...American and European medical communities have been long prone to dismiss unconventional healing methods such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, and massage therapy as ineffective, or outright crackpot methods of treating illness. The view of the medical community, however, seems to have little impact of the growing popularity of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) among patients. An increasing number of people in the United States and Europe have been turning to these treatments in addition to or instead of traditional Western medicine. The sheer popularity of CAM has forced the medical community to better examine the acceptance of CAM in medicine. CAM encompasses a wide range of healing methods from acupuncture to massage therapy to herbal remedies such as St. Johnís Wort and Echinacea. Many of these remedies have been around for centuries. In the case of Acupuncture, there have been regulations on acupuncture in China and Japan for years. However, since many of these procedures have not been proven ìscientificallyî, western medicine had largely rejected the remedies as being effective forms of treatment. One professor of medicine at the Rabin Medical Center likened CAM to beliefs in magic and superstition that medicine relied on before modern scientific advances. "The deep model of Alternative medicine is anthropocentric magic. The explanations of the practitioners of alternate medicine are giving patients a set of magical rules to control the physical world, rules that...
Words: 1347 - Pages: 6
...Cancer is known by the abnormal growth of cells that is uncontrolled in the body, and these cells are also defined as malignant cells, meaning that these cells are severe and can become worse. Cancerous cells can grow very rapidly and aim to destroy healthy cells and tissue. The primary cells that are affected by these tumor cells will break away and travel to other healthy tissue and cells via the lymphatic or circulatory system, which metastasis most often to the lungs, brain, liver, and bones. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, it can be very devastating news, with the fear that this could possibly be rapidly progressed or worse, incurable. Therefore, this affects greatly not only the person who is diagnosed, but also family and friends who are close and care for this person. At one time, cancer was almost always considered a death sentence, however, with the progression of research, new treatments, cures, and early diagnosis can now help to prevent re-occurrence or in some cases can put the cancer into remission for years. With the extensive research throughout the years, advancements have been made bringing about new treatment options, the ability to detect some types of cancers earlier, and also to understand how many environmental factors, as well as genetics, can affect the growth of cancerous cells. There are multiple types of cancers based off of where the cancer originates in regards to the types of tissues or kinds of fluids that the cancer effects...
Words: 2135 - Pages: 9
...to disagree? What are embryonic stem cells? What are stem cells? Is all stem cell research considered abortion? Debates surrounding embryonic stem cell research is further complicated by social standards and needs, religious beliefs, and personal morals. In November of 1998, a group of researchers announced that they had successfully isolated and grown a special kind of cell with the potential to develop into virtually any kind of human tissue. The scientists had made the discovery of embryonic stem cells. The discovery was considered to be an innovative experience with immeasurable capabilities in the field of biological research. The research experts and scientific community believed the new discovery could lead to new methods of drug development, improve understanding of biology, and aid in the advancement of tissue and organ transplantation. They realized that there would be legal, ethical, political, and technical obstacles to overcome, but they never envisioned the “sleeping giant” that was woken due to this historic discovery in science. Stem cells are classified into two main types: embryonic stem cells and adults stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos that have developed from eggs that have been fertilized by male sperm or in a petri dish in a lab by artificial insemination. Stem cells are similar cells that have the ability to divide and differentiate into other cell types. In addition, stem cells have been discovered to have the...
Words: 951 - Pages: 4
...Stem Cell Research: A Road to Recovery Lisa Wainwright Kaplan University CM220 Stem Cell Research “Recent studies suggest these cells may hold the secret to treatment — even cures — for some of our most baffling diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.” (Reaves, 2001) With constant development in science and medicine, it was only a matter of time before scientists and doctors would be on the verge of finding cures for diseases that people everywhere have been waiting for. Stem cell research began around 1981, when scientists discovered controllability in the development of mouse embryos; however, it wasn’t until 1998 that scientists discovered how to originate human stem cells from embryos and cultivate them in a lab. (U.S. Department, 2009) President Barak Obama signed Executive Order 135005, “Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells,” on March 9, 2009. Section 1, Policy, reads, “Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds…. including human embryonic stem cell research, to the extent permitted by law.” (Obama, 2009) There are those who argue that stem cell research should be limited...
