Would integrating holistic medicine into the use of traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals for beneficial to women's health in America?
Cultural Background Connections
Real World Application
Issues in Women's Health
Holistic Approach Defined
The holistic approach aims for actually improving women's health, regardless of the problem + ensures long treatment. Definition of holistic health = uses contributions of persons physical, mental and emotional factors when treating (Cole).
The goal is to cure health problems developed from symptoms, rather than automatic urge to rush to surgery or medication. Benefits= safe, preventative, patient-centered, integrative. (Cole)
Holistic menopause care adopts a patient-centered approach, utilizing healthcare resources to address medical, surgical, and psychological needs. It employs diverse therapies and involves patient's overall environment. This framework can guide practitioners in menopause medicine and other healthcare professionals dealing with chronic diseases.. (Kalra 69)
Holistic medicine focuses on physical, mental, and sexual health, induces remarkable positive changes in patients, promoting a three-phase healing process and resulting in improved well-being and happiness. Patients experience physical treatment, mental clarity, and enhanced social and loving qualities, leading to a shift towards a spiritual philosophy of life. In contrast, chemical medicine's premise of correcting biochemical errors tends to keep patients passive and reliant on drugs, lacking the transformative impact and conscious awakening seen with holistic medicine. (Ventegodt 73)
In conclusion, the intensive course on sex and gender bias increased awareness and knowledge among senior medical students, helping reduce gender biases and promoting a diverse understanding of women's health. The study acknowledges limitations and plans to explore the impact on learner behavior in simulated environments. The course materials aim to be shared widely for potential integration into other medical institutions' curricula. (Acosta 7)
The founders of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s Women’s Health Group highlight the need to address women's health issues beyond reproductive concerns. They stress the importance of including more women in clinical research to improve outcomes, advocating for research, education, and lifestyle medicine. (Geyer 1)
Millennials see the healthcare system as hard to access and outdated. They want holistic care. Research shows women's health concerns, like feminine health and prevention, are often overlooked. Navigating issues related to nutrition, digestion, mental health, intimacy, postpartum recovery, or fertility is challenging due to fragmented women's health care. (Jaramillo 1). information suggests that many women prefer personalized and holistic healthcare, indicating it could address various health concerns more than pharmaceutical medicine.
The study explored how menopausal symptoms are managed among different ethnic groups in the U.S. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: seeking advice, medication choices, symptom focus, and dietary preferences. The findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to consider ethnic differences when developing menopausal symptom management programs.(Im 575)
Ethnic variations were observed, such as White women being more likely to use HRT compared to African American, Hispanic, and Asian women, while Asians showed a tendency to use high dietary soy products and acupuncture. (576)
The review discusses the significance of holistic health therapies for African American (AA) women with chronic conditions, emphasizing the disparities in health outcomes for AA women. The study suggests that understanding the cultural and spiritual perspectives of AA women, providing culturally relevant information, and addressing issues such as medication compliance challenges are crucial for improving healthcare outcomes in this population. (Moore 59)
research on holistic therapy for African American women post chronic disease diagnosis is just beginning. Addressing healthcare disparities requires comprehensive care plans considering their spiritual and religious nature. Further research is needed to understand their perspectives and design effective studies to improve health outcomes.
Methods: The study, using data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, looked at CAM use among 17,295 U.S. women.
Results: About 40% of women used CAM, with biologically based therapies (23.8%) and mind-body therapies (20.9%) being popular. Users had similar traits, and many used CAM alongside regular medicine for chronic pain.
Conclusions: The research gives insights into CAM use among American women, suggesting a widespread trend in seeking healthcare that could impact public health strategies. (Upchurch)
The study explores the impact of a nutritional education and intervention program on postmenopausal women's health. The program aims to improve diet quality, body composition, and lifestyle habits, addressing the specific needs of this population to prevent chronic diseases associated with menopause. (Morales)
Cultural Background and holistic approach is connected because holistic approach in medicine means considering a person's cultural background as important for their health. It involves understanding how their culture affects their health beliefs and practices, so healthcare can be tailored to meet their specific needs and values.
In women's health, a holistic approach recognizes that factors beyond just physical symptoms impact well-being. It considers women's social, emotional, and cultural contexts, as well as their physical health. This means addressing not only medical issues but also factors like social support, stress, lifestyle, and cultural beliefs. By taking a holistic approach, healthcare providers can better understand and address the complex interplay of factors affecting women's health, leading to more comprehensive and effective care.