Complimentary medicine

Question 1

Examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM)

Answer 1

• Herbal medicine
• Homeopathy
• Chinese medicine
• Vitamins and minerals
• Acupunture
• Meditation
• Aromatherapy
• Chiropractic
• Osteopathy
• Yoga

Question 2

How common is CAM in the UK?

Answer 2

• Approximately 80% of the UK population use CAM
• Homeopathy is available on NHS:
  
  • 60% of Scottish GP practices use homeopathic and or herbal preparations.
  • 60% of all cancer patients use or have used CA
  • 60% of all pregnant women in the UK use CAM

Question 3

Why do patients use CAM?

Answer 3

• Desire to have personal control over their own health
• Feel the alternatives are more congruent with their own values, beliefs and philosophical orientations toward health and life
• Perception that conventional medicine lacks/disregards an holistic approach
• Concerns about the side effects of prescribed medications
• Chronic symptoms
• Family and relatives use CAM

Question 4

Herbals/natural products

Answer 4

Herbal medicines include herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations and finished herbal products, that contain as active ingredients parts of plants, or other plant materials, or combinations.

• In the UK some herbal products are classified as food supplements or cosmetics and others as medicines
• All herbals contain active ingredients
• Many contain adulterants (compromises the safety or effectiveness of them) e.g heavy metals, bacteria or prescription medicines