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Conventional and Complementary medicineChapter 15

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Self-Care

Self-Assessment Symptoms are often an expression of the body’s attempt to heal itself

Carefully observing symptoms lets you identify those signals that suggest you need professional assistance Body’s vital signs

Temperature Heart rate

Medical self-tests Blood pressure Blood sugar Pregnancy detection Urinary tract infections

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KNOWING WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN See a physician for symptoms that you would describe as:1. Severe2. Unusual3. Persistent4. Recurrent

Emergencies include the following:1. Major trauma or injury2. Uncontrollable bleeding3. Intolerable and uncontrollable pain4. Severe shortness of breath5. Persistent abdominal pain6. Poisoning or drug overdose7. Loss of consciousness or seizure8. Stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation9. Severe or worsening reaction to an insect bite

or sting or to a medication 3

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SELF-TREATMENT Non-drug options Self-medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications Simple guidelines to self-medicate safely:

1. Always read labels2. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or length

of treatment3. Use caution if you are taking other medications4. Try to select medications with one active

ingredient 5. Try to buy generic drugs6. Never take or give a drug from an unlabeled

container7. If pregnant or nursing, or have a chronic

condition, consult health care provider before self-medicating

8. Follow expiration date9. Store your medications in a cool, dry place10. Use caution with aspirin

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FIGURE 15.1 READING AND UNDERSTANDING OTC DRUG LABELS

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Professional care

System of broad network of professionals and organizations, including: Independent practitioners Health care providers Hospitals Clinics Public and private insurance programs

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) Most commonly used CAM therapies:

Relaxation techniques Herbal medicine Massage Chiropractic 6

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Conventional medicine Premises and assumptions of conventional medicine Western medicine is the belief that disease is caused by identifiable physical factors Identifies:

Pathogens Bacteria or viruses

Genetic factors Unhealthy lifestyles

Based on scientific method of obtaining knowledge Empirical Rational Testable Parsimonious General Rigorously evaluated Tentative

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The providers of conventional medicine Medical doctors (MD) Doctors of osteopathic medicine (OD) Podiatrists Optometrists Dentists Allied health care providers:

Registered nurses (RN) Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) Physical therapists (PT) Social workers Registered dietitians (RDs) Physician assistants (PA) Nurse practitioners Certified nurse midwives

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Choosing a primary care physician Begin making a list of possible choices Check insurance limits Ask for recommendations

Family, friends, coworkers, local medical societies, and the physician referral service

Once you have a list of physicians, call their office and find out some information Is the physician covered by your insurance plan?

What are the office hours? Which hospitals does the physician use? How many other physicians are available to cover when unavailable?

How long does it usually take to get an appointment?

Does the physician give advice over the phone?

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEDICAL CARE The physician-patient partnership Your appointment with your physician The diagnostic process

Physical exam Diagnostic testing

X-rays Biopsies Blood and urine tests Scans Endoscopies

Medical and surgical treatments Prescription medications Surgery

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Complementary and alternative medicine

CAM tends to focus on an integration of mind, body, and spirit in seeking ways to restore the whole person to harmony

Alternative medical systems Traditional chinese medicine (TCM)

Harmonious flow of qi produces health Herbal remedies Acupuncture

QI is believed to flow through the body along several meridians (pathways)

Homeopathy “Like cures like”

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Mind-body interventions

Intervention makes use of the integral connection between mind and body Meditation Yoga Visualization Taijiquan Biofeedback

Hypnosis

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Biological-Based therapies

Consist primarily of: Herbal therapies or remedies Botanicals Extracts from animal tissues Dietary supplements

Common element in most systems of traditional medicine

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Manipulative and body-based methods

Touch and body manipulation are long-standing forms of health care

Manual healing is based on the idea that misalignment or dysfunction in one part of the body causes pain or dysfunction in another part

Chiropractic medicine

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Energy therapies

Forms of treatment that use energy originating either within the body (biofields) or from other sources (electromagnetic fields)

Qigong Therapeutic touch Reiki Bioelectromagnetic-based therapies

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Evaluating complementary and alternative therapies

Working with your physician Areas to discuss

Safety Effectiveness Timing Cost

Questioning the CAM practitioner Why he or she thinks the therapy will be beneficial

Describe in detail any conventional treatments you are receiving

Ask how long the therapy should last Ask about the expected cost of the treatment

Doing your own research16

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Paying for health care

The current system Combination of private and public insurance plans, patient out-of-pocket payments, and government assistance

Health insurance Traditional fee-for service (indemnity) plans Managed-care plans

Health maintenance organizations (HMO) Preferred provider organizations (PPO) Point-of-service (POS) plans

Health savings accounts (HSAs) Government programs

Medicare Medicaid

Choosing a policy17

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Conventional and Complementary medicineChapter 15