David Caig asked:


If you have been undergoing traditional medical treatment for an ailment and it has not alleviated the symptoms, you may want to consider an alternative form of treatment. It is wise to do so after consultation with your medical practitioner, many doctors are now seeing the benefits that can be obtained by using a more natural and wholistic approach to disease and illness. If your doctor dismisses all forms of alternative therapy as “quackery” then it may be time to find a new doctor.

Alternative therapy practices have gained much more respect over the past few years and many people have had almost miraculous cures.  There are a great many choices now available within the alternative medical world with almost as many treatments as there are practitioners. It is important when choosing a medical treatment plan that you research the alternatives as thoroughly as you can. There are many different treatment options, including those from traditional medicine, that you will need to choose from to suit your body.

One of the most common and widely accepted alternatives is chiropractic for back pain, spinal and general wellbeing.  Acupuncture and acupressure have also become very popular and are now accepted by many as effective ways of treating illness and pain.  Herbal remedies and Chinese herbal medicines are now being taken in place of many medications as are homeopathic remedies.

Detox diet’s are a great way to improve general wellbeing for those who do not want to use, or wish to reduce, the medicines and other prescribed items which often contain harmful chemicals and can have nasty side effects.

Some alternative therapies focus on touch.  These include massage, Rolfing, Reiki, and therapeutic touch.  Other alternative therapy treatments involve your other senses such as aromatherapy (sense of smell); color therapy and light therapy (sense of sight) and music and sound therapy will involve your sense of hearing.

Prayer or meditation can also be of great benefit.  As can the use of yoga, hypnosis, magnetic therapy, polarity therapy, apitherapy, and biofeedback. There are many other alternatives available as well and your doctor should have some knowledge of them. Not all therapies will be suitable or will work for you, everyone is different.

Finding a good alternative therapy practitioner can be tricky you must find a professional to do the treatment.   You need to watch out for those who are not certified or qualified to provide the service.  In most cases, practicing without certification is against the law. You need to do your research and then shop around for the best prices. Ask your doctor to recommend an alternative treatment and reputable practitioner. 

Remember word of mouth is usually the best way to find a good therapy provider.  Talk to your family, friends and colleagues about local providers.  The internet is a good source for information and reviews on different alternative therapies available. Some Government agencies may be able to give you information on whether a particular therapy practice has had any complaints made against it. Good health care is vitally important and you need to make the most informed decisions you can.

Jamesdragnou asked:


Medical and Non–medical Treatments

Treatment for obesity will be most successful if you create a long-term plan with your doctor. A reasonable goal might be to begin making lifestyle changes by increasing physical activity and limiting calories. It is expected that an individual with a BMI ?30 kg/m2, as well as those with a BMI of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 in addition to two or more disease risk factors must attempt to lose weight either with medical or non-medical treatments. Non-medical means are:

Lifestyle Modification – By adhering to a program of diet, exercise, and behavior therapy, one adheres to a particular regimen for a discrete period of time, implementing dietary and behavioral changes that can be sustained indefinitely to promote health. Dietary Interventions – Designed to create a negative energy balance, dietary intervention reduced one’s daily energy intake so much so that it stays below one’s energy requirement limit. This greatly varies by sex, weight, and level of physical activity involved. Physical Activity – The greatest benefit of physical activity is its facilitative action in weight loss maintenance. Behavior Therapy – This type of therapy provides patients a set of principles and techniques to facilitate their adherence to the diet and activity goals that they have set for themselves. Over-the-counter herbal weight loss supplements – These supplements are generally known as ‘fat burners’ and work by boosting the body’s metabolism. Doctors have often prescribed these weight loss supplements, though the progress has always been closely monitored. However, these supplements are strongly discouraged due to a lack of labeling of ingredients on these products, and because they have the ability to cause a drastic increase in blood pressure and heart problems.

Medical intervention includes:

Pharmacological Interventions – As BMI or disease risk increases, more intensive options are available for the treatment of obesity. Two medications — sibutramine (Reductil) and orlistat

Alien asked:

Description

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, not degenerative, disease. It first appears as an inflammation in a joint’s synovium, the membrane that lines and lubricates the joint. Once inflamed, the membrane thickens and become sore and swollen-which in turn may limit the affected joint’s movement. In time, this inflammation spreads to other parts of the affected joint, causing even more stiffness and pain. Eventually, the inflammation can spread to organs, such as the heart, lungs, and eyes. Its ability to spread throughout the body makes rheumatoid arthritis a systemic disease-a disease that affects the entire body.

Inflammation is not a harmful state, per se. It’s actually your body’s normal response to infections and injuries, caused when your white cells battle an invading organism. Typically, the inflammation subsides after the infection is wiped out. However, with rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune system seems to fight the body instead of protecting it.

While the disease can strike at any time, it usually occurs between the ages 20 and 50. It affects approximately three times as many women as men.

Unlike illnesses that have a set progression of symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis is unpredictable. What symptoms appear, how often they appear, and what joints and organs are affected vary widely, depending on the individual. In some sufferers, rheumatoid arthritis will flare up occasionally, only to be followed by periods of normal health. Others experience recurring attacks without returning to a state of full wellness in between. Many experience a slow and steady increase in the severity of their symptoms over time.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis develop small lumps under the skin near the elbow, ears, or nose, or on the back of the scalp, over the knee, or under the toes. Called rheumatoid nodules, these painless and non-problematic bumps range from the size of a pea to the size of a Ping-Pong ball.

While medical experts have not identified a single cause for rheumatoid arthritis, possibilities include heredity, viral or bacterial infection, and emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint-most commonly affects the smaller joints of your hands and feet, but elbows, knees, and ankles can be affected

Usually affects joints symmetrically (both hands, for example)

Overall stiffness and achiness, especially after periods of stillness, such as sleeping or long plane rides

Symptoms are worse in the early morning and lessen as the day progresses. General malaise/weakness

Anemia

Pain usually occurs during rest and movement

Conventional Medical Treatment

A series of blood tests, along with a thorough physical exam and medical history, can confirm whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. X-rays may also be helpful. Strategies for treating rheumatoid arthritis differ, depending on whether it is active or in remission. During a flare-up, a combination of rest, heat, and medication is prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugsaspirin, in particular are the first line of treatment and may ease symptoms. There are several other medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe gold salts, penicellamine, methotrexate, azathioprine, or anti-malarials, depending on how your symptoms progress. Corticosteroids can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation, but they are usually reserved for those with more serious disease.

Physical therapy plays a major role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is most effective when swelling and inflammation of the joint are suppressed with medications. Physical therapy can reduce deformity and restore function.

In severe cases, surgical removal of affected joint lining can prevent damage to other joint structures and cartilage. Another surgical procedure fuses the painful, uncushioned bones together but is only performed on the wrist, feet, ankles, and thumbs because it restricts motion. Tendon transfer is another surgical option for repairing damaged tendons and ligaments it is performed most frequently on the hands. Another option is arthroplasty, or joint replacement, which is usually performed on knees, hips, and shoulders.