Posting due by Thursday June 7 at 5 pm
You have had an introduction to some brief web assignments. For the remainder of the course, for the 10 point “Web Assignments” (not the “Class participation/Discussion” assignments), you should provide a more in-depth assignment.
Visit a health food store.
- What types of remedies do they note?
- What illnesses do the herbal supplements purport to help?
- What is the cost?
- What is your opinion concerning “self-medication” with herbal remedies?
Access the CINAHL at http://www.cinahl.com/ and/or MEDLINE at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi websites.
- What information is available in nursing, pharm, or medical journals on complementary medicine modalities?
- In your opinion, what is a health care provider’s role in understanding and/or using such treatments?
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
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Remedies and examples of each include:
Amino acids- Acetyl L-Carnitine
Anitoxidants- Beta Carotene
Digestive Fibers- Papaya enzyme, Veggie Enzymes
Essential fatty acids- cod liver oil
Multivitamins
Greens- Alfalfa, Kelp
Herbal extracts for brain power, liver action
Herbs- cats claw, garlic
Minerals- calcium, magnesium, zinc
Activated Charcoal
Sport supplements- egg protein, creatine, calcium pyruvate
Single vitamins- A,B,C,D,E, biotin
Conditions which can be treated using herbal and dietary supplements as natural extracts include Acne, Allergies, Alzheimer's Disease, Anemia, Anxiety and Panic, Arrhythmia, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Bad Breath, Cancer Prevention, Candida Overgrowth Syndrome, Canker Sores, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cataracts, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cold Sores, Colds, Congestive Heart Failure, Constipation, Crohn's Disease, Depression, Diarrhea, Earache, Eczema, Fatigue, Fibrocystic Breast Changes, Fibromyalgia, Flatulence, Flu, Gallstones, Gout, Gum Disease, Hair Problems, Heart Disease Prevention, Heartburn, Hemorrhoids, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Infertility, Female, Infertility, Male, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Macular Degeneration, Memory Loss/Impairment, Menopause, Migraine, Osteoporosis, Perimenopause, PMS, Prostate Problems, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rosacea, Sinusitis, Strains and Sprains, Stress, Stroke, Thyroid Disease, Urinary Tract Infections, Varicose Veins, Weight Management,Yeast Infection (Vaginal)
The cost of the supplements varies by the size of the doses, amount sold, and the particular treatment. Simple vitamins begin at four dollars per bottle and go to around $20, specialty products begin at $20 and continue upward of $40.
Health remedies are very popular so there must be something about the remedies that work. Many people take them, feel better, and continue taking them whether they continue to feel better or not. I think that the majority of people believe that the supplements work so they in turn feel better whether the supplement is actually having an effect on the body. The supplements are very expensive but people continue to buy them and consider the remedy worth the cost. I think that if a proper diet was eaten then most of the vitamins and minerals that are bought in suplements would be supplied to the body and to buy them would be a waste, but very few eat properly to obtain the vitamins each day. Many supplements have been around for hundreds of years and some thousands, to last the test of time there have to be some benefits to the treatment some are worth the cost and others are not.
https://www.motherearthworks.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?listcategories=action
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=2EECB584D2C3498B99DBD113488B059A&nm=Healing+Kitchen&type=AWHN_AskHealingKitchen&mod=Ask+Healing+Kitchen&tier=1&id=474802FA6F8A40A8A6227D687B2F0484
There are journal articles that contain information about aromatherapy and acupuncture, and their use as treatment for shoulder pain. There are also articles testing the effects of acupuncture as well as yoga, aromatherapy massage and the use of European herbs. There are also articles in which the uses of acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage, homeopathy, meditation, reflexology, herbal medicine, yoga, and several dietary supplements and relaxation techniques are being used to treat depression.
Health care providers should be knowledgeable about complementary methods of treatment. However, the treatments are most likely not covered by insurance companies, this makes the treatments payments more expensive for the patient. The fact that the treatment is more expensive to the patient means that most will choose to use medicines before they try a complementary treatment. Many complementary medicines are preventative in nature and people enjoy doing them such as yoga, Tai Chi, massage therapy, and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise changes. Some complementary treatments such as aromatherapy can even be found in supermarkets and other stores.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17144787&ordinalpos=25&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17168769&ordinalpos=21&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
I visited GNC.com on online health food store. The subdivision included: vitamins and minerals; sports nutrition; diet and energy; herbal supplements; health and beauty; home and fitness. I looked at the herbal supplements which were further divided. From there I decided to take a closer look at their “best sellers” category.
