Complementary and Alternative Medicine Overview
Complementary and Alternative Medicine or CAM are diagnostic or therapeutic techniques that are outside the mainstream of Western medicine. Alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine while complementary medicine is used along with conventional medicine though some of the treatments methods are the same.
Although most people utilize mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, many are now turning to alternatives for what they believe to be total body health-enhancing measures.
CAM is very popular with people who are terminally ill and has also been used on animals. There have also been sufficient instances of “inexplicable” extension of life and other significant health benefits for people who have pursued these options that the Western health systems are now seriously starting to further assess these systems.
Epilepsy, Food Sensitivities, and Heavy Metals: A Complementary and Alternative Medicine Approach
November has been selected as “Epilepsy Awareness Month” according to the Center for Disease Control. This year, their focus is on seizure recognition and first aid.
There are four main categories of seizures include:
- Generalized Seizures – affect entire brain
- Partial Seizures – affect part of the brain
- Non-Epileptic Seizures – not caused by epilepsy, but other things such as diabetes, fever, etc
- Status Epilepticus – a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes
Epilepsy affects more than 2.7 million people in the United States, and some patients can experience over 100 seizures in a single day.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine For Crohn’s Disease
Introduction to Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The illness is similar to another inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis.
While Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive system, it primarily impacts the colon and the end of the small intestines, called the ileum.
Patients with the condition can experience symptoms like abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, bloody stool, and weight loss. It is theorized that Crohn’s disease results when the body’s immune system attacks non-threatening substances like bacteria or food in the gastrointestinal tract. Severe illness can result in the swelling, scarring, and blockage of the intestines, and many patients are forced to have surgery to remove damaged bowel sections.