scholarly journals Resistance to Antibiotics and Antifungal Medicinal Products: Can Complementary and Alternative Medicine Help Solve the Problem in Common Infection Diseases? The Introduction of a Dutch Research Consortium

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther T. Kok ◽  
Miek C. Jong ◽  
Barbara Gravendeel ◽  
Willem B. Van Leeuwen ◽  
Erik W. Baars
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Vaginal Candidiasis ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cochrane Reviews ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The increase of antibiotic resistance worldwide, rising numbers of deaths and costs associated with this, and the fact that hardly any new antimicrobial drugs have been developed during the last decade have increased the interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapeutic interventions, if proven safe and effective. Observational studies on clinical CAM practices demonstrate positive effects of treatment of infections with CAM therapies (clinical effects, patient satisfaction) in combination with small percentages of antibiotics prescription. However, Cochrane reviews and other studies demonstrate that in most instances the quality of clinical trials on CAM treatment of infections is currently too low to provide sufficient evidence. Therefore a Dutch consortium on (in vitro and clinical) scientific research on CAM and antibiotic resistance has been formed. The aim and objective of the consortium is to establish an enduring partnership and to develop expertise to further develop and investigate safe and effective CAM treatments for infectious diseases of humans (and animals). A first ongoing project on the development of safe and effective biobased CAM antimycotics in women with (recurrent) vaginal candidiasis infection is introduced.

scholarly journals Complementary and alternative medicine use among infertile women attending infertility specialty clinics in South Korea: does perceived severity matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hye Hwang ◽  
Yi Young Kim ◽  
Hyea Bin Im ◽  
Dongwoon Han
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Conventional Treatment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Infertile Women ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Abstract Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among infertile women is popular in many countries, including Korea. Previous research has repeatedly found more than half of infertile women surveyed use CAM therapies for fertility enhancement and overall well-being. However, there is currently little evidence to support this practice, and this raises the question of infertile women’s experiences in the uptake of those modalities and sociodemographic and psychological factors associated with CAM use. Thus, this study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of infertile women with regard to their use of CAM in Korea. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 263 infertile women attending infertility specialty clinics in Seoul, Korea, in June 2012. The survey instrument included 47 questions on the use of CAM, demographic characteristics, health status, and infertility related factors such as duration and type of infertility, experience and satisfaction of conventional treatment, and self-perceived severity of infertility condition. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results Among 286 respondents (response rate, 95.3%), a total of 263 women were included in the final analysis. 63.5% of respondents used one or more types of CAM modalities during infertility treatment. The utilization of CAM was associated with employment status, duration of infertility treatment, and self-perceived severity of the disease. The most commonly used CAM modalities were multivitamin and herbal medicine, and differences in types of CAM modalities used were found between the group with a higher rating of self-perceived disease severity and the lower perceived severity group. Conclusions High prevalence of CAM use among infertile women was observed in Korea. Our findings support that infertile women’s own understanding of their illness and physical condition influences self-care behavior such as CAM use. This calls for an urgent need for further in-depth study of the clinical effects of popular CAM modalities among infertile women when used in conjunction with conventional treatment.

scholarly journals Review on the Applications and Molecular Mechanisms ofXihuangPill in Tumor Treatment

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiujun Guo ◽  
Jinyin Lin ◽  
Rui Liu ◽  
Yebo Gao ◽  
Shulin He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Growth Of Tumor ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Xihuangpill (XH) is a complementary and alternative medicine that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of tumors since the 18th century. XH has clinical effects on non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, and bone metastasis. XH can also inhibit the growth of tumor cells and cancer stem cells, prevent tumor invasion and angiogenesis, and regulate the tumor microenvironment. XH is composed ofRu Xiang(olibanum),Mo Yao(Commiphora myrrha),She Xiang(Moschus), andNiu Huang(Calculus bovis). Some of the compounds found in these ingredients exert multiple antitumor effects and may synergize with the other ingredients. We aimed to summarize the clinical applications and molecular mechanisms of XH and its chemical composition. This review will provide potential new strategies and alternative perspectives for tumor treatments and basic research into complementary and alternative medicine.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: What Is the Evidence?

ISRN Pain ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Paiva ◽  
Márcia Mendonça Carneiro
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Pelvic Pain ◽  
Chronic Pelvic Pain ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Specific Disorders ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as pain of at least 6 months’ duration that occurs in the lower abdomen or below the umbilicus and has resulted in functional or psychological disability or required intervention and treatment. Therapeutic interventions center around the treatment of CPP as a diagnosis in and of itself, and treatment of specific disorders that may be related to CPP. A multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and treatment seems to be most effective for symptomatic relief. This paper reviews the evidence for such interventions as psychological treatments including the use of complementary and alternative medicine techniques for CPP in women. Unfortunately, finding the best evidence in this setting is difficult as only very few randomized controlled trials are available. A combination of treatments is usually required over time for the treatment of refractory CPP. The multifactorial nature of CPP needs to be discussed with the patient and a good rapport as well as a partnership needs to be developed to plan a management program with regular followup. Promotion of a multidisciplinary approach which includes complementary and alternative medicine techniques in managing CPP in women seems to yield the best results.

scholarly journals Putting Integrative Oncology Into Practice: Concepts and Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Latte-Naor ◽  
Jun J. Mao
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Integrative Oncology ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

Unmet symptom needs and a desire for holistic health approaches or even cure are among the motivations patients have for seeking out complementary and alternative medicine. Using complementary and alternative medicine instead of conventional cancer treatment can have a negative impact on clinical outcomes and survival. Integrative oncology is a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of comprehensive cancer care that uses mind-body practices, natural products, and lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments. It prioritizes safety and best available evidence to offer appropriate therapeutic interventions along with conventional care. This review summarizes the underlying principles of integrative oncology and how it is distinct from alternative medicine, and it provides a practical guide for the effective application of evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine interventions in patient-centered care. In addition, we recommend resources for patients and clinicians and provide algorithms for appropriate integrative medicine referrals. Finally, we offer suggestions on developing and implementing an integrative oncology program and addressing current challenges in the field.

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