Question

Topic 1: Integrative Healthcare for Patients with Complex Health Needs

Select two chronic diseases that interest you. Outline the standard medical care for each disease. Explore two or three integrative healthcare practices that may offer additional benefits to the patient with each disease. Integrative healthcare practices may include, but not limited to natural products, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, chiropractic manipulation and massage. Include in your discussion some potential problems or conflicts between traditional and integrative medicine. In the role of patient advocate, describe how you might facilitate the incorporation of both disciplines for the wellbeing of the patient.  

Answer 1

The two chronic diseases that will be discussed below are:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic arthritis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

Medical management:

Bronchodilators: Anticholinergics (such as aclidinium, tiotropium, or umeclidinium), Beta2-agonists (such as formoterol or salmeterol), A combination of the two, or a combination of a beta2-agonist and a corticosteroid medicine, Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors, Corticosteroids and Other medicines include methylxanthines.

Integrated healthcare practices:

Essential oils: Essential oils like Myrtol, eucalyptus oil, and orange oil can reduce airway inflammation. Zataria multiflora oil also reduced inflammation and gave symptomatic relief.

Salt therapy: Salt is antibacterial, it kills bacteria. It reduces inflammation of the airways. Salt is mucolytic, which means it helps to shift retained mucus. There is a decrease in cough frequency and intensity. It loosens the secretions and removes the mucus out. It not only gives immediate relief but also delays the frequency of reoccurrence.

Chronic arthritis:

Medical management:

• Analgesics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids)
• Counterirritants
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (dmards)
• Biologic response modifiers
• Corticosteroids

Integrated healthcare practices:

Herbal therapy: Cat’s claw is an anti-inflammatory herb that may reduce swelling in arthritis. This herb is from a tropical vine. Traditionally, cat’s claw is used to boost the immune system. Eucalyptus is widely available in Western markets. It’s used in oral medications, and topical oil extracts are used for a variety of conditions. Topical forms of eucalyptus leaves are used to treat arthritis pain. The plant leaves contain tannins, which may be helpful in reducing swelling and the pain arthritis causes. Ginger has a strong flavor which has anti-inflammatory properties.

Yoga or tai chi: The slow, stretching movements associated with yoga and tai chi may help improve joint flexibility and range of motion in people with some types of arthritis.

Massage: Light stroking and kneading of muscles may increase blood flow and warm affected joints, temporarily relieving pain. Make sure your massage therapist knows which joints are affected by arthritis.

Making traditional medicine truly mainstream — incorporating its knowledge into modern healthcare and ensuring it meets modern safety and efficacy standards — is no easy task and is far from complete. There is rising concern among conservationists that a growing traditional medicine market threatens biodiversity through overharvesting of medicinal plants or increased use of body parts from endangered animals, such as tigers, rhinos and elephants.

The problem with traditional medicine is that it often means different things to different people. A single medicinal plant may be classified as a food, a dietary supplement or a herbal medicine, depending on where you are. The lack of regulation means there are just as many fake remedies and false practitioners as there are genuine treatments.