Under “best sellers” there are various supplements listed. The list includes a picture of the supplement bottle, the trademark brand name and the generic name, count of capsules/tablets in a bottle, regular and gold card price, and maybe a special that is current for that time. There are no immediate listings of the remedied that supplement posses.
By further clicking on a supplement of desire you get information pertaining to that suppliment’s remedies: description, product info, and lablel.
Herbal Plus® Green Tea Complex:
-EGCG supports metabolism.*
-Features 150 mg of EGCG,a major active component of green tea thathelps support metabolism.*
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The disclaimer at the bottom of each supplement ensures that the supplement cannot cure or prevent any disease unlike a prescription drug. Other health food store sites do not make this disclaim so pronounced. Here you can find supplements that help remedied for a variety of illnesses: increase metabolism, antioxidant support, promotes healthy sleep patterns and natural biorhythms, supports a healthy liver function, support for eye health, Anti-Gas/Bloat Enzymes, dietary supplements, and the list goes on and on.
As for cost there is free shipping for order of $75 dollars of more. Price for 100 capsules/tablets ranges from $9.99-$39.99. The cost may be too much for most people in rural WV who need medical assistance to pay for their medication but may be in a good price range for those people who do not have insurance or do not what to routinely take a prescription drug.
To me self-medication with herbal remedies is dependant upon the patient. If the patient is take a lot of prescription medications it would not be advisable to self-medicate. If the person wants to increase metabolism and is not taking routine prescription medication then self-medication may be fine, it just depends on if that person is susceptible to allergies.
There are medical journals that discuss specific complimentary medicines such as St. Johns Wort and Fenugreek seeds. There are articles about complimentary medicine. And there are article about upcoming complimentary medicine and its possible remedies, such as: Complementary cancer therapy; and Psychological approach to managing irritable bowel syndrome. Then there are article that discuss the relative effectiveness of CAM.
In my opinion the health providers role is to know that there are CAM that can be somewhat effects and reduce the dependency for prescription medications. They should know that price range for such medication to answer questions the patient may have. Most importantly they should know the herb-drug interaction and allergies that could cause serious effects to the patient. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
Remedies-
-Upset Stomach- Papaya enzymes, Acidophilus, multi-enzymes
-Eyes- Ocala Formula, Vitamin A, Lutin
-Urinary Tract- Cranberry, Silver biotics
-Joint Pain- Triflex (MSM), SAM-e-400, Glucosamine 753 Chondrotin 600
-Ears- Ear Candles, Ear Candle Drops
-Smooth Skin- Vitamin A, C, D, E Creams
-Sugar Regulator- Chromium Picolinate, Cinnamon, Cinnergen
-Stress- Vitamin B-12, Lemon Balm, Calm-u-Nat
-Cholesterol- Flax Seed, Fish Oil, Borage Oil
-Diet- Hydroxycut, Lipo 6, Green Tea
Herb/Illnesses examples
-Bilberry- eye health, night vision,
-Cranberry- urinary tract
-Hawthorn Berries- cardiovascular health
-Dong Quai- women reproductive health
-Black Cottose- menopause
-Elderberry, Grape Seed and Echinacea Goldensea – immune system
-Ginger Root- stomach
-Rhodila- stress
-Milk Thistle- liver
-Ginkgo- memory
-St. Johns Wart- mood balance
-Saw pal’ Mento- prostate
-Nettle- sinus,
-Pau D’ Arco’- fungal problems
-Horsetail- hair
-Chestnut- vein strength
-Guarrana- energy
* There are several other herbs used to treat various illnesses
-Cost- *Depending on product and amount of product- $12.00-40.00
*All information above found at the GNC Store in Ravenswood WV
-In my opinion probably some of the herbal remedies work, or people still wouldn’t be taking them. I don’t believe, for example, that by not taking a tablet of Milk Thistle every day for 30 years that my liver is just going to stop working or that it will prevent it from doing so. I do believe, from experience, that Green Tea is a very good hunger suppressant and also is a good energy booster. Every morning at school I drink a glass of hot green tea so that I won’t be as hungry during my morning classes because they always go through usually breakfast and lunch. I also think that maybe the immune system boosters help as well. But as far as “self-medicating” with herbs rather than going to the doctor and receiving prescription drugs is not a wise choice in my opinion.
