Patent medicine

Patent medicine is the somewhat misleading term given to various medical compounds sold under a variety of names and labels, though they were, for the most part, actually medicines with trademarks, not patented medicines. In ancient times, such medicine was called nostrum remedium, "our remedy" in Latin, hence the name "nostrum," that is also used for such medicines; it is a medicine whose efficacy is questionable and whose ingredients are usually kept secret. The name patent medicine has become particularly associated with the sale of drug compounds in the nineteenth century under cover of colorful names and even more colorful claims. The promotion of patent medicines was one of the first major products of the advertising industry, and many advertising and sales techniques were pioneered by patent medicine promoters. Patent medicine advertising often talked up exotic ingredients, even if their actual effects came from more prosaic drugs. One memorable group of patent medicines — liniments that allegedly contained snake oil, supposedly a universal panacea — made snake oil salesman a lasting synonym for a charlatan

Magnet therapy

Magnet therapy, magnetic therapy, magnetotherapy or magnotherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine practice involving the use of static magnetic fields. Practitioners claim that subjecting certain parts of the body to magnetostatic fields produced by permanent, typically NdFeB magnets has beneficial health effects. Magnetotherapy is considered pseudoscientific by its critics.

Bloodletting

Bloodletting (or blood-letting, in modern medicine referred to as phlebotomy) was a popular medical practice from antiquity up to the late 19th century, involving the withdrawal of often considerable quantities of blood from a patient in the hopeful belief that this would cure or prevent a great many illnesses and diseases. The practice, of unproven efficacy, has been abandoned for all except a few specific conditions as modern treatments proved or believed to be effective have been introduced. It is conceivable that historically, in the absence of other treatments for hypertension, bloodletting could sometimes have had a beneficial effect in temporarily reducing blood pressure by a reduction in blood volume.Today the term "phlebotomy" refers to the drawing of blood for laboratory analysis or blood transfusion (see Phlebotomy (modern)). Therapeutic phlebotomy refers to the drawing of a unit of blood in specific cases like hemochromatosis, polycythemia vera, porphyria cutanea tarda etc., to reduce the amount of red blood cells

Massage Theraphy

Massage is the treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutic, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading," possibly from Arabic massa "to touch, feel, handle" or from Latin massa "mass, dough". (In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage itself was anatripsis ,and the Latin was frictio.)Massage involves acting and manipulating the patient's body with pressure (structured, unstructured, stationary, and/or moving), tension, motion, or vibration done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage was patient demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.Peer-reviewed medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced trait anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety.. Theories behind what massage might do include blocking pain signals to the brain (gate control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system which may stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin, preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep .but such effects are yet to be supported by well designed clinical studies.Massage can be performed by a professional Massage Practitioner, or by other health care professionals, such as Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Athletic trainers, and/or Physical Therapists. Massage therapists work in hospitals as allied health professioners, in nursing homes, sports and fitness facilities, spas, beauty salons, cruise ships, private offices, and travel to private residences or businesses. Contraindications to massage include, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners such as Warfarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer, osteoporosis, or fractures, and fever. .In professional settings, massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting upright in a massage chair, or lying on a pad on the floor. Except for modalities such as Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Thai Massage, or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed or partially unclothed, also referred to as disrobed, and their body would be "draped" with towels or sheets.

Orthomolecular medicine

Orthomolecular medicine is a form of alternative medicine. which aims to restore the optimum environment of the body by correcting imbalances or deficiencies based on individual biochemistry using substances natural to the body such as vitamins, dietary minerals, proteins, antioxidants, amino acids, ω-3 fatty acids, ω-6 fatty acids, lipotropes, prohormones, dietary fiber and short and long chain fatty acids. It holds that such imbalances or deficiencies can be prevented, treated, or sometimes cured by achieving optimum bodily levels of these substances, either through diet or metabolism.. While many medical experts conclude that the claims of orthmolecular medicine are unsubstantiated,. research validating concepts associated with orthomolecular medicine has gained recognition in mainstream sources.

Orthomolecular medicine

Orthomolecular medicine is a form of alternative medicine. which aims to restore the optimum environment of the body by correcting imbalances or deficiencies based on individual biochemistry using substances natural to the body such as vitamins, dietary minerals, proteins, antioxidants, amino acids, ω-3 fatty acids, ω-6 fatty acids, lipotropes, prohormones, dietary fiber and short and long chain fatty acids. It holds that such imbalances or deficiencies can be prevented, treated, or sometimes cured by achieving optimum bodily levels of these substances, either through diet or metabolism.. While many medical experts conclude that the claims of orthmolecular medicine are unsubstantiated,. research validating concepts associated with orthomolecular medicine has gained recognition in mainstream sources.

Naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine (also known as naturopathy) is a complementary and alternative medicine. Naturopathic practice may include different modalities such as manual therapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, acupuncture, counseling, environmental medicine, aromatherapy, orthomolecular medicine, nutritional counseling, homeopathy, and chiropractic. Practitioners emphasize a holistic approach to patient care. Naturopathy has its origins in a variety of world medicine practices, including the Ayurveda of India and Nature Cure of Europe. . It is practiced in many countries but subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance.Naturopathic practitioners prefer not to use invasive surgery, or most synthetic drugs, preferring "natural" remedies, for instance relatively unprocessed or whole medications, such as herbs and foods. Practitioners from accredited schools are trained to use diagnostic tests such as imaging and blood tests before deciding upon the full course of treatment. If the patient does not respond to these treatments, they are often referred to physicians who utilize standard medical care to treat the disease or condition

Herbalism

Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medicinal botany,[citation needed] medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain animal parts.Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Many are secondary metabolites, of which at least 12,000 have been isolated — a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (particularly the alkaloids) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic (from Greek chiro- χειρο- "hand-" + praktikós πρακτικός "concerned with action") is a complementary and alternative medicine health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the functions of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual therapy including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation. Traditionally, it is based on the premise that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health. Today, the progressive view examines the relationship between structure and function and its impact on neurological mechanisms in both health and disease.Chiropractors, known as Doctors of Chiropractic or chiropractic doctors/physicians, in some jurisdictions,. use a combination of treatments which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. A chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/management plan which can include spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, prescription of exercises, and health and lifestyle counseling..Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by D. D. Palmer in the USA, and is now practiced in more than 100 countries.. Since its inception, chiropractic has been the subject of controversy within the profession and among the medical and scientific community, particularly regarding the metaphysical approach espoused by its founders and currently maintained by principle-based (straight) chiropractors. This same criticism may have been the catalyst that allowed some within the profession to take a more neuromusculoskeletal approach in their educational standards (see Council on Chiropractic Education), leading them away from the more metaphysical explanations of their predecessors towards more scientific ones.Chiropractors have historically fallen into two main groups, "straights" and "mixers"; both have had splinter groups. Significant differences regarding scope of practice, claims made about spinal manipulation, and beliefs regarding professional integration, differentiate the various schools of thought and practice styles held within the profession.

The Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique is a form of education that is applied to recognize and overcome reactive, habitual limitations in movement and thinking.The Alexander Technique is usually learned from individual lessons with a teacher using specialized hand contact and verbal instructions. The Technique is also taught in groups, often using short individual lessons which in turn act as examples to the rest of the class. The Technique takes its name from F. Matthias Alexander, who first observed and formulated its principles between 1890 and 1900

Complementary and alternative medicine

Alexander TechniqueChiropracticDorn methodHerbalismHolistic healthHomeopathyHypnosisMassage therapyNatural medicineNaturopathic medicineOrthomolecular medicine

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy refers to the use of meaningful occupation to assist people who have difficulty in achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle; and to enable an inclusive society so that all people can participate to their potential in daily occupations of life. Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants work with a variety of individuals who have difficulty accessing or performing meaningful occupations.Most commonly, Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants work with people with disabilities to enable them to maximize their skills and abilities. Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for living meaningful and satisfying lives.Services typically include:Customized intervention programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities.Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations.Performance skills assessments and treatment.Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training.Guidance to family members and caregivers

Medical technology

Medical technology refers to the diagnostic or therapeutic application of science and technology to improve the management of health conditions. Technologies may encompass any means of identifying the nature of conditions to allow intervention with devices, pharmacological, biological or other methods to increase life span and/or improve the quality of life

Medicine

Medicine is the science and "art" of maintaining and/or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. The term is derived from the Latin ars medicina meaning the art of healing.The modern practice of medicine occurs at the many interfaces between the art of healing and various sciences. Medicine is directly connected to the health sciences and biomedicine. Broadly speaking, the term 'Medicine' today refers to the fields of clinical medicine, medical research and surgery, thereby covering the challenges of disease and injury.

