One of the most common uses for alternative medicine is in the management of chronic illness. Many of the alternative medical systems work hand in hand with conventional treatments for illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, arthritis and diabetes. Most of the chronic conditions are considered incurable, and treatment is aimed at slowing the progress of the disease and alleviating symptoms.
Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you'll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of AIDS, HIV and its treatments on government web sites devoted to health.
Doctors are far more likely to recommend and accept alternative treatments in the case of HIV and AIDS, since conventional medicine offers little more than prolonging life. Many alternative treatments and therapies can contribute to a better quality of life, and may extend the period of time before AIDS develops.
Nutrition Based Therapies
Most treatment programs for people with AIDS include consultation with a licensed nutritionist. Among the supplements that have been found effective in treating HIV and AIDS are vitamins C and E, which may help reduce the viral load of cells. In addition, selenium, glutamine, beta carotene and N-acetylcysteine can help with weight gain.
Herbal Medicines
There have been studies that have shown some herbal treatments are as effective for treating conditions related to AIDS and HIV than the conventional medications traditionally used. In one study, for instance, patients with shingles were given either an herbal treatment or acyclovir, a drug usually used to treat shingles. The herbal group improved more quickly than the drug group. In another study, 13 patients who were treated with cats claw, an herbal preparation, had significantly increased white blood cells after five months of treatment. Ginseng has shown some promise in treating AIDS as well.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is used to help reduce and control symptoms associated with AIDS and the side effects of medicines used to treat it. It may help alleviate symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, insomnia and diarrhea.
Mind Body Medicine
Massage may help alleviate anxiety and improve mood, as well as improve CD4 counts in some people.
There are some cautions in using alternative treatments in AIDS patients. Specifically, astragalus, which has been recommended to treat symptoms of AIDS may actually encourage the replication of the AIDS virus.
The National Institutes of Health web site includes information on alternative therapies in relation to AIDS. It also offers information about ongoing clinical trials for new treatments that may offer a chance at promising but as yet unproven therapies for those that qualify for inclusion.
Most official bodies of medicine that deal with chronic disease have adopted the attitude that providing information on alternative therapies is the best policy. Thus, you'll find information about the use of alternative therapies, ongoing clinical trials and ways that treatments like massage, aromatherapy, herbal medicines and other complementary therapies can impact treatment or ease side effects and symptoms of AIDS, HIV and its treatments on government web sites devoted to health.
Doctors are far more likely to recommend and accept alternative treatments in the case of HIV and AIDS, since conventional medicine offers little more than prolonging life. Many alternative treatments and therapies can contribute to a better quality of life, and may extend the period of time before AIDS develops.
Nutrition Based Therapies
Most treatment programs for people with AIDS include consultation with a licensed nutritionist. Among the supplements that have been found effective in treating HIV and AIDS are vitamins C and E, which may help reduce the viral load of cells. In addition, selenium, glutamine, beta carotene and N-acetylcysteine can help with weight gain.
Herbal Medicines
There have been studies that have shown some herbal treatments are as effective for treating conditions related to AIDS and HIV than the conventional medications traditionally used. In one study, for instance, patients with shingles were given either an herbal treatment or acyclovir, a drug usually used to treat shingles. The herbal group improved more quickly than the drug group. In another study, 13 patients who were treated with cats claw, an herbal preparation, had significantly increased white blood cells after five months of treatment. Ginseng has shown some promise in treating AIDS as well.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is used to help reduce and control symptoms associated with AIDS and the side effects of medicines used to treat it. It may help alleviate symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, insomnia and diarrhea.
Mind Body Medicine
Massage may help alleviate anxiety and improve mood, as well as improve CD4 counts in some people.
There are some cautions in using alternative treatments in AIDS patients. Specifically, astragalus, which has been recommended to treat symptoms of AIDS may actually encourage the replication of the AIDS virus.
The National Institutes of Health web site includes information on alternative therapies in relation to AIDS. It also offers information about ongoing clinical trials for new treatments that may offer a chance at promising but as yet unproven therapies for those that qualify for inclusion.
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