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CONVENTIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINEChapter 15

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SELF-CARE

Self Assessment Symptoms are often an expression of the body’s

attempt to heal itself. Carefully observing symptoms lets you identify

those signals that suggest you need professional assistance. Body’s vital sign

Temperature Heart rate

Medical self-tests Blood pressure Blood sugar Pregnancy detection Urinary tract infections

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KNOWING WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN See a physician for symptoms that you would describe as follows:

1. Severe2. Unusual3. Persistent4. Recurrent

Emergencies include the following:1. Major trauma2. Uncontrollable bleeding3. Intolerable and uncontrollable pain4. Severe shortness of breath5. Persistent abdominal pain6. Poisoning or drug overdose7. Loss of consciousness8. Stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation9. Severe or worsening reaction to an insect bite or sting or to a

medication 3

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SELF-TREATMENT: MANY OPTIONS Watchful waiting Non-drug options Self-medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs Simple guidelines to self-medication safely:

1. Always read labels2. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or length of

treatment3. Use caution if you are taking other medications4. Try to select medications with one active ingredient 5. Try to buy generic drugs6. Never take or give a drug from an unlabeled container7. If pregnant or nursing8. Expiration date9. Store your medications in a cool, dry place.10. Use caution with aspirin 4

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FIGURE 15.1 READING AND UNDERSTANDING OTC DRUG LABELS

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PROFESSIONAL CARE

System of broad network of professionals and organizations, including: Independent practitioners Health care providers Hospitals Clinics Public and private insurance programs

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) Most commonly used CAM therapies:

Relaxation techniques Herbal medicine Massage Chiropractic 6

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CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

Premises and Assumptions of Conventional Medicine Western medicine is the belief that disease is caused by

identifiable physical factors. Identifies:

Pathogens Bacteria or viruses

Genetic factors Unhealthy lifestyles

Based on scientific method of obtaining knowledge Empirical Rational Testable Parsimonious General Rigorously evaluated Tentative

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THE PROVIDERS OF CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE Medical Doctor (MD) Doctors of osteopathic medicine (OD) Podiatrists Optometrists Dentists Allied health care providers:

Registered nurses (RN) Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) Physical therapists (PT) Social workers Registered dietitians (RDs) Physician assistants (PA) Nurse practitioners Certified nurse midwives Certified Athletic Trainers’ (ATCs)

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CHOOSING A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN

Begin making a list Check insurance limits Ask for recommendations

Family, friends, coworkers, local medical societies, and the physician referral service

Once you have a list of physicians, call their office and find out some information: Is the physician covered by your insurance plan? What are the office hours? Which hospitals does the physician use? How many other physicians are available to cover? How long does it usually take to get an appointment? Does the office send reminders for check-ups? Does the physician give advice over the phone? 9

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEDICAL CARE The physician-patient partnership Your appointment with your physician The diagnostic process

Physical exams Diagnostic testing

X-rays Biopsies Blood and urine tests Scans Endoscopies

Medical and Surgical treatments Prescription medications

Off-label drug use Online pharmacies Costs

Surgery Elective surgeries

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COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

CAM tends to focus on an integration of mind, body, and spirit in seeking ways to restore the whole person to harmony

Alternative Medical Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Harmonious flow of qi (pronounced “chi”) produces health

Acupuncture QI is believed to flow through the body along several

meridians (pathways) Homeopathy

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NweGEgup74Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGRXp9a2Eek

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MIND-BODY INTERVENTIONS

Intervention make use of the integral connection between mind and body Meditation Yoga Visualization Taijiquan Biofeedback

Hypnosis

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmScnjv6cA

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BIOLOGICAL-BASED THERAPIES

Consist primarily of herbal therapies or remedies, botanicals, and dietary supplements

Pharmacopoeia (A book containing an official list of the drugs used in medicine together with information about their purity, and physical and chemical properties)

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MANIPULATIVE AND BODY-BASED METHODS

Touch and body manipulation are long-standing forms of health care.

Manual healing is based on the idea that misalignment or dysfunction in one part of the body causes pain or dysfunction in another part

Chiropractic medicine

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ENERGY THERAPIES

Forms of treatment that use energy originating either within the body (biofields) or from other sources (electromagnetic fields)

Qigong Therapeutic touch Reiki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ammo6-Vje6s

Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies

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EVALUATING COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

Working with your physician Area to discuss

Safety Effectiveness Timing Cost

Questions the CAM practitioner Why he or she thinks the therapy will be beneficial Describe in detail any conventional treatments you are

receiving Ask how long the therapy should last Ask about the expected cost of the treatment

Doing your own research 16

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THE USE OF CAM IN THE US.2004 REPORT BY NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (NCCAM) & NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS (NCHS)

36% of Americans use CAM

WHO USES CAM THE MOST?

Women more than men People with higher education People who have been hospitalized in past year Former smokers (more than current or never smoked)

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PAYING FOR HEALTH CARE

The current system: Combination of private and public insurance plans,

patient out-of-pocket payments, and government assistance.

Health insurance Traditional fee-for service (indemnity) plans Managed-care plans

Health maintenance organizations (HMO) Preferred provider organizations (PPO) Point-of-service (POS) plans

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Governmental programs

Medicare Medicaid

Choosing a policy20

CONNECT ASSIGNMENT Chapter 15 Connect Assignment Due Tuesday,

April 20th