It ain't going away...

A recent Stamford Advocate article discusses the medical community’s recent acceptance of alternative medicine.

Just a decade ago, many Americans had never heard of integrative medicine, also known as alternative or complementary medicine, yet in a short time, holistic treatments have affected the way hospitals care for their patients.

It’s exciting to me to think about how quickly alternative medicine has gained popularity. Just a few years ago, many people hadn’t heard of it and thought of it as, more less, a joke. Its popularity corresponds with the rising cost of health care—people are obviously looking for an alternative to expensive medical treatments. The medical community, who has consistently rejected alternative treatments, has now become aware of the growth of the trend, and is integrating ways for alternative practices to “complement” traditional medicine.

The article presents statistics that reflect the acceptance of alternative practices.

A November 2007 survey by the American Hospital Association found that 37 percent of responding hospitals offered one or more integrative therapies for patients or staff.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the percentage of medical schools offering a required course in integrative medicine increased from 26 percent in 2001 to 91 percent for the graduating class of 2009.

Brodsky, the doctor interviewed in the article, says the success of his center, Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine, “lies in the doctors' and nurses' focus on more than just treatments.”

And because the center is operated in conjunction with the hospital, its treatments are intended to complement any traditional medicine patients may be undergoing. Patients are also encouraged to be open with their physicians about holistic care, since the hospital has come to accept this type of care as legitimate treatment.

Stamford Hospital represents a new wave of medicine or the future of medicine. Soon many more hospitals will offer alternative treatments as the demand for such practices increases across the country.

It’s all in the numbers. If you’re not a fan of alternative medicine, it’s too bad. Get over it because it’s not going anywhere. It’s only going to spread—like an epidemic.

For patients' sake

The news site Timesunion.com published an article today discussing the fact that many patients are weary of telling their doctors about their use of alternative medicine.

While two-thirds of Americans older than age 50 use alternative medicine, most of them keep it to themselves, according to a survey conducted by NIH's Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the AARP. The survey found that patients didn't tell their doctors about the alternative medicines they were using because the doctor never asked, they didn't know they should or they were embarrassed.

Alyssa Cotler, a public health adviser with the NIH, told the Times Union, "They were afraid their doctors were going to dismiss the use of (complementary and alternative medicines) so they didn't bring it up."

The medical community has been so critical of alternative medicine that people, feeling estranged and embarrassed, are left with no choice but to be dishonest with their health care providers about other treatments they may be seeking out. As a result of this, at least, the medical community is beginning to embrace alternative treatments, in hopes of encouraging an open and honest relationship between patients and physicians.

The article also discusses how as alternative therapies grow in popularity in the United States, medical curriculums are changing to provide an opportunity for new doctors to learn about such treatments. “Medical students get a taste of alternative therapies in several classes and learn how to ask patients about nontraditional medicines in their clinical skills class.”

The medical community and many individuals make the mistake of believing that alternative medicine is a new trend. Several of these therapies have been practiced for centuries. Dudley Moon, a biology professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy, told the Times Union, “The idea is to give the pharmacy students broad exposure to what we would call alternative medicine, though in other parts of the world they would be called routine."

Which is why it is so essential for physicians to be aware of any alternative treatments patients may be undergoing. The article discusses government officials’ concerns about potential interactions between drugs that doctors prescribe and natural supplements a patient may be taking.

The medical community encourages an open and honest relationship between patients and health care providers by accepting alternative medicine as a reasonable treatment, even if it means some doctors will have to bite their tongues. Accepting these therapies, or pretending to for the time being, will create a better awareness and understanding of how alternative medicine affects traditional medicine, which could perhaps lead to the advancement of both types of practices.

Hispanics embrace naturopathy

Newsday recently published an online article discussing the growing popularity of alternative medicine among Hispanics. Dr. Melissa Robinson, a 2003 graduate of The National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, said she discovered early in her practice, that Hispanics were drawn toward this type of medicine, and Hispanics now make up the majority of her patients.

Robinson's business, Natural Solutions for Health, uses a variety of alternative treatments including nutritional counseling, diet and exercise planning, thermal massage and dietary supplements. She implements these practices to heal the body without prescription drugs or invasive surgeries.

Robinson's philosophy of using herbs and natural cures is one that many people from Latin America are quick to embrace, said Ingrid Fallaque, Robinson's translator and intermediary with the Hispanic community. Many Hispanics are familiar with natural remedies from their own countries and feel more safe using them than taking pills, said Fallaque, who is from Peru.

Robinson said the philosophy of naturopathic doctors focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Robinson did say, however, that since some insurance companies do not cover her work, she often has trouble connecting her patients with low-cost access to specialists for X-rays, blood work, MRIs and other services.

