Navigating Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Guide for Informed Health Choices

1. 23 Complementary and Alternative Medicine: New Choices and Responsibilities for Healthwise Consumers

2. Objectives • Describe complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); explain why it is growing in popularity and who is most likely to use it. • Describe major types of CAM providers and common treatments they offer. • Discuss various types of CAM being used in America today. • Explain how to evaluate testimonials and claims related to CAM products and services. • Discuss challenges and opportunities related to CAM.

3. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) • Complementary medicine – therapies used together with conventional medicine • Alternative medicine – used in place of conventional medicine • Conventional medicine is practiced by holders of M.D. or D.O. degrees and by allied health professionals

4. Historical Perspectives • 25% of all pharmaceutical drugs are derived from herbs • The emergence of CAM in the U.S.: • Prior to 1990 little was known about who was using CAM • 1993 – study showed that 1 in 3 Americans sought some form of alternative care • 1997 – another follow up study revealed that 47% of Americans were using some form of CAM

5. Major Domains of CAM • Biologically based practices • Energy medicine • Manipulative and body-based practices • Mind-body medicine

6. Who Uses CAM? • 2004 survey results: • More women than men • Higher education levels • Hospitalized in the past year • Former smokers • Back, neck, head, or joint pain suffers • Gastrointestinal disorders or sleeping problems

7. Table 23.1 Popular Complementary Treatments Table 23.1

8. Alternative Medical System Options • Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda • Homeopathy • Naturopathy

9. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods • Chiropractic medicine • Osteopathic medicine

10. Energy Medicine • Qi gong • Reiki • Therapeutic touch • Acupuncture • Acupressure

11. Mind–Body Medicine • Body work • Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

12. Herbal remedies: Ginkgo biloba St. John’s Wort Echinacea Green tea Ephedra Special supplements: Muscle enhancers Creatine Ginseng Glucosamine Chromium picolinate SAMe Antioxidants Biologically Based Practices

13. Food as Healing Agents • Nutraceuticals – foods with combined nutritional and pharmaceutical benefit • Some healthful foods: • Plant stanol • Oat fiber • Sunflower • Soy protein • Red meats, dark green, leafy vegetables • Garlic • Green tea • Ginger • Yogurt

14. Protecting Consumers and Regulating Claims • Many CAM products are not regulated in the U.S. as strictly as food or drugs • Strategies to protect consumer’s health: • Talk to your physician • The German Commission E • Use science for more answers about CAM

15. Figure 23.3 Assessing the Risks and Benefits of CAM Treatments Figure 23.3

16. Healthy Living in the New Millennium • Enlisting support from insurers and providers: • More and more insurers are covering alternative medicine • Extra-cost riders may be added to some policies to cover alternative medicine • Increasing support from American Medical Association

17. Self-Care: Protecting Yourself • Be an informed consumer • Consult with health care provider • If using CAM, inform your primary health care provider • Choose CAM practitioners carefully • Consult only reliable sources • Natural does not always mean safe • Herbal supplements are not closely monitored by FDA • Herbal supplement dosage levels are not regulated