Chapter 4 - Alternative to What? Flashcards
Underlying philosophies of OM
Uses scientific method. Bodily processes need to be understood at a chemical, cellular, tissue, and body-wide level. Body is connected as a whole and responds to the environment. The same physical and chemical laws apply within and outside the body.
The preferred way to avoid illness is…
prevention
Inability to maintain ______ -> illness
homeostasis
OM treatments are tested for _____ and _____ before being accepted for use.
efficacy and safety.
What types of cells and tissues can regenerate
Skin, bones.
CAM is marketed in the following ways..
Natural, helps body to heal itself, holistic, harnesses universal energy, safe&effective,
Criticism of OM
Money driven, adverse effects, rushed interactions, wait-times, not holistic, power asymmetry, not a “quick fix”, mistrust of pharma companies, successes leave patients impatient with failures, distrust of science.
The many mechanisms for maintaining certain cellular and body conditions within optimal ranges.
Homeostasis.
Examples of homeostasis
Body temp, pH, blood glucose, blood pressure, oxygen levels in blood.
How can we avoid disease causing agents?
Vaccinations, hygiene, clean water.
Level of government regulation for OM is…
high.
Body’s defensive mechanism against invaders
The immune system, in-house antibiotics, and fever.
In OM, medicines usually contain…
a certain amount of a single active compound, usually delivered at a specific dose.
Risk factors for disease
Smoking, sunburn, and disease causing agents.
OM interventions
Surgery, manipulation of body parts, psychiatry, radiation therapy, medicine.
Examples of illness prevention
healthy diet, exercise, minimal stress, social interactions/network, avoiding risk factors.
Response to “OM is not natural” argument.
OM is based on an understanding of how the body naturally works. Homeostasis is a natural phenomenon.
Response to “Nature is good and safe” argument.
Mother earth is not benign. It’s a war out there, not a love-fest. Many organisms produce compounds, poisons, to deter enemies. Many naturally occurring compounds are highly toxic to humans. A state of being “natural” doesn’t comment on safety or efficacy.
Response to “CAMs allow the body to heal itself” claims.
OM always helps the body to heal itself. Helping the body return to homeostasis is the basis of OM.
Response to “CAMs are holistic, and OM is not” claim.
The basis of OM is the integration of all parts of the body. OM adheres to chemical, physical, and biological processes observed in nature. Although it’s true that some CAMs have a spiritual element that OM does not.
A general response to “efficacy and safety” claims of CAMs.
Unsubstantiated claims are made and there is little to no policing.
Is it easier or harder to test claims that say CAMs “maintain” health rather than cure disease.
Harder, since it’s much harder to disprove.
What percent of people in developed countries are using CAM?
About half.
What percent of people use CAM as a replacement of OM?
Less than 5%
Reasons people might choose CAM
Want autonomy over health; curiosity; dissatisfaction with current delivery systems; side-effects of OM; mistrust of pharma and doctors; and a lack of access to OM.
Response to “OM is unholistic and cold” argument.
That was true, but OM is becoming much less mechanical.
Response to “OM overlooks the individuality of a patient” argument.
Might be true, but personalized medicine (identifying individual genes) is becoming important in OM.
