Chapter 4 - Alternative to What?

Question 1

Underlying philosophies of OM

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

The preferred way to avoid illness is…

Answer 2

prevention

Question 3

Inability to maintain ______ -> illness

Answer 3

homeostasis

Question 4

OM treatments are tested for _____ and _____ before being accepted for use.

Answer 4

efficacy and safety.

Question 5

What types of cells and tissues can regenerate

Answer 5

Skin, bones.

Question 6

CAM is marketed in the following ways..

Answer 6

Natural, helps body to heal itself, holistic, harnesses universal energy, safe&effective,

Question 7

Criticism of OM

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

The many mechanisms for maintaining certain cellular and body conditions within optimal ranges.

Answer 8

Homeostasis.

Question 9

Examples of homeostasis

Answer 9

Body temp, pH, blood glucose, blood pressure, oxygen levels in blood.

Question 10

How can we avoid disease causing agents?

Answer 10

Vaccinations, hygiene, clean water.

Question 11

Level of government regulation for OM is…

Answer 11

high.

Question 12

Body’s defensive mechanism against invaders

Answer 12

The immune system, in-house antibiotics, and fever.

Question 13

In OM, medicines usually contain…

Answer 13

a certain amount of a single active compound, usually delivered at a specific dose.

Question 14

Risk factors for disease

Answer 14

Smoking, sunburn, and disease causing agents.

Question 15

OM interventions

Answer 15

Surgery, manipulation of body parts, psychiatry, radiation therapy, medicine.

Question 16

Examples of illness prevention

Answer 16

healthy diet, exercise, minimal stress, social interactions/network, avoiding risk factors.

Question 17

Response to “OM is not natural” argument.

Answer 17

OM is based on an understanding of how the body naturally works. Homeostasis is a natural phenomenon.

Question 18

Response to “Nature is good and safe” argument.

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Response to “CAMs allow the body to heal itself” claims.

Answer 19

OM always helps the body to heal itself. Helping the body return to homeostasis is the basis of OM.

Question 20

Response to “CAMs are holistic, and OM is not” claim.

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

A general response to “efficacy and safety” claims of CAMs.

Answer 21

Unsubstantiated claims are made and there is little to no policing.

Question 22

Is it easier or harder to test claims that say CAMs “maintain” health rather than cure disease.

Answer 22

Harder, since it’s much harder to disprove.

Question 23

What percent of people in developed countries are using CAM?

Answer 23

About half.

Question 24

What percent of people use CAM as a replacement of OM?

Answer 24

Less than 5%

Question 25

Reasons people might choose CAM

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Response to “OM is unholistic and cold” argument.

Answer 26

That was true, but OM is becoming much less mechanical.

Question 27

Response to “OM overlooks the individuality of a patient” argument.

Answer 27

Might be true, but personalized medicine (identifying individual genes) is becoming important in OM.