It comes as no surprise that minorities are picking up on alternative medicine, since it’s often more cost efficient for lower income individuals than traditional medicine. As health care costs continue to rise, it is likely that lower-income individuals and those without health care coverage will begin to rapidly embrace this type of treatment, as they have already. The rising cost of health insurance is likely to stimulate business for those who practice alternative treatment.

"I feel like we're really fulfilling a need in the community," Robinson said. "They're helping me, so I can build this business."

Shielding ourselves from sickness

It’s that time of year again—cold season, and according to a recent article, students who are cramped in small living quarters are often the primary victims of the airborne common cold.

Instead of traditional medicine, Priya Raj investigates how alternative medicine could ward off the common cold, without ever having to see a doctor.

The evolving public interest in complementary medicine has led to increased awareness among general practitioners with roughly 68% practicing such therapies; herbal medicine being the most common for treating symptoms of the common cold.

The article indicates that one of the oldest herbs used to treat the common cold is Echinacea, “arguably one of the most recognized herbal supplements for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu.”

Alternative Medicine Review reported last year that the plant may demonstrate immune-supportive properties. There is however a clear controversy within the medical community regarding the effectiveness of Echinacea; however, the herb has been used for hundreds of years, and people today still remain optimistic about its benefits.

The article also discusses the use of Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, in treating the common cold. As a member of the honeysuckle family, extracts of the berries of the plants have been used primarily as antiviral agents for colds, influenza, and Herpes virus infections. “Various research demonstrates that this botanical possesses immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. The berries have also been found to contain vitamins A and C.”

Since the article states that students seem to be primary victims of the common cold, students should look into alternative treatments as a method of prevention. Most students live off of very little income and some no longer have health insurance coverage. Most of the herbal supplements discusses in the article can be purchased over the counter at the local Walgreen's, which surely beats the cost of a doctor’s visit.

But students shouldn’t refrain from seeing a doctor if they do become sick, especially since the common cold is spread so easily. Once you’re sick, you’re sick; however, preparing your body to fight the common cold through vitamins and herbs can only support your immune system and prepare your body to rid itself of ailments that much easier.

Keeping our fingers crossed

People are finally catching on—and it only took a few thousand centuries.

Alternative treatments like acupuncture, meditation and yoga have assisted people for ages by providing stress and pain relief and ultimately enhancing their quality of life. A recent USA Today article reports that the Pentagon is now taking a look into holistic healing, which actually credits the area of alternative medicine, as it’s often subjected to scrutiny among the medical community.

Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the Pentagon's assistant secretary for health affairs, told USA Today he pushed hard for the new research as an effort to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an increasing number of suicides among Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans. Casscells told USA Today reporters, “We are increasing willing to take a hard look at even soft therapies.”

The research will see whether the alternatives work so the Pentagon can use them more, said Army Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, head of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Many of the treatments have been used for centuries, Sutton said, "so it just makes sense to bring all potential therapies to bear."

“Whatever it takes” is now the mentality of our government. It’s the government’s responsibility to do everything it can protect veterans, and if the real deal (traditional medicine) isn’t working, that means looking into non-traditional treatments.

The Pentagon’s research into alternative treatment is a last resort, but could be very promising if the research can lessen the number of suicides among veterans. The medical community has given alternative treatments a bad rep, but the fact that our government is now considering such practices opens people’s minds to these types of treatments. If the research does prove effective, it will mean a breakthrough for alternative medicine, which could lead to hospitals and clinics offering alternative treatments in the future.

Hooray for Holistic Healing! Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.

Why journalism?

"Why journalism?" people often ask me when I tell them my course of studies at SHSU. "Why not?" I say.

I suppose they expect me to say something more glorified like business or accounting, but even those in such professions may not necessarily be following their hearts, but perhaps their pocketbooks. No one goes into journalism for the money, that's for sure.

I suppose people have lost faith in the integrity of the news media; after all, many blame our media for leading us into a war under false pretenses. People are quick to express their negative views of the news media by deeming it, "liberal" or "biased."

But these are precise reasons why an ambitious, eager young person with a real feel for current events might take to such an area of study. In recent years, mainstream journalism in this country has failed to fulfill its role as a watchdog on the government, and instead only pushed the agenda of a war-hungry administration. It's sickening the degree of control over public opinion that has taken place within our country. Can we not think for ourselves anymore?

Investigative journalism still remains promising though. Journalists with any sense of ethics are eager to repair the shattered image the media has created for itself. It’s time to turn back the hands of time and “re-instill” ethical principles into both our media system and our government. How could any proud American sit back and watch this country run itself into the ground?