 Up to two-thirds of patients with MS use CAM. Continue reading CAM use in multiple sclerosis
Category Archives: Aromatherapy
CAM use in functional bowel disorder
 One-third of these patients use CAM.
Are they dissatisfied with mainstream treatments? Continue reading CAM use in functional bowel disorder
Gynecomastia associated with excessive use of lavender oil and tea tree oil
The New England Journal of Medicine has published a report of 3 boys aged 4, 7, and 10 who were diagnosed with gynecomastia, which the authors attributed to the use of the oils when it resolved after they stopped using them.
Thanks to a reader who brings us up to date. Continue reading Gynecomastia associated with excessive use of lavender oil and tea tree oil
Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
Actually, it hasn’t been studied very much.
But here’s what we know so far.
Continue reading Pain management during labor: Is there a role for CAM?
Massage for what ails ya
Beliefnet lists 9 forms of massage. How many can you name? Continue reading Massage for what ails ya
Aromatherapy and cats: Caution
Thumbing through the August 2007 issue of Cat Fancy magazine, I found an article with the following caveats. Continue reading Aromatherapy and cats: Caution
Aromatherapy: Feel good or make well?
Here’s a hint.
The most comprehensive study of aromatherapy failed to show improvement in immune status, wound healing, or pain control. Continue reading Aromatherapy: Feel good or make well?
The value of CAM for pain relief during labor
Professor Michel Tournaire and Dr. Anne Theau-Yonneau have reviewed the literature.
Few publications report a statistically significant reduction in labor pain? Here’s what we know about pain relief and other outcomes. I’ll summarize the more familiar options. Continue reading The value of CAM for pain relief during labor
Regulating CAM in the UK
Presently, “Anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist, homoeopath, herbalist, or other complementary therapist,” reports TimesOnLine.
This will change in April 2008. Continue reading Regulating CAM in the UK
Aromatherapy calms dogs during car travel
Are you taking the dog to visit grandma this year? Diffused lavender odor may be a practical approach to manage travel-induced excitement in dogs that are prone to that sort of thing.
In the finest tradition of a cross over study design, 32 dogs were exposed to the natural environment or the odor of lavender in random order during 6 rides to familiar walking sites.
Compared to normal odors, dogs surrounded by lavender in the car spent…
The effect of a familiar odor on newborns during an uncomfortable procedure
Exposure to a familiar odor was associated with less crying. Continue reading The effect of a familiar odor on newborns during an uncomfortable procedure
Deadly depression in people with heart failure
This report provides a reason to review the past few months of CAM studies and reviews on depression. Continue reading Deadly depression in people with heart failure
Dissapointing recommendations to treat Alzheimer’s disease
These recommendations, from a group of experts, take a narrow view of Alzheimer’s disease. They focus on early detection and the use of existing prescription drugs.
That’s fine as far as it goes, but what about those with advanced Alzheimer’s? Why not develop a more comprehensive approach?
If I might quote Paul Harvey, “here’s the rest of the story.” Continue reading Dissapointing recommendations to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Complementary therapies for cancer-related fatigue
Reviewers from the Mayo Clinic are not ready to support any single CAM option, but some warrant further study, in their opinion. Continue reading Complementary therapies for cancer-related fatigue
British Association for Psychopharmacology rates CAM for dementia
Actually, they reviewed more than CAM, but that’s what will be covered here.
Continue reading British Association for Psychopharmacology rates CAM for dementia
Attitudes of pharmacy faculty and students toward CAM
Overall, they are positive, at least at the University of Minnesota. Continue reading Attitudes of pharmacy faculty and students toward CAM
Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Dr. Sheila Wilhelm and two colleagues at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit have published a review in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy on preventing nausea and vomiting following surgery (ie, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PONY).
It’s nice to see CAM options considered along with pharmacological options. Continue reading Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
CAM from a biblical perspective
It claims to be “the most comprehensive, current, well-balanced, and trustworthy information available from both a scientific and a biblical perspective.”
Here’s the premise for Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, by Donal O’Mathuna and Walt Larimore, MD
Evaluating CAM to treat nausea and vomiting in cancer patients
The Oncology Nursing Society has posted a table that summarizes CAM studies on the treatment of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. The studies were published between 1988 and 2005.
Here’s a summary of their findings.
Continue reading Evaluating CAM to treat nausea and vomiting in cancer patients
The use of CAM by people with asthma
During the most recent meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians Dr. Paul Blanc from the University of California at San Francisco reported that half of all people with asthma use CAM.
Here are the highlights from Medscape.