-Information such as: effects of pro-/antioxidant-based nutraceuticals in the skin rejuvenation techniques, potential interactions and side effects in dental patients due to unregulated herbal intake, anti-cholinergic therapies for overactive bladder, and management of cancer pain with complementary therapies can all be found in nursing, pharmacology, or medical journals on complementary medicine modalities.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
-I personally think that health care providers should understand alternative treatments. If traditional treatments fail, then maybe an alternative treatment may be used. Also, with patient request, if the alternative treatment is preferred then the health care provider should be knowledgeable of it. The alternative treatment may be preferred for several reasons including; COST, comfort and convenience.
-Also, just for reference, if anyone needs a good site to look stuff up… I like www.webmd.com
:)
GNC
Remedies-
Body cleansing-Preventive Nutrition® Complete Body Cleansing Program
Claims to have the following treatments.
Gastro Formula
Total Cleanser
Blood Circulation Formula
Liver Cleanser
Kidney Formula
Enzyme Blend
Fiber
Prebiotic
Probiotic
Natural Brand™ Colon Pure™ Unflavored-Colon Cleanser-
Homeopathic treatments
Chaser Plus-Prevents hangovers
Bach Flower Remedies Rescue Remedy®-stress relief
Bach Flower Remedies Rescue® Sleep-sleep aid
GNC Bio—Remedy® Calm-U-Nat™- reduces nervous tension
GNC Bio—Remedy® Cold & Flu Relief-relieves cold and flu symptoms
Sinufix® Nasal Decongestant & Cleansing Mist-Sinus Pressure
Nasal Congestion
Dry Nasal Cavity
GNC Bio—Remedy® Arnica Relief- relieves pain and stiffness from sprains and muscle aches.
GNC Bio—Remedy® Cough Syrup- relieves coughs from colds, flu's, allergies, smoke, and pollutants.
Clear Lungs® Extra Strength- relieves lung congestion temporarily.
Fruit Concentrates-
Natural Brand™ Apple Cider Vinegar-natural source of pectin, vitamins and minerals
Natural Brand™ Organic Cranberry Concentrate-helps urinary tract
Bernard Jensen Pomegranate Concentrate-antioxidants help the body guard against free radicals.
Nature's Way® SAMBUCOL®- improves upper respiratory health
Natural Brand™ Black Currant Oil- increases the health of blood lipids and in turn helps the cardiovascular system.
NutraLab™ Cinnergen™-promotes healthy glucose metabolism
Sylvan Bioproducts Red Yeast Rice-dietary supplement and maintains LDL cholesteral levels.
and many many many many more.
Illnesses they claim to treat-Body, Liver, Kidney, and Colon cleansing, hangovers, stress, sleeplessness, nervous tension, cold and flu, sinus pressure, nasal congestion, pain and stiffness from sprains and muscle aches, coughs, lung congestion, cancer, memory loss, migraines, Urinary tract infections.
Cost- $4-$60. Overall these treatments appear to be cheaper than pharmaceutical products.
My opinion-I think in some serious cases, Doctor perscribed pharmaceuticals, or other pharmaceuticals are more affective, more reliable, and better tested. Many of our modern medicines, however, were derived from plants and herbs such as Asprin which is found in the bark of the White Willow. Herbal medicines are therefore cheaper, useful, and beneficial if taken properly. If a specific individual has success with herbal supplements, then by all means continue taking them.
www.gnc.com
In our modern technological world, there are numerous articles posted on Complamentary Medicines. For example, there is an article about using Complamentary Medicine and Treatments to reduce the pain of cancer. Some treatments include, acupuncture, mind-body therapies, massage, reflexology, and Reiki.
