Integrative Medicine on the Road

It is time to learn more about integrative medicine.  What is integrative medicine and what it may come?

Clinicians and researchers are increasing using the term integrative medicine to refer to the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with conventional bio-medicine.  However, combination medicine (CAM added to conventional) is not integrative.  Integrative medicine represents a higher-order system of care that emphasizes wellness and healing of the entire person (bio-psycho-socio-spiritual dimensions) as primary goals, drawing on both conventional and CAM approaches in the context of a supportive and effective physician-patient relationship.  In this view, health is an emergent property of the person as a complex living system.  Thus, unlike bio-medical research that typically examines parts of health care and parts of the individual, one at a time, but not the complete system, integrative outcomes research advocates the study of the whole. The whole system includes the patient-provider relationship, multiple conventional and CAM treatments, and the philosophical context of care as the intervention.

What is alternative medicine?

Definition and explanation of alternative medicine can be a bit various but the main concept is here.

WHO - Complementary And Alternative Medicine (CAM)

“The term CAM often refers to a broad set of health-care practices that are not part of a country’s own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health-care system. Other terms sometimes used to describe these health-care practices include ‘natural medicine’ , ’non-conventional medicine’ and ‘holistic medicine’.”

Hence, the definition of alternative medicine is subject to time and place.  When time changes, the concept could change as well.  For the East, Western medicine was once alternative medicine for them. In India, Ayuraveda is known for over 5000 years and it is not alternative medicine as it is legally accepted as primary treatment.  Same like Chinese medical treatment.

Best Medical Treatments & Remedies For Acne

Follow me to see most workable prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) medicines for acne and pimples treatment.

Try step by step.  The first two options are OCT and 3 to 5 must be prescribed. 

1. Benzoyl Peroxide

This can dry up acne vulgaris. Very popular.  Many brads available such as Brevoxyl and Benzac.

2. Salicylic Acid

Many people find it is also effective. Products containing salicylic acid include Propa pH and Stridex.

3. Topical Antibiotics

Medical practitioners often prescribe antibiotic creams, gels or lotions which are applied directly to the pimples as the first step for external use. 

4. Oral Antibiotics

New Understanding on Acne Rosacea

Acne rosacea is often difficult to treat because it's viewed mainly as a skin problem to be treated symptomatically.  But there is an alternative perspective of the disease according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. 

Far from a skin problem, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tried to explained acne rosacea or rosacea at the root level in different perception from the Western medical treatment.  They describe rosacea as a condition related to Lung and Liver function disorder. The important balance between these two organ systems has been disrupted and not functioning together in harmony.

The real cause of rosacea generally was addressed in the picture of lung function disorder caused by liver function disorder.  In view of traditional Chinese medicine, all skin problems are related to the lung as well as its partner organ the Large Intestine.  Then, good results come from treating the root of the cause of this condition.

Acne position & Chinese treatment theory

Acne is one of most common problem. Many people believe that acne is just a beauty problem.  In fact acne is a chronic disease that needs to be treated properly.   Typical antibiotic drug treatment e.g. vitamins A acid groups, Benzoylperoxide must be used continuously for a long time. Doctors will diagnose skin problem and prescribe according to the symptoms appear.  But this does not solve the problem permanently.  So, should we fix the problem where it origins?  For the East, acne is not only skin problem but it indicate imbalance of health and un-functional organs. According to Chinese treatment theory which tries to understand the roots of problems deeper, below are health conditions we can predict from the acne position.

Acne on Forehead: Do you easily get irritated?   Chinese traditional medical theory mentioned about acne on the forehead as “the fire on your heart” since people who have bad temper and stress usually have symptoms of mental uneasiness, insomnia and anxiety. Besides heart, if acne occurs on left side of forehead, it may relate with urinary system, digestive system, urinary bladder, and adrenal gland.  If acne occurs on the right side of forehead, it may relate with digestive organs, stomach, and adrenal gland.  Acne Tips:

Easy ways to prevent hair fall and get healthy hair growth

Easy ways to prevent hair fall and get healthy hair growth

There are simple ways we can do to keep away from hair fall problem and get healthier hair – before spending money in vain, check these out.

• Drink 8-10 glass of water everyday. 
• Use a mild shampoo regularly for clean and healthy scalp.
• Aromathererapy alternative treatment - is also extremely effective. Apply mixed essential oils of thyme, cedar wood oil, lavender, and rosemary on the hair will help to stimulate hair growth.
• Ayurveda Medicines alternative medical treatment - Bhingaraj oil or brahmi oil, amla and ashwagandha also promote hair growth, especially for thyroid hair loss.
• Learn more about vitamins and how they function.

Cause of Hair Loss

Are you curious to know the reason of hair loss?  What made Prince Willaim (I love his ex-title) look like a 40 year man at only 26 ?

Below are popular reasons of hair loss, hair fall and baldness.

Hair Disorders  Hereditary thinning or baldness. (androgenetic alopecia)  This is the most common cause of hair loss of men and women in the United States. A receding hairline and hair loss on top of the scalp for men is found in men more than women.  
Alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease causes hair loss in patches on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It can be found in people of all ages.  
Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia. A rare condition that destroys hair follicles. (Oh my God!) 
Hormones and Stress

Will I go bald?

Will I go bald?

I had terrible headache and could not sleep well last night.  When woke up, I found hair loss spread over the pillow!  It has never happened before.  Is this natural hair loss or a sign of baldness?

Ok, take a deep breath.  I do not want to get more stress.  I know that hair falls everyday.  But how do we know it is normal or not.

We have about 100,000 hair on the head and it is likely to fall every day.

Lifespan is about 3 years, before it will be taken to stop the growth phase.  The new hair will grow very vicious cycle like a tree.  Technically, there are 3 periods of growth, Anagen, Catagen and Telogen which are defined by age, food intake, hormones and heredity.

Hair Loss: True or False

1. Excessive hair wash causes hair loss
   FALSE: Frequency does not the issue. You can shampoo regularly. Remember, a CLEAN scalp is a HEALTHY scalp.  Healthy scalp can lead to healthy and beautiful hair.o:p>
2. Blow-drying produces hair loss
   FALSE: Blow-drying can damage hair, which can cause it to fall.  But it will grow back and this is not permanent hair loss
3. Brush 100 strokes each day to accelerate hair growth.
   FALSE: Brushing too much can damage hair cuticle. Don’t do that. It can lead to split ends and hair breakage. In fact, your hair reacts better to a comb than a brush.
4. Color treatment causes hair loss
   FALSE: Most hair coloring products contain chemicals that can do serious harm to the hair itself if not properly used or use it too often, but it wont instigate hair loss.
5. Long sun exposure causes hair loss
   FALSE: Hair loss appears at the follicle level and so the sun would have to penetrate at this depth to do any damage.