Medical physics

Medical physics is a branch of applied physics concerning the application of physics to medicine. It generally concerns physics as applied to medical imaging and radiotherapy, although a medical physicist may also work in many other areas of healthcare. A medical physics department may be based in either a hospital or a university and its work is likely to include research, technical development and clinical healthcare.Of the large body of medical physicists in academia and clinics, roughly 85% practice or specialize in various forms of therapy, 10% in Diagnostic imaging, and 5% in nuclear medicine..Areas of specialty in medical physics however are widely varied in scope and breadth

Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations, and serves as the foundation and logic of interventions made in the interest of public health and preventive medicine. It is considered a cornerstone methodology of public health research, and is highly regarded in evidence-based medicine for identifying risk factors for disease and determining optimal treatment approaches to clinical practice.The work of communicable and non-communicable disease epidemiologists ranges from outbreak investigation, to study design, data collection and analysis including the development of statistical models to test hypotheses and the 'writing-up' of results for submission to peer reviewed journals. Epidemiologists may draw on a number of other scientific disciplines such as biology in understanding disease processes and social science disciplines including sociology and philosophy in order to better understand proximate and distal risk factors

Dietitian

A dietitian (sometimes spelled dietician, although the official spelling is Dietitian) is an expert in food and nutrition. Dietitians help promote good health through proper eating. They also supervise the preparation and service of food, develop modified diets, participate in research, and educate individuals and groups on good nutritional habits. The goals of the dietary department are to obtain, prepare, and serve flavorsome, attractive, and nutritious food to patients, family members, and health care providers.In the US nutrition professionals include the registered dietitian (RD) and the dietetic technician, registered (DTR). These terms, as well as simply dietitian, are legally protected terms regulated by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Some RDs or DTRs call themselves nutritionists. However, the term nutritionist is not regulated, as dietitian is. People may call themselves nutritionists without the educational and professional requirements of registered dietitians. Dietetic technicians are not the same as dietitians in terms of responsibilities and qualifications. Different professional terms are used in other countries.In the U.S., dietitians are registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (the certifying agency of the ADA) and are only able to use the label "Registered Dietitian" when they have met strict, specific educational and professional prerequisites and passed a national registration examination

Immunology

investigate abnormalities and disturbances of the immune system associated with, for example, bacterial and viral infections, parasitic infestations, allergy, malignant and autoimmune diseases and immunological deficiencies. Changes are analysed in antibodies and other proteins. White blood cells are identified in conditions such as leukaemia and AIDS. Tests are also performed to assess responses to vaccination or treatment, and in transplant recipients to measure the function of their immune systems

Virology

Specialists detect various viruses, such as herpes simplex, influenza and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those causing, for example, infantile gastroenteritis and neonatal bronchiolitis. The work relates also to population screening programmes for immunity to hepatitis and rubella and to monitoring the efficacy of vaccines. Rapid diagnosis speeds treatment; it helps prevent the use of inappropriate antibiotics and aids the correct use of antiviral agents. Molecular biology techniques are widely applied

Cytology

In cytology biomedical scientists prepare and look at samples of cellular material collected from almost any part of the body. Although best known for screening cervical smears, they also provide a non-gynaecological service. Cells are harvested both naturally, eg from body fluids, and artificially, eg using brushes to gently scrape or fine needles to aspirate cells. Stained preparations are searched microscopically for pre-malignant and malignant cells. The specialised techniques are used in histology are also applicable to cytology

Cellular Histopathology

In a histopathology laboratory the biomedical scientist processes samples of tissues from surgical operations and autopsies. Tissue sections are cut and stained so that cellular structures and detail can be visualised under a light microscope. Lymph node, kidney or liver tissues may require specialised staining techniques to demonstrate immunological markers. Some laboratories specialise in tissues from specific organs such as the nervous system, and others in processing tissues for examination by electron microscopy

Haematology

Involves the study of the morphology and physiology of blood. They use automated instruments to enumerate blood cells and haemoglobin, microscopy to identify normal and abnormal cells and radioisotope and enzyme-linked techniques to measure vitamins. White blood cells are identified and classified using flow cytometry and specialised staining procedures. Such tests aid diagnosis and treatment of anaemia and leukaemia. Another important area is the study of abnormalities of blood coagulation (clotting).

