Reply to student posts with a reflection of their response.  Please provide citations and references (in APA, 7th ed. format) for your work.

   

Exploring Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Chronic Illnesses

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the public’s interest in using complementary and alternative medicine to treat diseases, including chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Although conventional Western medical or allopathic system continues to be dominant, holistic and integrative therapy systems, have also emerged into the limelight for their ability to provide adjunct and complementary treatments. This discussion post will assess the safety and efficacy of the mentioned approaches and discuss possible complications or issues when working with patients who opt for holistic or allopathic treatment systems.

Especially with regards to the care of cancer, there has been a significant amount of focus on the aspects of treatment that involve the use of such therapies. In no way should complementary therapy be a substitute for standard therapies such as Chemotherapy, Radiation, and surgeries, But certain Complementary therapies are effective in enhancing the quality of life and controlling side effects (Zhang et al., 2021). For example, some research indicates that acupuncture can relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. In contrast, mind-body practices, such as meditation and yoga, can help cancer patients manage their stress and anxiety.

For instance, complementary treatments can be quite helpful when used in combination with the standard therapies for diabetes to achieve good control of blood sugar and avoid complications. Several plants, including bitter melon and fenugreek, have shown evidence of reducing blood glucose levels, but further research is still needed to show that they are safe and effective. Further, measures such as physical activity and diet, including fiber and whole grains, can complement the allopathic medications for diabetes management.

For hypertensive patients, other therapies, including stress management strategies, daily exercise, and dietary changes, are useful in supplementing conventional pharmacological treatment (Verma et al., 2021). Garlic, fish oil, and hawthorn are natural supplements that effectively reduce blood pressure. However, it is recommended to seek doctors’ permission to use products because they may interfere with other medications.

It is also important not to dismiss alternative and complementary therapies completely, as they may have some benefits and should be used with the appropriate precautions and recommendations of healthcare providers. Certain nontraditional therapies may interact with traditional medication or may possess secondary effects, especially when they are administered without the guidance of a doctor. Further, it is vital to guarantee that an adjunct strategy is evidence-based instead of relying on word-of-mouth information.

In conclusion, the choice between holistic and allopathic approaches should be made with the help of healthcare providers, depending on the specific conditions, preferences, and outcomes of the scientific research. Some people may be concerned about the safety or efficacy of some of these alternatives or complementaries. However, going into these treatments with an evidence-based mindset is always wise. The discussion has provided insight into how health care professionals should listen to the patients, respect their decisions regarding the kind of treatment they would like to seek, and, in turn, help them in their quest for better health regardless of the type of treatment they are willing to undergo.

References

Zhang, X., Qiu, H., Li, C., Cai, P., & Qi, F. (2021). The positive role of traditional Chinese medicine as an adjunctive therapy for cancer. Bioscience trends, 15(5), 283–298. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bst/15/5/15_2021.01318/_article/-char/ja/

Verma, N., Rastogi, S., Chia, Y. C., Siddique, S., Turana, Y., Cheng, H. M.,… & Kario, K. (2021). Non-pharmacological management of hypertension. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 23(7), 1275–1283. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jch.14236