Words: 2368 - Pages: 10
...RUNNING HEAD: CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING IN PRIMARY CARE Protocol Paper Cervical Cancer Screening in Primary Care Fall, 2008 ABSTRACT In the 1970s cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have declined radically. This decrease is largely the result of many women getting regular Pap tests (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can lead to cervical cancer. Since HPV and precancerous lesions of the cervix are usually asymptomatic, prevention and regular screening remains imperative for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. Here we examine strategies for prevention, assessment, and management for cervical cancer and contemplate briefly potential implications if left undiagnosed or untreated. Cervical Cancer Screening in Primary Care Introduction Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major health concern in the United States. Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in America. There are more than 100 different types of HPV infections. Of these, 40 affect mucosal surfaces and more specifically anogenital epithelium including: Cervix, vagina, vulva, rectum, urethra, penis, and anus. The different strands of the HPV infections are divided into “high-risk” and “low-risk...
Words: 4718 - Pages: 19
...Foods derived from soybean have been shown to selectively lower the bad cholesterol and aid in reducing the chances of developing cancer. In women, soyfoods consumption minimizes the menopause symptoms. For this reason and because of its color, soybean is aptly referred as the Golden Bean. The use of soybean in foods has been rather limited outside the Orient, mainly due to the rancid-oil-like taste problem of such foods, especially those derived from soymilk. This bad taste is imparted by the catalytic action of lipoxygenase enzyme in synthesizing off-flavor causing volatiles from lipids in the bean in the presence of water and oxygen. Until recently, the only successful way of combating the offflavor problem was to kill the lipoxygenase enzyme, such as by thermal and/or chemical treatment. However, killing the enzyme is like treating cancer; for the process also adversely affects a lot of good protein cells, making the extraction of soluble protein in water very difficult. The Golden Bean was finally tamed with the invention of a natural process in which the soybeans are ground in water in the absence of air at a temperature that is too low to adversely affect the lipoxygenase enzyme and the proteins. This air-less cold-grind process permits the soluble solids in soybean to easily dissolve or make a colloid in water. Any heat treatment necessary to make the product digestible is performed only after air-less cold-grind step. It results in clean tasting soymilk ...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
... The human body is capable of many miraculous feats. Every hour, every minute, every second, millions of cells are working to maintain homeostasis within the body. This paper is going to focus on one type of cell in particular, the stem cell. The properties of this little cell are amazing. These unique cells self-regenerate through cell division, and in addition to being unspecialized, have the ability to develop into many different specialized cells of the body. Numerous studies have shown the potential of stem cells to cure cancers, as well as slow or reverse the damages of some neurological disorders, yet stem cell researchers have met with both public and legal resistance during their attempts to show the incredible usefulness of these cells. Therefore, the question is, with stem cell research showing the potential to reverse the damage from or slow the progression of neurological disorders, and possible cures for cancer and other diseases and disorders are the possible benefits too much to ignore? The ability to self-regenerate is one the things that makes the stem cell such an appealing area to study. Most cells and organs in the body do not have the ability to self-regenerate, nor self-repair but stem cells can do both. Stem cells themselves are unspecialized, in that they have so special function (Stem Cell Basics, 2009). Part of the beauty of the stem cell is that through cellular division, these unspecialized cells divide and give birth to daughter...