Transfusion Science

biomedical scientists work in hospital blood banks and the blood transfusion service and are concerned with the identification of individual blood groups and test for compatibility of donors' blood with that of patients. They are also involved in specialised testing for resolution of grouping problems, the preparation of diagnostic grouping reagents, the provision of rare blood and tissue matched blood products, and the preparation of blood components and plasma fractions for administering to patients

Clinical Chemistry

scientists analyse blood and other biological materials to such tasks as the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, toxicological studies and the monitoring of therapy. Methods include the use of chemical reagents, enzymes, radioisotopes and antibodies to detect abnormal chemical concentrations in the body

Medical Microbiology

disease causing micro-organisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites - are isolated by culturing specimens on suitable media or in susceptible living cells. Serum is tested for antibodies to infective agents and for microbial antigens. The most suitable antibiotics are sought for bacterial infections, and levels of certain antimicrobials are checked in treated patients. Samples of milk, water and foodstuffs are tested to ensure their fitness for human consumption, and investigations are made relating to environmental monitoring

The Role of Biomedical Scientist

From cancer screening to diagnosing HIV, from blood transfusion for surgery to food poisoning and infection control biomedical scientists are the foundation of modern healthcare. Biomedical scientists work in partnership with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to perform many different roles in NHS laboratories. Without biomedical scientists the diagnosis of disease, the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment, and research into the causes and cures of disease would not be possible.Doctors treat their patients based on results of the vital tests and investigations that diagnose often serious and life threatening illnesses such as cancer, AIDS or diabetes. Without biomedical scientists departments such as Accident & Emergency and operating theatres could not properly function. The many roles of support by biomedical scientists for A & E and theatre surgery includes tests for emergency blood transfusions and blood grouping as well as tests on samples from patients who have overdosed on unknown substances, or may have leukaemia or are suspected of having a heart attack.The work of a biomedical scientist must be accurate and efficient because patients' lives may depend on their skills. They are continually increasing their knowledge as laboratory techniques develop and research transforms the cutting edge of science and medicine. Scientists learn to work with computers, sophisticated automated equipment, microscopes and other hi-tech laboratory equipment. They employ a wide range of complex modern techniques to perform their roles.

Allopathic medicine

Some medical dictionaries define the term Allopathy or Allopathic medicine as the treatment of disease using conventional evidence-based medical therapies, as opposed to the use of alternative medical or non-conventional therapies.The term allopathic, an adjective, is used in medicine to distinguish one form of medical practice, medical tradition, or medical profession from another. The term was coined by the founder of homeopathic medicine, and was used through the 19th Century as a derogatory term for the practitioners of orthodox medicine. The meaning and controversy surrounding the term can be traced to its original usage during a heated 19th-century debate between practitioners of homeopathy, and those they derisively referred to as "allopaths.Today, the term "allopathic medicine" has been revived by some, and its use as a synonym for mainstream medicine has become common among homeopaths. In recent years, some American M.D.s have accept the designation of "allopathic physician"; principally those that also practice alternative medicine.In the United States, "allopathic" has been used by the American Medical Association, the National Residency Matching Program, and the Association of American Medical Colleges.. These organizations use the term to distinguish the schools and residency training programs which they govern from the osteopathic medical schools and programs, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.

Health Practices

Conventional Western practicesAllopathic medicineAthletic trainingDentistryDieteticsEpidemiologyGenetic counselingMedical physicsMedicineMedical technologyNursingNutritionOccupational therapyOptometryOsteopathic medicine (Note: Osteopathy, as practiced in most countries other than the USA, is listed under complementary and alternative practices below)PharmacologyPhysical therapy (physiotherapy)Psychology, including [(Animal, Behavioural, Clinical, Health, Medical, Neuropsychology and others)]PsychoanalysisPsychotherapy, including Cognitive therapyPublic healthPhysical educationSpeech-Language PathologySurgery, including anaesthesiologyVeterinary medicine

What is Biomedical Science?

Health science is the applied science dealing with health, and it includes many sub disciplines. There are two approaches to health science: the study and research of the human body and health-related issues to understand how humans (and animals) function, and the application of that knowledge to improve health and to prevent and cure diseases.Health research builds upon the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics as well as a variety of multidisciplinary fields (for example medical sociology). Some of the other primarily research-oriented fields that make exceptionally significant contributions to health science are biochemistry, epidemiology, and genetics. See also life sciences and life science academic disciplines.Applied health sciences also endeavor to better understand health, but in addition they try to directly improve the health of individuals and of people in general. Some of these are: biomedical engineering, biotechnology, nursing, nutrition, pharmacology, pharmacy, public health, psychology, physical therapy, and medicine. The provision of services to improve people's health is referred to as health care (see below). See also branches of medicine.The health sciences industry, a multi-billion dollar business sector, is a cross-section of the life sciences and the health care and medical diagnostics industries.