Covid-19. This was after the Ministry of AYUSH listed the drug among preventive and prophylactic simple remedies against Covid-19.

The debate stems from the fact that there is no scientific evidence that the drug works against Covid-19, a fact stressed not only by medical scientists but also by some homoeopathic practitioners themselves.

Read this story in Bangla

Arsenicum album 30 has been recommended by the state governments in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. While the Maharashtra government is yet to take a formal decision, Mumbai civic authorities have been distributing the drug to high-risk populations in at least two wards. The Haryana prisons department and Mumbai police too are also distributing the drug to prisoners and officers respectively.

Even in states that have no protocol for using the drug against Covid-19, there have been reports about people flocking to homeopathic clinics to buy Arsenicum album, sometimes at triple the cost. Even local chemists have started stocking this medicine.

The drug

Arsenicum album is made by heating arsenic with distilled water, a process repeated several times over three days. The health hazards of arsenic contamination in water are well known: long-term exposure to the metal can cause skin cancer, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. The homoeopathic drug has less than 1% arsenic, said Dr Amrish Vijayakar of Predictive Homoeopathy Clinic in Mumbai.

Arsenicum album is considered to correct inflammation in body. It takes care of diarrhoea, cough and cold, he said. A small bottle with one course costs Rs 20-30.

Professor G Vithoulkas writes in an article published by the International Academy of Classical Homeopathy that Arsenicum album is used commonly by homeopaths to treat anxiety, restlessness, cold, ulcerations, burning pains. It is taken in powder form or as a tablet.

Dont miss from Explained | Can alternative medicine work against the coronavirus?

The Covid-19 context

On January 28, at its 64th meeting, the Scientific Advisory Board of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) opined that Arsenicum album 30 could be taken as prophylactic medicine against Coronavirus infections. The CCRH released a fact sheet stating this medicine is only a possible prevention against flu. The following day, the Ayush Ministry recommended taking the medicine for three days on an empty stomach and repeating the dose after a month if an outbreak continues locally.

On March 6, by when India had recorded five Covid-19 cases, Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary in the Ayush Ministry, wrote to all chief secretaries listing out preventive and prophylactic measures. His letter recommended a three-day dose of Arsenicum album 30 as a prophylactic. The following day, the Ministry released another notification with preventive and prophylactic simple remedies against Covid-19-like illness and listed Arsenicum album 30 as a homeopathic solution.

Arsenicum album 30, daily once in empty stomach for three days. The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule till Corona virus infections prevalent in the community, the letter said.

For symptom management, the letter listed Arsenicum album among various homeopathic treatments, including Bryonia alba, Rhus toxico dendron, Belladona and Gelmesium. Homeopathy has reportedly been used for prevention during the epidemic of cholera, Spanish influenza, yellow fever, scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid, etc, it said.

Read| Ayurveda medicine approved for clinical trials on COVID-19 patients

The letter said during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, an expert committee in the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended it is ethical to offer unproven interventions with as yet unknown efficacy and adverse effects, as potential treatment on prevention keeping in view no vaccine or anti-virals were available.

Following the Ministrys recommendations, various state governments and district authorities have started distributing the medicine, in some cases free.

The Central Drug Standard Control Organisation last month issued a notification allowing private practitioners to try alternative remedies like Ayurveda and homoeopathy to treat Covid-19.

Wheres the science?

Dr Balram Bhargava, director of the Indian Council of Medical Research told The Indian Express, We have issued no guidelines regarding the medicine.

The WHO has no guidelines on using Arsenicum album as a Covid-19 treatment either. No evidence that it works, WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan told The Indian Express.

The Maharashtra government has set up a task-force to evaluate the homoeopathic drug and decide whether it should be used against Covid-19. Its members said they remain undecided. Dr Archana Patil, joint director in the Public Health Department, said Maharashtra is allowing the drugs use as an immunity booster, like vitamin C tablets, but not encouraging it as a prophylactic. There is no scientific evidence that it works as prophylactic. So, we are not encouraging it universally for everyone, she said.

Mumbai corporator Alpa Jadhav remembered seeing locals roaming around her area one day, although the lockdown was in effect. They said they had taken Arsenicum album. It was scary; they believe this medicine can save them from coronavirus.

Concerns within the field

With no clinical trial or large-scale study having been undertaken anywhere to scientifically validate the use of Arsenicum album 30 as a preventive medication, the massive demand has worried some homeopaths, too. Dr Vijayakar said their organisation has written to the Ayush Ministry asking why no trial has been conducted to assess its efficacy before recommending it.

Express Explainedis now onTelegram. Clickhere to join our channel (@ieexplained)and stay updated with the latest

The Ayush Ministry has based its recommendation on existing use of the medicine for respiratory illness and influenza. Several homeopaths have pointed out that each individual reacts differently to homeopathic medicines and one medicine cannot be universally held as a prophylactic for all. It can only be a part of the treatment, if at all, said Dr Bahubali Shah, a homeopathy practitioner.

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest Explained News, download Indian Express App.

The Indian Express (P) Ltd

More:

Explained: The debate over homoeopathic drug Arsenicum album 30 - The Indian Express