Thursday, September 17, 2015

The Role of Science in CAM



Science is defined as the study of knowledge. For as long as there is something new to learn, science would intervene for the unquenchable search for new information and understanding. Same happens for the study of alternative medicines.

As a non-profit organization advocating on alternative, complementary and integrative medicines, The Peterson Group is often faced with numerous complaints regarding the lack of evidences on conventional medicines and questions on issues which we, admittedly, have not yet known ourselves. We call for more research and pragmatic trials which are rarely seen from treatments claiming benefits from mere touch. In gathering evidences from some of the most notorious places to use alternative medicines, we have learned how culture has been one of the biggest factors in it adaptation and success. Science is a mere coincidence as the treatment in acupuncture in China, herbs in South Korea, smoke treatments in Bangkok, Thailand and homeopathy in Jakarta, Indonesia continue to stay mainstream despite of its conventionalism.

Science is meant to be unbiased and risk culture and tradition in order to prove a treatment’s effectivity. Yet, in order for the components of an outcome to be fully measured, specific effects of the intervention and non-specific effects such as true placebo effects, cognitive measurement biases and other effects should be included.

Negative true placebo effects (‘frustrebo effects’) in the comparison group and cognitive measurement biases in the comparison group and the experimental group make the non-specific effect look like a benefit for the intervention group. However, the clinical importance of these effects is often dismissed or ignored without justification. The bottom line is that, for results from open pragmatic trials to be trusted, research is required to measure the clinical importance of true placebo effects, cognitive bias effects, and specific effects of treatments.

Science has greatly stated that just because alternative method is known to extract placebo effect which can treat a certain disease or ailment, it would immediately justify its processes. It does not even assure that all medicines claiming to be alternative are not fraudulent. Therapy should be measured on the treatment’s capability to alter physiological condition and not base on the less predictable placebo effect. Science has the critical role to make sure that all evidence is prevalent and not just a hinting thought.

Medical facts are determined through a process in which hundreds of medical practitioners and scientists are gathered for observation, deliberation and review. It is not, as they emphasize something which can be decided with a single cure of luck.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Asthmatic Remedies in Homoeopathy

Asthma is already a recurring ailment which has been considered as one of the most common especially to young kids. Since they are normally curable, they are oftentimes disregarded with fever or flu. But like flu and fevers which, if not cured immediately, can be acute. Asthma can also be chronic depending on the history of the patient as it can also be genetic.

In Asthma, the bronchial tubes narrow which makes it harder to breathe. Patients may have complaints of short of breathe and may also experience tightening of the chest, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Running, biking and any tedious activity can cause asthma attack. Dust and other small particles can also cause asthma reactions. Asthma is also often associated with allergies and other same diseases. 

Homeopathy has also proved to cure asthma or prevent it from happening. The kind of treatment depends on the status of the asthma patient. According to experts, the kind of treatment should be appropriate to on the individual’s personality. 

The Peterson Group, provider of free, unbiased health information on integrative, complementary and alternative medicines, has listed some of the most common types of homeopathic treatment for asthmatic patients.
  • Aconitum
This remedy is useful at the beginning stages of onset of asthmatic breathing. Noticeably present is anxiety, fear, and restlessness with the asthma
  • Arsenicum
Restlessness and anxiety are prominent with asthmatic children who need this remedy. As the asthma continues, they get more and more frightened and agitated. Their symptoms are worse from midnight to 2 a.m., and they will toss and turn in bed, unable to find a comfortablable position. Their breathing is best when sitting erect. Despite their restlessness, they are tired and weak. They are very chilly and better by warmth. They are noticeably thirsty but for only sips of water at a time.
  • Chamomilla
Chamomilla is one of the most famous homeopathic treatments used to calm the nerves down, enabling the breathing to be stabilized. This medicine is mostly famous in Jakarta, Indonesia which is also used for Spa purposes as well as in Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Lobelia
This remedy is known for curing asthmatic breathing concurrent with nausea and vomiting. These children usually have prickling sensations, even on the fingers and toes that precedes the asthma. The asthma is aggravated by exposure to cold. The child may feel weakness in the pit of the stomach and a sensation of a lump above the sternum (the chest bone).

The herbs used in these treatments are crushed and concocted with other natural healing medicines. Critics are also questioning the validity of these ingredients as a lot of fraudulent medicines are already circulating across the globe.