As interest in alternative medicine grows, patients with psoriasis weigh benefits, risks

March 12, 2023 Dania

February 07, 2023

3 min read

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Disclosures:
Gelfand reports having financial relationships with AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Lilly (DMC), Janssen Biologics, Novartis, NeuroDerm (DMC), Pfizer and UCB (DMC); being co-patent holder of resiquimod for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; and serving as the deputy editor of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and board member for the International Psoriasis Council.

In this issue of Healio Psoriatic Disease we focus on complementary and alternative medicine for psoriasis.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), or “complementary health approaches,” is a group of diverse medical and health care practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. There are two broad subgroups: 1) natural products, including herbs, vitamins, minerals and probiotics, the latter often sold as dietary supplements; and 2) mind and body practices, including a large and diverse group of procedures or techniques administered or taught by a trained practitioner such as yoga and meditation.

There is broad interest in CAM in the United States, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the NIH funds research studies to further understand the risks and benefits of CAM approaches.

As a common, chronic, incurable and stigmatizing disease, there is intense interest in CAM by patients with psoriasis. Complicating matters is that these patients can have prolonged spontaneous remissions and respond to placebo (PASI 75 is about 5% in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis receiving placebo) and therefore anecdotes abound about various CAM treatments improving psoriasis. A 2018 survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation found that 41% of people with psoriasis reported using alternative therapies, with patients who had more severe disease being more likely to seek them out.

While interest in CAM therapy is high, it appears the interest in well conducted, rigorous trials to prove its safety and efficacy is low, as there is a dearth of data to support its use in psoriasis. So, what do patients, and their providers who recommend CAM, have to lose? A lot! First, at best, an unproven therapy may be a waste of precious time and money and may prevent patients from receiving therapies actually proven to work. At worst, patients may experience life threatening harm. Tryptophan is a CAM therapy used for disorders such as insomnia and mood disorders. Dermatologists of a certain generation will recall its association with a scleroderma-like condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Herbs and dietary supplements promoted for their supposed weight loss or joint pain benefits, including green tea extract, may cause severe acute liver injury. Specifically turning to psoriasis,

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Episode 2: Alternative Therapies in UC: An Expert Perspective

February 27, 2023 Dania

This transcript has been edited for clarity. For more episodes, download the Medscape app or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider.

Sunanda Kane, MD, MSPH: Hello. I’m Dr Sunanda Kane. Welcome to Medscape’s InDiscussion series on ulcerative colitis (UC). Today we’ll be discussing alternative therapies in UC with our guest, Dr David Hass. Dr Hass is the medical director for the PACT Gastroenterology Center and Director of Endoscopy at the Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Raphael Campus. Welcome to InDiscussion. David, thanks for joining me this afternoon. My question is, first, how did you get interested in this topic in the first place?

David J. Hass, MD: Thanks so much for having me. It is always a privilege to see you. Thanks for inviting me. I would say my interest in this topic about 18 years ago, when I was at the University of Pennsylvania. When I was there, I saw many veterans in my clinic who used all kinds of supplements, and I could not in any way, shape, or form counsel them on the safety of those supplements. A gentleman who was there and is still there, James Lewis, who you might know, and I started working on a project. Through the institutional review board (IRB), we wrote to every supplement company that promoted digestive health and asked for literature supporting efficacy and supporting the data for the health claim that they made. We asked them to provide safety data and we asked them to provide us medication interaction data. We learned over the course of that year that there really isn’t a whole lot of data. That spawned my interest in supplement therapy and regulation. Fast-forward a few years later, I was now practicing in Connecticut and had a very, very interesting population of young college students and graduate students, many of whom had been treated for a variety of different conditions and had been to several gastroenterologists. These students had had every scope, scan, and medication trial and were coming to me for functional abdominal pain or something of that nature. I started looking into and reading to find out what was evidence-based from a complementary and alternative perspective so that I could be helpful. I was lucky enough to find someone locally who was a certified hypnotherapist. At that time, hypnotherapy wasn’t really so mainstream; we’re talking about maybe almost 15 years ago. I did the coursework, which was over 100 hours of coursework, to become a certified hypnotherapist so that I could implement that in my arsenal of treating functional bowel patients. From that, I was afforded wonderful opportunities to learn more and self-educate about a variety of different technologies and strategies for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The most important thing I learned through this journey was that it enabled me to form the best relationships with patients. Historically, we as physicians don’t know a lot about CAM, so we tend to dismiss it, which

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Global Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Demand, Size & Share to Surpass USD 265.0 Billion by 2028, Exhibit a CAGR of 21.3%

January 24, 2023 Dania

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As per Facts and Factors study, The global complementary and alternative medicine market size was worth USD 83.2 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to USD 265.0 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 21.3% over the forecast period.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market: Overview

