Consumer preference of medicine
Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness.
Television in India has been in existence for nigh on four decades. For the first 17 years, it spread haltingly and transmission was mainly in black & white. The thinkers and policy makers of the country, which had just been liberated from centuries of colonial rule, frowned upon television, looking on at it as a luxury Indians could do without. In 1955 a Cabinet decision was taken disallowing any foreign investments in print media which has since been followed religiously for nearly 45 years. Sales of TV sets, as reflected by licences issued to buyers were just 676,615 until 1977.
Contemporary medicine applies health science, biomedical research, and medical technology to diagnose and treat injury and disease, typically through medication, surgery, or some other form of therapy. The word medicine is derived from the Latin ars medicina, meaning the art of healing.
Though medical technology and clinical expertise are pivotal to contemporary medicine, successful face-to-face relief of actual suffering continues to require the application of ordinary human feeling and compassion, known in English as bedside manner.
Everyone knows what medicines are for - to make you feel better when you are sick. But many people don't realize that all medicines have risks as well as benefits. The risks of medicines include unwanted side effects or interactions with food or other medicines you may be taking. Some risks are not very serious, like an upset stomach. Others, like liver damage, are more serious.
Different Types of Medicines There are three broad categories of medicines - prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and complementary medicines.
You can only purchase a prescription medicine if you have a prescription for it from your doctor. Examples of prescription medicines include contraceptive pills, antibiotics and strong painkillers.
Complementary medicines (also known as 'traditional' or 'alternative' medicines) include vitamin, mineral, herbal, aromatherapy and homoeopathic products. Like OTC products, these products are available without a prescription. What is your medicine called?
All medicines have two names:
Some products contain a combination of medicines. Combination products usually have one brand name. However, the individual ingredients will all be listed on the packet.
Alternative medicines are complete systems of theory and practice. Many of them had developed before the advent of the conventional medicine. Eastern culture had come up with ancient systems like traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, etc.; while, systems like naturopathy and homeopathy have their roots in western culture.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: It has its origin in China and includes many treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy etc. The whole system is based on the philosophy that good health requires balanced flow of chi or energy of life. It also necessitates balance of yinand yang or opposing forces in the body. As per this system, a disease is caused by the imbalance of yin and yang, which in turn hinders the proper flow of chi, through the channels called meridians, which are said to be connected to the various organs of the body.
Acupuncture: It is the most popular among the various therapies under the umbrella of traditional Chinese medicine. It is basically stimulation of specific points of the body using various techniques. The most widely-accepted technique is the insertion of hair-thin metallic needles into the strategic points of the body, either manually or by machines.
Acupuncture helps in releasing the chi, (also spelled qi, or ki) which is blocked in the meridians. This is done by stimulating the acupoints on the body by needles, which are connected to the meridians. It is said that there are around 2,000 acupoints and 14 meridians in the human body. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of diseases. It is said that this mode of treatment gives relief to persons suffering from headaches, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, lower back pain, etc.
Ayurveda:
Ayurveda is more of a lifestyle than a treatment. This system emphasizes on prevention of diseases. Ayurveda, with its roots in India, consists of various modes of treatment, like yoga, diet, massage, herbal medicine, internal cleansing etc. It is based on the theory that the human body is made up of three
elements or doshas called vata, pitta and kapha. According to ayurveda, these doshas are responsible for the basic characteristics of a person. The proportion of these elements varies in different individuals. Any imbalance in the proportion results in illness. Ayurveda tries to reach the ideal state of balance for a particular individual through diet, massage, herbal medicine and various other techniques. It is believed that ayurveda can efficiently treat persons with digestion problems, stress and fatigue, joint disorders etc.
Allopathic
medicine and allopathy (from Greek ἄλλος, állos, other, different + πάϑος, páthos, suffering) are terms coined by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. It meant "other than the disease" and it was intended, among other things, to point out how traditional doctors used methods that had nothing to do with the symptoms created by the disease and which, in Hahnemann's view, meant that these methods were harmful to the patients.
Originally intended as a characterization of standard medicine in the early 19th century, these terms were rejected by mainstream physicians and quickly acquired negative overtones. During the 19th century it was used widely among irregular doctors as a pejorative term for regular doctors. In the United States the term "allopathic" has been used by persons not related to homeopathy, but it has never been accepted by the medical establishment, and is not a label that such individuals apply to themselves.
Ayurveda is considered to be a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in thewestern world, where several of its methods, such as the use of herbs, massage, and yoga, are applied on their own as a form of CAM treatment.
Naturopathy: As the name suggests, naturopathy has a natural approach to healing. Although this system is centuries old, modern naturopathy was founded and named by German physician Benedict Lust in the 20th century. Naturopathy focuses on two domains - body's healing power and lifestyle changes for better health. It includes hydrotherapy or water therapy and nature cure i.e. using natural elements like air, water, light, food and herbs to treat diseases. Sometimes, the treatment may be combined with homeopathy, acupuncture or exercises.
