What is the difference between traditional medicine and Western medicine?

What is the difference between traditional medicine and Western medicine?

How are integrative and traditional medicines different? Western or traditional medicine typically uses conventional therapies to help prevent and treat disease. These include lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, physical therapy or surgery. Complementary medicine uses different methods to promote health.

What is the relationship between traditional medicine and alternative medicine?

The NIH defines alternative medicine as non-mainstream practices that are used in place of conventional medicine. As such, alternative medicine, by definition, is not very common in the US. Complementary or integrative approaches, which bring traditional and non-traditional practices together, are becoming more common.

What are the side effects of alternative medicine?

The potential sensitizing capacity of numerous herbal remedies may lead to allergic contact dermatitis and more rarely to IgE-mediated clinical symptoms. Mechanical injuries may be observed following acupuncture leading to pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade or spinal injury.

How effective is complementary and alternative medicine?

Research shows that some complementary therapies are safe and effective when used with standard cancer treatment. Complementary therapies can help people cope with the side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments.

What is CAM complementary and alternative medicine?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard medical care. People with cancer may use CAM to: Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, pain, and fatigue.

What are the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine?

Why people use complementary or alternative therapies

• Using therapies to help you feel better.
• Reducing symptoms or side effects.
• Feeling more in control.
• Natural and healing therapies.
• Comfort from touch, talk and time.
• Staying positive.
• Boosting your immune system.
• Looking for a cure.

What is an example of complementary medicine?

Examples of complementary medicine include: Alternative health approaches such as traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Mind and body practices like acupuncture, massage therapy, and tai chi. Natural products like herbs, dietary supplements, and probiotics.

What are the risks associated with complementary medicine?

Side effects – complementary medicines can cause unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects. For example, the herb feverfew can cause uterine contractions and possible miscarriage in pregnant women. Drug interactions – complementary medicines can interact with over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Is alternative medicine scientific?

There is no alternative medicine. There is only scientifically proven, evidence-based medicine supported by solid data or unproven medicine, for which scientific evidence is lacking.

What are the alternatives to chemotherapy?

• Treatment 1: Surgery. Surgery is an option for most cancers other than blood cancers, with specialized cancer surgeons attempting to remove all or most of a solid tumor.
• Treatment 2: Immunotherapy.
• Treatment 3: Targeted therapies.
• Treatment 4: Active surveillance.
• Treatment 5: Supportive care.

Is it OK to delay chemotherapy?

Short, planned delays in chemotherapy for good-risk GCT patients (less than or equal to 7 days per cycle) appear to be acceptable since they may prevent serious toxicity in this curable patient population. Delays of longer than 7 days are strongly discouraged except in extraordinary life-threatening circumstances.

What should chemo patients avoid?

Foods to avoid (especially for patients during and after chemo):

• Hot, spicy foods (i.e. hot pepper, curry, Cajun spice mix).
• Fatty, greasy or fried foods.
• Very sweet, sugary foods.
• Large meals.
• Foods with strong smells (foods that are warm tend to smell stronger).
• Eating or drinking quickly.

How can I boost my immune system during chemo?

Here are eight simple steps for caring for your immune system during chemotherapy.

1. Ask about protective drugs.
2. Get the flu shot every year.
3. Eat a nutritious diet.
4. Wash your hands regularly.
5. Limit contact with people who are sick.
6. Avoid touching animal waste.
7. Report signs of infection immediately.
8. Ask about specific activities.

Can I eat yogurt during chemotherapy?

Keep a variety of protein-rich snacks on hand that are easy to prepare and eat. These include yogurt, cereal and milk, half a sandwich, a bowl of hearty soup, and cheese and crackers. Avoid snacks that might make any treatment-related side effects worse.

Why can’t chemo patients have ice?

You are being treated for cancer with a chemotherapy medication called Oxaliplatin. This medication has an unusual side effect called “cold dysesthesia”. This means that different parts of your body may be very sensitive to cold – cold drinks, cold food, and cool or cold outdoor temperatures.