Complementary and alternative medicine is utilized for a person’s medical care without a prescription from a doctor. It is not a component of routine care. Additionally, traditional drugs and treatments are employed in conjunction with alternative therapies. In contrast, traditional medications and treatments are substituted by alternative remedies. Although certain complementary and alternative medicinal therapies still lack scientific or medical support. Growing public knowledge of the advantages of natural complementary and alternative medicine propels the sector worldwide. However, most complementary and alternative medicine practices are less efficient and lack regulatory licensing, which is anticipated to impede the expansion of the industry.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.fnfresearch.com/sample/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-market

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As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global complementary and alternative medicine market value is to grow at a CAGR of 21.3 % over the forecast period.
In terms of revenue, the global complementary and alternative medicine market size was valued at around USD 83.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 265.0 billion by 2028.
The prevalence of long-term conditions that require specialized treatment, such as cancer and neurological problems, and increased awareness of physical well-being is driving the complementary and alternative medicine market.
By intervention, the traditional alternative medicine/botanicals category dominated the market in 2021.
By distribution method, the direct sales category dominated the market in 2021.
Europe dominated the global complementary and alternative medicine market in 2021.

Facts and Factors published the latest report titled “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report By Intervention (Traditional Alternative Medicine/Botanicals, Mind Healing, Body Healing, External Energy, Sensory Healing), By Distribution Method (Direct Sales, E-sales, Distance Correspondence), and By Region – Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2022 – 2028” into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market: Growth Drivers

Herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, massage treatment, acupuncture, and chiropractic care are all examples of complementary and alternative medicine. Numerous illnesses, including pain, exhaustion, cancer, and nausea, are greatly treated by complementary and alternative medicine. The global complementary and alternative medicine market is expanding due to consumers’ increasing knowledge of natural remedies. The comfort and reduced stress linked to complementary and alternative medicine are anticipated to increase the demand for CAM globally. The use of CAM in the diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions is growing.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market: Restraints

The high cost of the drug will restrain the market’s expansion rate. The global complementary and alternative medicine market

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Amid Drug Shortages, Alternative Treatments for Fever and Cough

January 6, 2023 Dania

With the present shortages of over-the-counter medicines for coughs, colds, and flu, this seems like the perfect time to talk about natural remedies. These can be helpful when we either don’t have medications on hand, or simply want a more natural approach to dealing with common illnesses. Natural medicines are beneficial as they are non-toxic and support our body’s own healing process. If used at the first sign of illness, many can shorten its severity and duration. Here are some natural approaches—many used by cultures worldwide for centuries—to help get you back into tip-top shape.

Treatments for Fever

Fevers are our bodies’ natural reaction to infection. A fever is part of a healthy immune response and communicates that we are mounting an appropriate defense against an unwanted invader. As parents, it is always difficult seeing our children sick, and it is our instinct to do whatever we can to make them feel better.

In the case of fevers, unless they are very high, it can be beneficial to let the fever do the work of fighting the infection. Fevers slow down pathogens and their replication; therefore, a fever slows down the spread and severity of an illness.

If a fever gets too high (104+), it’s a good idea to get it down. This is the work of many drugs, but this can also usually be achieved with a lukewarm or cool bath. Eating will also usually bring a fever down slightly if you or your little one feel up to it. Very high fevers burn fluids and increase the risk of dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of clear liquids, and children can have water or diluted fruit juice for hydration and to keep blood sugar within normal range. Fevers also deplete vitamin A, so be sure to supplement with vitamin A-rich foods (like fish oils, kale, spinach, broccoli, milk, and eggs) after a bout with a fever.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow Tea (Madeleine Steinbach/Shutterstock)

Yarrow is a common herb and is well known for its ability to bring down a fever. It is considered a diaphoretic herb, meaning it makes you sweat, helping the body eliminate toxins through the skin and urine. Yarrow also purifies and moves the blood, treats urinary infections, and heals wounds.

In a comparative study in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Studies, yarrow demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce fevers in animal models.

A research review published in Current Pharmaceutical Design in 2008 discussed the traditional use of yarrow for this purpose. “The genus Achillea consists of about 140 perennial herbs native to the Northern hemisphere. Traditional indications of their use include digestive problems, liver and gall-bladder conditions, menstrual irregularities, cramps, fever, wound healing,” it noted.