In Taiwan, a test was concluced which provided evidence that Rose Tea relieved Primary dysmenorrhea symptoms in female adolescents. Another study was concluded that provided evidence that uterine fibroids could be treated with Chinese medicine, and body therapy instead of traditional surgury. These complementary treatments were much more cost benefitial.
There are many other articles present on Complementary Medicines.
I believe it is very important for health care providers to understand and/or use CAM treatments. Pharmaceutical medicine is only used because the benefits outweigh the risks. If this is changed and the risks are greater, then other forms of medicine must be used in order to fix the problem. CAM treatments although not always as affective, are often more cost beneficial to those without insurance to provide medical help.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?
GNC offers a wide variety of herbal supplements. They offer Herbal Plus Natra Sleep which is supposed to promote a more healthful and restful sleep. They also sell a Energy Formula which claims to support “vitality and energy. GNC also offers body cleansing programs, natural laxatives, liver cleansers and much more. They categorize their herbal supplements into groups of herbs, super foods, digestion, natural remedies, natural cleansing and detox, condition specific formulas, soy, fish oil, flax, EFAs, antioxidants, seasonal support and teas.
The cost of these remedies could cost less than prescription medications for those who are uninsured. Some of them range from as much as $35 to as low as $13.
I think that self-medication could be a good thing where the ailment isn’t a life threatening disease where a prescription medication wouldn’t give better results. I also think self-medication could be dangerous if the person believes everything they hear and starts taking many different supplements. It’s also important to note that many of these supplements have noted on their label that they have not been tested by the FDA. Another problem I found was that on the labels of some of the supplements it said to contact your doctor before use if you have a medical condition. I thought the reason people would be taking these supplements was because they had a medical condition.
www.gnc.com
PubMed has information concerning complementary medicine modalities such as Korean acupuncture and how it can help researchers better understand neurological disorders, the effect that prayer has among cancer patients, massage, herbs and meditation.
I absolutely think that health care providers need to be aware of complementary medicine. Many of these activities such as massage and meditation could help the patient release stress and in turn live a healthier lifestyle. A person’s health is related to their attitude and mood; so if a health care provider was aware of a complementary medicine that could be beneficial to the patient they should relate the information. Health care providers should also become aware of these medicines because their job is to try to improve the health of their patients.
www.gnc.com
Vitamins, minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Chromium, iron), Amino acids (carnitine, glutamine, arginine) to fuel muscles for optimal growth, antioxidants (grape seed, green tea, protandim) to reduce cell damage and prevent wrinkles and other skin aliments associated with aging, Omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA to improve brain function, maintain a healthy heart, and health joints (fish oils, flax seed oil), protein (soy, and whey) for muscle mass, creatine monohydrate and phosphate to promote cellular hydration and fuel skeletal muscles, Weight loss and energy boost: hydroxycut decrease body fat and increase norepinephrine, superfly fruit punch provide energy, herbals: natural remedies; homeopathic to relieve common ailments such as withdrawal, cough and headache, fruit concentrates (apple, cherry, cranberry), bee pollen (loaded in nutrients), noni to improve immune system, shark cartilage (diet, joints, bones), red yeast rice (diet, health, cholesterol), herbs; St. johns wort, ginseng, ginkgo, grape seed, milk thistle, bilberry, curcumin, wild yam, etc.
The cost of the herbal remedies and other alternative treatments listed are generally not cheap; however, for the most part far cheaper than most pharmaceuticals. On the downside, most of these are NOT FDA approved, will not be covered by medical insurance, have no real proof of success, and may have serious adverse RXNs associated with combinations of the herbals themselves or an herbal-pharmaceutical interaction. It's no secret that many of the herbals have the ability to aid in the treatment of a wide range of illness, disorders, ailments, however, little study has been done on some of the actives involved.
Information from the online journals found at these links:
http://tinyurl.com/23d69h
http://tinyurl.com/23sf9p
Contain a wide range on info and thoughts that were both positive and negative in regards to alternative treatment methods such as herbals, massage, and acupuncture.
While health care providers should acknowledge these options, they should also be aware of all possible downsides to using the mentioned remedies as there are both pros and cons to both sides.
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