Homeopathy: Homeopathy relies on body's healing power. It is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. As a treatment, it uses minute doses of a substance to produce the symptoms of a disease similar to the one experienced by the patient, thus invoking the self-healing power of the body. While administering treatment, the physical and mental conditions of the patient are also taken into consideration. Homeopathy has its origin in Germany and Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, is considered to be the founder of this system.
Homeopathy
(also spelled homoeopathy or homœopathy) is a form of alternative medicine, first proposed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations. Based on an ipse dixitaxiom formulated by Hahnemann which he called the law of similars, preparations which cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals are given as the treatment for patients exhibiting similar symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking, which homeopaths term succussion, after each dilution under the assumption that this increases the effect of the treatment. Homeopaths call this process potentization. Dilution often continues until none of the original substance remains.
Apart from the symptoms of the disease, homeopaths use aspects of the patient's physical and psychological state in recommending remedies. Homeopathic reference books known as repertories are then consulted, and a remedy is selected based on the totality of symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are, with rare exceptions, considered safe though homeopathy has been criticized for putting patients at risk due to advice against conventional such as vaccinations, anti-malarial drugs, and antibiotics.
Homeopathy's efficacy beyond the placebo effect is unsupported by the collective weight of scientific and clinical evidence. While some individual studies have positive results, systematic reviews of published trials fail to demonstrate efficacy conclusively. Furthermore, higher quality trials tend to report less positive results, and most positive studies have not been replicated or show methodological problems that prevent them from being considered unambiguous evidence of homeopathy's efficacy. A 2010 inquiry into the evidence base for homeopathy conducted by the United Kingdom'sHouse of Commons Science and Technology Committee concluded that homeopathy is no more effective than placebo.
Television in India has been in existence for nigh on four decades. For the first 17 years, it spread haltingly and transmission was mainly in black & white. The thinkers and policy makers of the country, which had just been liberated from centuries of colonial rule, frowned upon television, looking on at it as a luxury Indians could do without. In 1955 a Cabinet decision was taken disallowing any foreign investments in print media which has since been followed religiously for nearly 45 years. Sales of TV sets, as reflected by licences issued to buyers were just 676,615 until 1977.
Contemporary medicine applies health science, biomedical research, and medical technology to diagnose and treat injury and disease, typically through medication, surgery, or some other form of therapy. The word medicine is derived from the Latin ars medicina, meaning the art of healing.
Though medical technology and clinical expertise are pivotal to contemporary medicine, successful face-to-face relief of actual suffering continues to require the application of ordinary human feeling and compassion, known in English as bedside manner.
Everyone knows what medicines are for - to make you feel better when you are sick. But many people don't realize that all medicines have risks as well as benefits. The risks of medicines include unwanted side effects or interactions with food or other medicines you may be taking. Some risks are not very serious, like an upset stomach. Others, like liver damage, are more serious.
Different Types of Medicines There are three broad categories of medicines - prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and complementary medicines.
- Prescription Medicines
You can only purchase a prescription medicine if you have a prescription for it from your doctor. Examples of prescription medicines include contraceptive pills, antibiotics and strong painkillers.
- Over the Counter (OTC) Medicines
Over-the-counter products include cough/cold products, mouthwash and sunscreen. You don’t need a prescription to obtain OTC products. Some OTC medicines can only be purchased from a pharmacy (chemist), and many are also available from supermarkets and health food shops.
Complementary medicines (also known as 'traditional' or 'alternative' medicines) include vitamin, mineral, herbal, aromatherapy and homoeopathic products. Like OTC products, these products are available without a prescription. What is your medicine called?
All medicines have two names:
- A Generic name
Each medicine has an approved name called the generic name. This name does not change. A group of medicines that work in a similar way often have similar sounding generic names. For example, penicillin, ampicillin, amoxycillin and flucloxacillin are the generic names for a group of antibiotics. - A Brand name
Many medicines also have one or more brand names. This name is chosen by the company that makes it. Several companies may make the same medicine, each with their own brand name. A product from the same company may also be called by different brand names in different countries.
Some products contain a combination of medicines. Combination products usually have one brand name. However, the individual ingredients will all be listed on the packet.
Alternative medicines are complete systems of theory and practice. Many of them had developed before the advent of the conventional medicine. Eastern culture had come up with ancient systems like traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, etc.; while, systems like naturopathy and homeopathy have their roots in western culture.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: It has its origin in China and includes many treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet therapy etc. The whole system is based on the philosophy that good health requires balanced flow of chi or energy of life. It also necessitates balance of yinand yang or opposing forces in the body. As per this system, a disease is caused by the imbalance of yin and yang, which in turn hinders the proper flow of chi, through the channels called meridians, which are said to be connected to the various organs of the body.