A review on the biological activities of yarrow published in the Journal Current Pharmaceutical Design, mentions yarrow’s analgesic, anti-ulcer, choleretic (which stimulate the production of bile by the liver), liver protecting and wound healing abilities and that data has accumulated demonstrating its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Yarrow regulates

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Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the General Public of Western Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

December 30, 2022 Dania

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been continuously used worldwide. Various cultures have used this path of healing, and to our date, people are still using it and some even prefer it to modern medicine. Thus, this study aims to analyze awareness, self-use, perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward CAM in the general public of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the public places of Jeddah. Data were collected from 784 participants using a self-administered paper-based questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: The majority of the population was aware of massage (91.8%), herbs (90.7%), nutritional supplements (89.8%), and prayers (88.1%). With regards to usage and effectiveness, prayers and spirituality is used by 75.5% of the population and considered to be the most effective by 76.0%. Respondents obtained information about CAM mostly from friends and relatives (76.6%), followed by media (67.2%), while lack of knowledge about CAM and lack of trained professionals are the most perceived barriers to CAM implementation. Data showed a significant association (p < 0.05) between gender, awareness, and self-use of CAM modalities. Yoga (44.2%) and herbs (72.6%) were mostly used by females, whereas males were mostly aware of cupping (90.4%) and cauterization (76.2%). Another significant association was found between the level of education, awareness, and self-use of CAM modalities indicating that those who were not educated were aware of and used cauterization the most, while those who went to college were more aware of yoga (75.4%). Lastly, having a relative in the healthcare field showed a significant association with awareness of yoga, prayers, and spirituality compared to other CAM modalities.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study revealed that the majority of the Western Saudi Arabian population was aware of several CAM modalities and practiced some form of CAM. However, awareness of specific types of CAM may relate to gender, educational level, and relationship to the medical field.

Introduction

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the use of traditional or non-conventional medicine to treat certain diseases, especially chronic diseases. CAM includes practices that go along with standard medical care or substitute it completely. “Complementary” medicine can include combining a form of traditional medicine with a conventional one, for example, the use of acupuncture to help lessen some side effects of conventional medical treatment. Alternative medicine entails replacing standard medical care completely with a technique or approach not considered part of conventional medicine [1].

The use of CAM has been continuously growing worldwide among adults and children. In the United States, studies showed that the use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors had increased approximately from 22% in 2012 to 38% in 2017 among adults, and from 7% to 17% among children during that period [2,3]. One of the hallmarks of CAM is the use of herbs for the treatment and prevention of several diseases. 87% of the counted global population’s diseases are treated by drugs that are plant-based [4]. There is

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market to Experience Substantial Growth of USD 477.29 Billion by 2029, Size, Share, Growth Rate, Demand, Opportunities and Competitive Landscape

December 24, 2022 Dania

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Data Bridge Market Research has recently published a Report, titled, “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market” The report offers an extensive analysis of key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segment, Porter’s Five Forces analysis, and competitive landscape. This Complementary and Alternative Medicine report proves to be a finest and excellent market report as it is generated with the myriad of critical factors. To put marketplace clearly into the focus, most up to date market insights and analysis has been offered via this report. The market data presented in the report helps to recognize different market opportunities present internationally. Complementary and Alternative Medicine report is also useful when launching a new product or expanding the business regionally or globally. Moreover, it considers both qualitative and quantitative techniques of market analysis where focus groups or in-depth interviews and customer survey or analysis of secondary data has been carried out respectively.

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Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the complementary and alternative medicine market was valued at USD 100.04 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 477.29 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 21.57% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. The market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, patient epidemiology, pipeline analysis, pricing analysis, and regulatory framework.

Download Sample Copy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Market @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-market

Market Overview:

Medical products and practices that are not considered a part of traditional or mainstream medical therapy are referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It combines self-administered items and activities, including homoeopathic remedies, herbal medications, dietary supplements, yoga, chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Manipulative and body-based therapies, biofield therapy, and entire medical systems are all included.

In recent years, the complementary and alternative medicine market is anticipated to grow rapidly during the forecast period. Approximately two-thirds of the population in most industrialized and developing nations has reported using alternative or complementary medicine. Several countries are moving toward the legalisation of alternative medicine and therapies that are substantiated by clinical evidence. Complementary and alternative therapies are utilized to treat chronic illnesses, long-term discomfort, and supplementary vitamins and food supplementation in addition to a conventional diet.

Opportunities for Players:

Moreover, the market’s growth is fueled by an increase in the number of research and development activities. This will provide beneficial opportunities for the complementary and alternative medicine market growth. Along with this, rising drug approvals and launches will further propel the market’s growth rate.

The market has grown substantially as a result of new product introductions in response to increased demand for treatments and continual innovation. For instance, Optum had purchased DaVita Medical Group in 2019. This purchase is towards the development of Novel therapies that children may administer and that can assist physicians, health professionals, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of the population in most industrialized and developing nations reported utilizing some type of alternative or complementary treatment as

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