Exam #2: CAM - Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Flashcards
What is integrative medicine?
A combination of conventional medicine and alternative medicine
What are the principles of integrative medicine?
1) Holisitic care
2) Active learning
3) Natural healing
4) Prevention
What is holisitic care?
Treating the whole person: bind, body, and spirit.
What is the principle of active learning?
Seeing yourself as a teacher/ facilitator in practice; the patient actually produces healing
What is natural healing?
Recognizing the body’s ability to heal itself
What are some of the therapies that fall under the label of “integrative medicine?”
1) Natural products
- Herbs and supplements
2) Mind-body interventions
- Meditation
- Yoga
3) Manipulative and body-based methods
- Osteopathy
- Massage
4) Movement and energy therapies
- Pilates
What is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Healthy?
This is a branch of NIH that researches complementary and integrative health
What is the whole medical systems part of the NCCIH - NIH?
This is where the site lists opinions on schools of thought e.g.
- Traditional Chinese med.
- Ayurvedic medicine
What are the top five most common complementary and integrative therapies?
1) Natural products
2) Deep breathing
3) Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong
4) Osteopathic medicine
5) Meditation
What are the top four most common natural products?
1) Fish oil/ omega 3
2) Glucosamine
3) Echinacea
4) Flaxseed oil
What is the most important thing to remember about natural products?
SAFETY
- Fall under the umbrella of “dietary supplements” i.e. no FDA regulations
- Manufacturer does NOT have to prove effectiveness
- Dose extremes
- Fillers
What are the two main NIH safety concerns about natural products?
1) Drug interactions
2) Product contamination
- Drugs not listed
- Common allergens not listed
What are the “NIH Top 6?”
1) Check with your doctor for alt. medicine recommendations
2) Find out as much as you can about the provider
3) Is the new provider willing to work with your conventional provider?
4) Has the provider worked with problems like yours?
5) Don’t assume insurance will cover costs
6) Keep all providers UTD
What are alternative sources of omega 3’s aside from fish?
- Plant foods
- Flax seeds
- Walnuts
What diseases has Omega 3 been shown to improve?
- CAD
- Depression
- HTN
- Lipids
- RA
May improve cognitive function
What are some of the adverse consequences of fish oil/ omega 3 fatty acids?
1) High dose increase risk of bleeding
2) Increased blood glucose
3) Heavy metal and toxin contamination
What part of garlic gives it it’s health benefits?
Allicin
What is garlic used to treat?
- HTN
- CAD
- Hypercholesteremia
What is an adverse effect of garlic?
Bleeding–use with caution in patients already on blood-thinners
What is glucosamine used for?
OA
Note that glucosamine has LESS side effects than NSAIDs
What is a major allergen concern for glucosamine?
Comes from SHELLFISH
What is a common side effect of Glucosamine?
Reduction in the effectiveness of hypoglycemia drugs
What has research shown about Echinacea use for flu?
Ongoing NIH studies have shown it to be as efficacious as Tamiflu
What are side effects of Echinacea?
May cause:
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma flares
What can a side effect of Flexseed be?
Absorption interference with other medications
What has Ginseng been used to treat?
- Reduce fatigue in cancer
- Antioxidant in heart disorder
- Improves thinking and sleep
Note that short term use is recommended
What re the beneficial components of Ginkgo?
- Flavonoids (antioxidants)
- Terpenoids (vasodilator)
What are the side effects/ interactions of Ginkgo?
1) Thiazide diuretics
2) ASA
What has Coenzyme Q10 been used to treat?
- Improvement of heart disease
- HTN
- CHF
- PD
What is Saw Palmetto used for?
BPH
What do you need to be cautious about with Saw Palmetto?
Will cause INCREASED bleeding time
How can you help your patient protect themselves with alternative medicine?
1) Information investigation- lead them to the best sources
2) Check YOUR attitude
3) Look for COMPLEMENTARY therapy, not complete replacement
What are the general classes of medications that you should be especially wearing of prescribing supplements with?
- Anti-coagulants
- Arrhythmic
- Anti-convulsants
- Meds to prevent organ rejection