Acupuncture: It is the most popular among the various therapies under the umbrella of traditional Chinese medicine. It is basically stimulation of specific points of the body using various techniques. The most widely-accepted technique is the insertion of hair-thin metallic needles into the strategic points of the body, either manually or by machines.
Acupuncture helps in releasing the chi, (also spelled qi, or ki) which is blocked in the meridians. This is done by stimulating the acupoints on the body by needles, which are connected to the meridians. It is said that there are around 2,000 acupoints and 14 meridians in the human body. Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of diseases. It is said that this mode of treatment gives relief to persons suffering from headaches, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, lower back pain, etc.
Ayurveda:
Ayurveda is more of a lifestyle than a treatment. This system emphasizes on prevention of diseases. Ayurveda, with its roots in India, consists of various modes of treatment, like yoga, diet, massage, herbal medicine, internal cleansing etc. It is based on the theory that the human body is made up of three
elements or doshas called vata, pitta and kapha. According to ayurveda, these doshas are responsible for the basic characteristics of a person. The proportion of these elements varies in different individuals. Any imbalance in the proportion results in illness. Ayurveda tries to reach the ideal state of balance for a particular individual through diet, massage, herbal medicine and various other techniques. It is believed that ayurveda can efficiently treat persons with digestion problems, stress and fatigue, joint disorders etc.
Allopathic
medicine and allopathy (from Greek ἄλλος, állos, other, different + πάϑος, páthos, suffering) are terms coined by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. It meant "other than the disease" and it was intended, among other things, to point out how traditional doctors used methods that had nothing to do with the symptoms created by the disease and which, in Hahnemann's view, meant that these methods were harmful to the patients.
Originally intended as a characterization of standard medicine in the early 19th century, these terms were rejected by mainstream physicians and quickly acquired negative overtones. During the 19th century it was used widely among irregular doctors as a pejorative term for regular doctors. In the United States the term "allopathic" has been used by persons not related to homeopathy, but it has never been accepted by the medical establishment, and is not a label that such individuals apply to themselves.
Ayurveda (Sanskrit: आयुर्वेद; Āyurveda, the "science of life") also called as ratinirveda or Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, the word ayurveda consists of the words āyus, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science".Evolving throughout its history, ayurveda remains an influential system of medicine in South Asia.The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India. TheSuśruta Saṃhitā and the Caraka Saṃhitā were influential works on traditional medicine during this era. Over the following centuries, ayurvedic practitioners have also identified a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for curing various ailments and diseases.
Naturopathy: As the name suggests, naturopathy has a natural approach to healing. Although this system is centuries old, modern naturopathy was founded and named by German physician Benedict Lust in the 20th century. Naturopathy focuses on two domains - body's healing power and lifestyle changes for better health. It includes hydrotherapy or water therapy and nature cure i.e. using natural elements like air, water, light, food and herbs to treat diseases. Sometimes, the treatment may be combined with homeopathy, acupuncture or exercises.
Homeopathy: Homeopathy relies on body's healing power. It is based on the principle of 'like cures like'. As a treatment, it uses minute doses of a substance to produce the symptoms of a disease similar to the one experienced by the patient, thus invoking the self-healing power of the body. While administering treatment, the physical and mental conditions of the patient are also taken into consideration. Homeopathy has its origin in Germany and Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, is considered to be the founder of this system.
Homeopathy
(also spelled homoeopathy or homœopathy) is a form of alternative medicine, first proposed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations. Based on an ipse dixitaxiom formulated by Hahnemann which he called the law of similars, preparations which cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals are given as the treatment for patients exhibiting similar symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking, which homeopaths term succussion, after each dilution under the assumption that this increases the effect of the treatment. Homeopaths call this process potentization. Dilution often continues until none of the original substance remains.
Apart from the symptoms of the disease, homeopaths use aspects of the patient's physical and psychological state in recommending remedies. Homeopathic reference books known as repertories are then consulted, and a remedy is selected based on the totality of symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are, with rare exceptions, considered safe though homeopathy has been criticized for putting patients at risk due to advice against conventional such as vaccinations, anti-malarial drugs, and antibiotics.
Homeopathy's efficacy beyond the placebo effect is unsupported by the collective weight of scientific and clinical evidence. While some individual studies have positive results, systematic reviews of published trials fail to demonstrate efficacy conclusively. Furthermore, higher quality trials tend to report less positive results, and most positive studies have not been replicated or show methodological problems that prevent them from being considered unambiguous evidence of homeopathy's efficacy. A 2010 inquiry into the evidence base for homeopathy conducted by the United Kingdom'sHouse of Commons Science and Technology Committee concluded that homeopathy is no more effective than placebo.
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