Sunday, September 27, 2009

Alternative And Complementary Remedies For Obesity, Diabetes, And More

By Richard Ealom

Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical establishment that the National Institutes of Health has an whole agency allocated to scientific research into non-conventional treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative curative techniques, including natural treatments plus other practices mentioned below.

The term alternative medicine alludes to health care practices that are utilize in lieu of conventional medicine. as an example, using a special diet to treat malignancy in lieu of undergoing radiation or chemotherapy is alternative medication. Complementary medication is different from alternative medication. Complementary medication is used together with conventional medication. Using nutritional supplements for diabetes as well as mainstream medical treatment is an example of complementary medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a range of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used long-established Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medication and naturopathic medication are very recent alternative medical practices.

Mind-body medication utilizes techniques such as meditation, art, mental healing, and dance to enhance the mind's ability to affect the functioning and healing of the body. Clinical depression may responds well to these techniques.

Food supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies used in complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research shows that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and effective for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil can be used to treat arthritis, while ginger decreases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to research the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.

Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation involve moving certain parts of the body to re-set alignment, relax the body, and support curing ability. Energy medicine uses invisible energy fields for healing. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the utilization of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medicine. Reiki is a 20th century Japanese healing art in which the practitioner places his or her hands just above the body of the individual being treated. In addition to promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can give relief from the side effects of mainstream medical remedies such as radiation and chemotherapy.

NCCAM finances research on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting kids as well as adults. A lot of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen typically in adults have now become normal in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to prevention and treatment.

The NCCAM urges those who are using complementary, alternative, and natural treatments to tell their doctors. Doctors need to have knowledge about other remedies because of possible conflicts with traditional therapies. As an illustration, certain natural remedies interact with prescribe medicines and can produce unwanted sides effects.

There is yet another reason to talk about complementary and alternative treatments with physicians. Increasingly, doctors educated in traditional medicine appreciate the curative power of other approaches. Many are well-informed about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and cures as well as other non-traditional avenues of healing. - 14130

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