ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

In 2002, the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Section staff of the National Library of Medicine classifies alternative medicine under the term complementary therapies. This is defined as therapeutic practices which are not currently considered an integral part of conventional allopathic medical practice. They may lack biomedical explanations but as they become better researched some, such as physical therapy, diet, and acupuncture, become widely accepted whereas others, such as humors or radium therapy, quietly fade away, yet are important historical footnotes. Therapies are termed as Complementary when used in addition to conventional treatments and as Alternative when used instead of conventional treatment.
The National Library of Medicine's previous definition was an unrelated group of non-orthodox therapeutic practices, often with explanatory systems that do not follow conventional biomedical explanations and non-orthodox therapeutic systems which have no satisfactory scientific explanation for their effectiveness.
Others define it as medical interventions not taught at United States medical schools or not available at United States hospitals.
The Panel on Definition and Description, CAM Research Methodology Conference, Office of Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, April 1995 defined complementary and alternative medicine as a broad domain of healing resources that encompasses all health systems, modalities, and practices and their accompanying theories and beliefs, other than those intrinsic to the politically dominant health system of a particular society or culture in a given historical period. CAM includes all such practices and ideas self-defined by their users as preventing or treating illness or promoting health and well being. Boundaries within CAM and between CAM domain and the domain of the dominant system are not always sharp or fixed.
Alternative therapies include, but are not limited to the following disciplines: folk medicine, herbal medicine, diet fads, homeopathy, faith healing, new age healing, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy, massage, and music therapy.
Studies suggest these therapies are sought out by individuals that have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, arthritis, cancer, back pain, and other medical conditions.
At the present time, I am unable to provide assistance to individuals seeking information on specific treatments or diseases. For specific disease, therapeutic, or treatment information, please use the links on this page or consult with a health practitioner.
I am unable to review specific modalities, therapies, dietary supplements, or to make any recommendations on their effectiveness. Again you should consult with your health practitioner.
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Conferences on Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine conferences can be viewed on the given link (Taken fom google search).
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Role of GPx and TNF-alpha in Elderly Primigravidas

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2008 / 23 (3) 227-232
NORMAL DELIVERY INDUCED STRESS ALTERS GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE AND TNF-α IN ELDERLY PRIMIGRAVIDAS MONONUCLEAR CELLS

Nasreen Noor, Najmul Islam*, Shagufta Moin, Abbas Ali Mahdi**, Sapna Jaiswal** and Farzana Bano***
Departments of Obstetrics &Gynecology and *Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, J. N. Medical College, A. M. U., Aligarh,
**Department of Biochemistry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India, and
***Department of Biochemistry, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India.
ABSTRACT
To probe the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity coupled to ROS and TNF-α levels in younger versus elderly primigravidas. Monocytes were isolated from blood of young and elderly primigravidas after 12 hrs, hrs and 14 days postpartum. Age-matched healthy female donors served as controls. Thereafter, the above monocytes were subjected to evaluation of GPx activity, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and reactivity specificity towards anti-TNF-α antibody. Suppression in GPx activity with simultaneous enhancement of
TNF-α levels in monocytes was observed after 12 hrs and 24 hrs of spontaneous labor pain-induced maternal delivery through normal vaginal route. Conversely, an enhancement of GPx activity and decrease in TNF- levels were observed on day 14 of postpartum, thereby indicating reversal of the impaired neutralizing mechanisms. The antioxidant network combating ROS was stronger in younger primigravidas. Capability of TNF-α and ROS suppression was somewhat lesser in elderly primigravidas even 14 days of postpartum via normal vaginal route. The capability of GPx activity enhancement with simultaneous suppression in ROS and TNF-α, decreases in elderly primigravidas. This may act as one of the important parameters leading to a
variety of complications encountered by elderly primigravidas.
KEY WORDS
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Monocytes, Glutathione peroxidase.
Address for Correspondence :
Dr. Najmul Islam
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Medicine, J. N. Medical College,
AMU, Aligarh 202002, India
Mobile : +91-9412876384
E-mail : najmulamu@gmail.com