Words: 3681 - Pages: 15
...the opposite of the Narrator/Jack, in personality, demeanor, charm, and attraction. We find out that they are two personalities, within the same body. I had never seen Fight Club before, assuming it was just another movie about an underground fight club. Despite being such a huge fan of both Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, I avoided the movie. I was way off the mark! Per the advice of his doctor, the narrator/Jack goes to a cancer support group for men with testicular cancer, where he meets Bob. Bob, aka Robert Pulson, once a body builder, but since developing cancer, has become bankrupt, divorced, and now has female looking breast; double D’s by the size of them. He and Jack find comfort with each other, and Jack cuddles into Bob’s breast. Jack considers the therapy sessions as vacation. Jack also finds relief of his insomnia; or so we think. While at one of these sessions, Jack meets Marla Singer, who is like him, for she too attends various group therapies for comfort and they agree to alternate between sessions as neither of them are cancer victims. When asked why she does it, she says “when people think you are dying, they really listen to you”. (Fight Club, 1999) That statement speaks volumes for both of their characters and helps to explain why Tyler (Jack’s other personality) was so verbose. Jack needs to be heard. Someone needs to pay attention to him. He is socially isolated. We are introduced to Tyler when Jack is on a flight returning home. Tyler...
Words: 1467 - Pages: 6
...help these children get through the endless treatments and to understand that death is a very real possibility in their future? Who is helping the loved ones who survive the sick child move on with their lives and deal with their loss? Pediatric palliative care nurses play a big part in helping sick children and the families of the children who do not make it get through this difficult situation. A team of medical professionals work along with the palliative care team to help the family and the sick child understand what is happening and to decide the best course of action for everyone...
Words: 1232 - Pages: 5
...HIV/AIDS is a devastating disease that has killed thousands of people all over the world. It is one of the most widespread and devastating epidemics we are currently dealing with. Many factors about this virus contribute to making it spread faster, become deadlier, and leaves no one unaffected. HIV/AIDS reaches the young and the old, the rich and the poor, and those in developed and undeveloped countries. Education about the virus and how it is approached to different people also affects how it is spread, several cultural factors come into play as to how effective it is in preventing future contraction of the virus. The cultural perceptions of the virus also affect how the virus is researched and how medicines are developed for it. Religion also plays a role in how the virus is spread and can have an impact on how those who are researching the disease research it. The spread of HIV/AIDS is affected by several factors the main ones being the approach of education taken, cultural perceptions of the disease, and religion. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized as a disease in 1981 (Kshatriya, 2005, pg. 69). Before 1981 it was found in the Caribbean and in African countries but it wasn’t until those first cases in the United States were diagnosed that the disease was officially recognized. HIV/AIDS exploded in America in the early 80’s, and initially they thought that AIDS was a “gay disease” and called it GRID standing for “gay related immune disease” (Lovell...
Words: 5319 - Pages: 22
...responsibletechnology.org/gmo-education. Transgenic refers to those specific genetic engineering processes that remove genetic material from one species of animal and add it to a different species. Due to the high similarity in genetic sequences for proteins among species, transgenic organisms are able to effectively assimilate and express these trans-genes. These genetically engineered animals are also known as “transgenic” animals. This process may be called Genetic Engineering or Genetic Modification; they are one in the same. Genetic engineering enables animals to produce useful proteins and are being produced to assist with human medicine such as biopharmaceutical products. Some of these include, antibodies that can be used for the treatment of infections, cancer, organ transplant rejections, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Gene technology has only been possible since the 1960’s due to the greater understanding of DNA and how it functions following the discovery of its structure by Watson and Crick in 1953. Social and ethical implications: The generation of a new genetically engineered line of animals often involves the death of some animals and requires surgical procedures (for example, vasectomy, surgical embryo transfer) on others. These procedures are not unique to genetically engineered animals, but they are typically required for their...
