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Integrative Medicine » What is Intergrative Medicine? Current Stories |
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Japanese Kampo Medicine
The American public is becoming more accepting of innovative forms of medical treatment. Today most Western educated physicians accept acupuncture and Chinese medicine as a valid and alternative form of treatment for many medical issues, often supplementing standard medical practices and in some cases even supplanting it. However, there are many other indigenous medical traditions that have centuries of effective use. One such tradition is Japanese Kampo medicine.
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Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia
There is new hope for the millions of americans suffering from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue for unknown reasons. It affects between three and six percent of Americans, mainly women. Treating the disorder using western medicine can be frustrating. This is why many are now turning to old, eastern medicine for an answer. Read more about Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia
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Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There
A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things. Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There
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Yogurt Consumption Linked to Healthier Body Weights for Women
Research conducted by The General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition finds that women who eat yogurt frequently are less likely to be overweight and more likely to meet the recommended daily intake of important nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D. The fourteen day study followed the diets of approximately 3,000 women ages 19 and older. Thirteen percent of these women ate three or more servings of yogurt over a two week period. In this group, the women on average had a 15% lower body mass index compared with women who consumed no yogurt. Read more about Yogurt Consumption Linked to Healthier Body Weights for Women
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American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk
A recent study from Penn State has found that American children are drinking insufficient amounts of milk and the dairy they are choosing to consume are very high in fat. The study examined a children's daily dairy intake and compared it with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid dairy recommendations. The findings revealed that only 2 to 3 year olds met the MyPyramid dairy recommendations. It was also observed that most children choose to eat more of the highest fat varieties of cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and dairy based toppings. Read more about American Children Are Not Consuming Enough Milk
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Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
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Rapid Rise in "Complementary" Medical Services
 Have you been to a practitioner besides your family physician? Whether chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga or homeopathy, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has become increasingly common in the United States, and 72% of adults use some form of CAM therapies according to the US National Centers for Disease Control and US National Center for Health Statistics. A recent cover story in The New York Times Magazine highlighted how chronic pain tends to be under treated because doctors worry about over prescribing medications, and being liable for malpractice or even criminal penalties. Many doctors fear entering the field of pain management at all. Many patients are also concerned about becoming dependant on medication or about the invasiveness and dangers of surgery and anesthesia. CAM therapies, which are able to treat pain and help manage diseases without medication or surgery, are rapidly growing services as people search out better, safer approaches. So how effective are Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies?
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Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression
Yoga may offer solutions for depression, anxiety and epilepsy. Reports from the World Health Organization and elsewhere estimate that mental illness comprises fifteen percent of the global disease burden. Depression and anxiety disorders contribute heavily to these numbers. One treatment approach is offered by various medications designed to stimulate the brain's primary inhibitory neuro transmitter, gamma-aminobutyric (or GABA) levels. Findings released by Boston University School of Medicine report that yoga may elevate these GABA levels in the brain and may provide a way to treat these disorders. Read more about Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression
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What is Hoodia?
Hoodia is the latest appetite suppressant rage! It comes from a cactus-like plant in South Africa. It was used by tribesman as an appetite suppressant so they could go on long hunting and gathering trips. That appetite suppressant effect is what everyone is clamoring about, and is why it is now a key ingredient in weight loss products. The belief is that it works on a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which holds our appetite center. Hoodia is believed to contain a molecule called P-57, which tells glucose sensors in the hypothalamus that enough calories have come in, and that one is full. Steve Siegel is Vice-President of Ecuadorian Rainforest L.L.C., a distributor of hoodia in the U.S. He says the hoodia must come from South Africa. His argument: any other hoodia won’t give you the appetite suppressing effects. Read more about What is Hoodia?
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Worst Allergy Season Ever!
You know, every year at this time, we talk about pollen counts and every year they always sound high. And it seems almost every year we’re saying this year is a bad allergy year. But this year really is a horrible year for allergies. In fact, This is perhaps the worst allergy season in 40 to 50 years! “This the first season, this is the first time I had an asthma attack in the spring. Usually it occurs for me in the fall,” says Robert Gabrielli, who has hay fever, or seasonal allergies. But he’s talking about asthma! Well, many people who might never have had an episode of asthma—even a mild one—are experiencing them this spring. “This is definitely my worst year,” exclaims Robert. Read more about Worst Allergy Season Ever!
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