Reply to  these posts with a reflection of their response.Minimun 200words each one 

1. In this week’s discussion, I was able to: Integrate nursing and related sciences into the delivery of care to patients. I was also able to analyze quality initiatives to improve patients’ health outcomes.

     Alternative and Complementary medicines are considered health-cultured practices, that are not part of traditional medicine and that have been part of the holistic culture of the populations. They are used as an alternative or in addition to traditional medical treatments with the goal of improving patients’ outcomes (Lee, Richard, et al., 2022). Alternative and Complementary medicines can include therapies such as dietary supplements, herbs, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, yoga, reiki, ayurvedic medicine, complementary supplements, etc (Adeniyi, Washington, et al., 2021). The reasons for using these alternative methods can be many: Cultural, religious, economic, etc. However, as many people use it most of the time, it is important to analyze this point and share our opinion on this matter.

     It is well-known that many people from the general population are used to taking self-prescribed natural treatments. In the first term, we can name herbal medications. In general culture and even in religion, people believe that herbs have a good effect in the treatment of some diseases such as hypertension or Diabetes Mellitus. Many people think that herbs were created by God in order to provide natural treatment for diseases. Actually, many people believe that herbal medicines are better choices as they don’t have undesirable effects at all. Some people prefer to take natural medication rather than medical treatments, as they think that pharmacological preparations are made of chemical and artificial ingredients that can be harmful to the body. Moreover, people trust natural treatments for cancer, as it is thought that they can potentially inhibit oncology cell growth. However, researchers have determined that about 80% of the patients do take their pharmacological treatment in addition to a natural treatment (Adeniyi, Washington et, al. 2021). However, there are some natural treatments that, in addition to pharmacological treatment, can cause adverse effects, for example, ginkgo can increase the anticoagulant effect; ginseng and some teas can decrease the anticoagulant effect (Izzo 2005). Other natural treatments such as exercises, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture, are also used and well-known as coadjuvants to release stress and that way help improve clinical condition.

     In conclusion, the healthcare team needs to accept that alternative and natural treatments are part of the culture and religion of the population. So it is very important to establish a good and trustable relationship with the patient, so he/she can feel confident enough to tell the healthcare provider about the alternative treatments that are been taken, as sometimes they can help, but sometimes they can be harmful. In the end, a closed and trustable relationship with the patient and a good assessment is the basis for the best possible outcomes.

2. The allopathic or conventional medicine is practiced by doctors and health personnel. Complementary medicine refers to the practice of medicine that complements conventional medicine, that is, it is used in conjunction with conventional medicine. An example includes the use of acupuncture in pain management. Alternative medicine, on the other hand, is the use of complementary and alternative medicine as a replacement for traditional medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine are very varied. Within them, we find natural products related to botanical medicine and probiotics. We also find mind and body therapy, such as meditation techniques, yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and deep relaxation exercises, among others.

In the treatment of cancer, it has been proven that the use of complementary and alternative therapy has been useful in managing the patient’s symptoms. However, it is not considered a miraculous medicine in the cure of cancer; it simply helps, in conjunction with conventional medicine, to manage some symptoms that cancer patients experience. For example, acupuncture treatment can help alleviate symptoms related to pain, therapeutic massages have been shown according to some research studies to reduce depression, pain, and depressive anxiety disorders related to cancer disease (American Cancer Society, 2019). However, some harmful health effects and interactions with medications have been shown, especially in treatment with botanical medicine, so it is recommended that your doctor be notified of its use before starting treatment to avoid drug interactions and potential harm to health (American Cancer Society, 2019).

Holistic medicine, unlike conventional medicine, is not focused on treating diseases as allopathic medicine does. Rather, it is preventative medicine, although it can be integrated with allopathic medicine in some instances. Holistic medicine is based on the fact that illnesses appear as a consequence or result of environmental, physical, social and/or emotional imbalances (Cannon, 2023). Therefore, its essence is to heal the body and mind with alternative therapies to maintain their balance and prevent the onset of illness. Holistic medicine dates back to ancient times, and after the appearance of conventional medicine, it was somewhat abandoned. However, in around the 1960s in Europe and America, the properties of holistic medicine regained popularity. An example of this is homeopathy, which can be used to recover body vitality as holistic medicine, but it can also be used as an adjunct treatment to allopathic medicine. The use of phytotherapy has had great success in the management of certain diseases, such as those of the immune system, favoring healing.

In the management of high blood pressure and diabetes, the practice of natural medicine plays a fundamental role as an adjunct to integrated medicine; even natural medicine can be used as a technique for the prevention of these diseases. The practice of a balanced and healthy diet, daily physical exercise, relaxation techniques and stress management are determining factors in the prevention of arterial hypertension, cancer, and diabetes. Other natural medicine can be used, for example omega 3 is an essential oil that can be used to prevent special hyperlipidemia in patients with chronic disease.

Both allopathic and holistic medicine have an important role on patient care, and together, they can give the best result in the management of the disease. As a provider, we need to offer the patient different option to treat their condition, but we need to be respectful of patients’ autonomy in their decision.