Words: 1049 - Pages: 5
...learn in nursing school is in regard to a patient’s privacy and the confidentiality we are to abide by when caring for them. We learn the rules and regulations of the “Privacy Rule” and HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). These were put in place to ensure confidentiality and accountability in cases where patient’s health information is compromised, (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2014). During an episode of the television series “ER” a main character, “Nurse Hathaway”, struggles with an ethical dilemma in which she must decide whether or not to break confidentiality with her patient who is also a minor in the name of the law. This patient’s diagnosis turns out to be a serious condition, cervical cancer. The author will discuss this dilemma in terms of ethical implications, ethical theories, alternative solutions, if any, as well as the author’s position on this dilemma. The author will also refer to a landmark case, “Tarasoff vs. Regents” in which “a psychologist failed to warn a woman or her family when his patient threatened to murder the woman,” (Nathanson, 2000) to discuss confidentiality ethics. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality There are several implications when referring to the dilemma of a nurse who must decide whether to break confidentiality in order to protect the rights of the community as a whole. In this case, the patient’s behavior did not only affect herself, but also that of minors in her community...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...CHAPTER 1 The Problem and Its Setting This chapter presents the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives, significance, scope and delimitations of the study, definition of terms, review of related literature and study, research method, instruments and techniques used, sampling procedure, statistical treatment for the study and presentation of data gathered. Introduction The study is about ‘Aratilis Ointment’. The raw material is the herbal plant, Aratilis which will become a form of ointment after processing. Aratilis (Muntingia Calabura known in the Philippines as “aratilis”, “aratiles” or “saresa”) is a widely cultivated fruit-bearing tree which is abundant in tropical countries such as the Philippines. It strives in soil despite of acidity rates that most plants can’t survive on and normally grows in roadsides, open grasslands, mountains, and backyards- almost anywhere in every province in the archipelago. It is a small tree 7–12 meters tall with tiered and slightly drooping branches. It has serrated leaves 2.5–15 cm long and 1–6.5 cm wide. The flowers are small, white and slightly malodorous. It gives rise to 1–1.5 cm light red fruit. The fruit is edible, sweet and juicy, and contains a large number of tiny (0.5 mm) yellow seeds. It is a pioneer species that thrives in poor soil, able to tolerate acidic and alkaline conditions and drought. Its seeds are dispersed by birds and fruit...
Words: 2654 - Pages: 11
...institutional and granting agency review panels. The booklet is designed for health sciences researchers conducting quantitative, clinical research. However, the general concepts are applicable to most areas of inquiry. Writing an Effective Research Proposal 2 ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ Title Abstract Study Problem Rationale/Relevance of the Project Literature Review Specific Study Objectives Research Methods I. Study design II. Subjects Inclusion/exclusion criteria Sampling Recruitment plans Method of assignment to study groups III. Data collection Variables: outcomes, predictors, confounders Measures/instruments Procedures IV. Intervention V. Statistical considerations Sample size Data analysis Ethical Considerations Consent form Privacy of information Work Plan Budget Research team Dissemination Plan 3 ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ Writing an Effective Research Proposal KEYS TO SUCCESS TO WRITING A GOOD PROPOSAL Overall Quality of the Study ∗ Good research question ∗ Appropriate research design ∗ Rigorous and feasible methods ∗ Qualified research team ∗ Research questions matches data collection/data analysis Quality of the Proposal ∗ Informative title ∗ Self-sufficient and convincing abstract ∗ Clear research questions ∗ Scholarly and pertinent background and rationale ∗ Relevant previous work ∗ Appropriate population and sample ∗ Appropriate...
Words: 7581 - Pages: 31
...Media, Medicine and American Expectations What constitutes the media? Changed over time? What constitutes medicine? Health or health culture as alternate name to describe what course encompasses? Bert Hanson – medical breakthrough = social phenomenon * How has promise of medical breakthroughs influenced: media culture and patients expectations relationship between medicine and media place of medicine in American political culture How and why does the medical community use media to communicate with public? Increasingly interdependent spheres w/ differing perspectives on vision of media’s role is in “media-ted” world What makes health “news”? Producing Medical Heroes How and why has American society selected its medical heroes? How has this changed over time? What functions do depictions of heroic doctors (Walter Reed, and House, M.D.) and patients serve? How have fictional medical characters – in novels, Hollywood films, on TV – shaped expectations of medical culture? VD, HIV, and the Media How did the media contribute to the publics perception of venereal diseases and HIV? What images (both visual, and stories told to make a point) came most powerfully to cultural prominence? What were the aims of medical and public health authorities, the state, and media professionals in working to make those images publically visible? What role did the media play in changing public’s image of HIV? Stigmatization, Destigmatization, and Medical...
Words: 4711 - Pages: 19
