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CH 4
CH 4
Globally, the health care industry serves patients through various systems of
treatments. The choice of system depends upon a host of factors ranging from
literacy to availability to purchasing power. Now most developed countries
have opted for allopathic treatments for diseases such as cardiovascular,
neurological, oncology and ophthalmology while partially relying on alternative
systems for select problems. Most developing countries, meanwhile, have a
health care system that relies equally on allopathy and alternative systems of
medicine. In India, for instance, rural population relies on the Indian systems of
medicine due to non-availability of allopathic treatment and lack of purchasing
power. In China too, traditional systems are popular. The alternative healing
systems are taking off in developed countries too because of negligible side
affects
Allopathic treatment
Allopathy, based on science, is widely-practiced medical system throughout
the globe. It is a systematic scientific approach consisting mainly of therapies
and surgeries. It is also known as the Modern System of Medicine, whose
development has been largely driven by the Western hemisphere. In allopathy,
treatment is based on drugs having opposite effects to existing symptoms.
Each drug in allopathy is a result of extensive research. Allopathy has been
responsible for increasing life expectancy worldwide.
Treatment
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In allopathy, diseases are addressed through medicines, surgeries and other
techniques like laser treatment. Most public and corporate hospitals follow
this system of treatment. In this system, treatment is based on the disease,
sex, age and physical attributes such as weight. The maternity hospitals, for
example, specialise in delivery cases while paediatric hospitals focus on
children. Similarly, eye hospitals focus on eye diseases while cancer hospitals
specialise in treatment of cancer.
1) Ayurvedic treatment: The plants, animals and minerals are the sources of
raw material for these medicines. About 600 medicinal plant products, 52
minerals and 50 animal products are commonly-used in preparing
ayurvedic medicines.
3) Unani treatment: Drugs of herbal, mineral and animal origin are used to
treat patients. Drugs are used in crude form as single drugs and
compound form.
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4) Yoga treatment: Physical exercises and postures for keeping the body
healthy and assisting in curing of diseases. Various forms of yoga are
available to patients.
5) Siddha treatment: The system has developed a rich and unique treasure of
drug knowledge in which use of metals and minerals is advocated.
Global acceptance
India is trying to popularise Ayurveda in other countries through awareness
campaigns and linkages with tourism. Kerala, an Indian state, is positioning
itself as a destination for Ayurvedic treatments. Many foreign countries have
already shown interest in Ayurveda. Indian missions in USA., UK, Russia,
Germany, Hungary and South Africa are catalysing interest in Ayurveda
through awareness campaigns.
Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy is also one of the oldest systems of treatments in India. The
word ‘Homoeopathy’ is derived from two Greek words, ‘Homois’ meaning
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similar and ‘pathos’ meaning suffering. Homoeopathy involves treating
diseases with remedies, prescribed in minute doses, which are capable of
producing symptoms similar to the disease when taken by healthy people.
Today, Homoeopathy is a rapidly-growing system, known all over the world. In
India, Homoeopathy is popular due its safety and lack of side effects. A study
indicates that about 10% of the Indian population depends solely on
Homoeopathy for health problems. The system is older than a century and a
half, well integrated into the roots of the country. Small wonder, it has been
recognised as one of the National Systems of Medicine. Homoeopathy plays an
important role in providing health care to a large number of people. Its
strength lies in its holistic approach towards sick individual. Homoeopathy
promotes inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels.
Drug Optimisation: Drugs are prepared in such a way that they retain
maximum medicinal powers without producing any toxicity in the body. When
diluted drugs are powerfully succussed, they develop lasting medicinal powers.
Different Methods
• Water Therapy
• Air Therapy
• Fire Therapy
• Space Therapy
• Mud Therapy
Naturopathy
Naturopathy is a system of healing science, stimulating the body’s inherent
power to regain health with the help of five elements of nature: earth, water,
air, fire and ether (box). Naturopathy is a call to return to a simple way of living
in harmony with the self, society and environment. Although basic nature cure
deals with Pancha Mahabhootas only, the recent developments advocate the
practice of drugless therapies such as massage and electrotherapy (see box).
Treatment
Treatment focuses on body. The physician helps in nature’s effort to overcome
disease by applying correct natural modalities and controlling the natural
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forces to work within safe limits. This system involves many treatment
methods. The method of treatment and the duration of treatment will depend
upon the disease. The treatment of skin-related diseases, for instance, involves
chemo, magnetic and mud therapies.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Hindu system of philosophy and spiritual practice. It aims at
deliverance from disease and pain through meditation to affect a reunion with
the universal spirit. It includes the practice of various postures static and
moving, breathing exercises, disciplined diet and meditation—which tone up
the body, mind, and spirit.
Meditation lessens mental stress and strain. Diseases such as central nervous
system disorders, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, hypersensitivity and allergy
can be addressed through yoga. Usually, continued mental and physical stress
result in the breakdown of an organ or a specific system. The diseases in which
yoga has shown good results include high blood pressure, duodenal ulcers,
bronchial asthma, diabetes and obesity.
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