Alternative Medicine Alert articles from January 2004

Alternative Medicine Alert archives from January 2004

Tai chi and fall prevention in the elderly.
January 1, 2004... TAI CHI (SUPREME ULTIMATE FIST OR BOXING) IS A MARTIAL ARTS form that developed in the context of Chinese Taoism during the 17th century (1) and has been influenced by Buddhism. As such, in addition to its use in self-defense, its traditional...

Vitex agnus castus and premenstrual syndrome.
January 1, 2004... PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) IS A COMPLEX DISORder, affecting women in a regular pattern associated with their menstrual cycles. Contrary to popular belief, PMS has been a recognized malady for thousands of years. Hippocrates described a...

Journaling: the effects of disclosure on health.
January 1, 2004... The sorrow that hath no vent in tears may make other organs weep. --William Boyd, MD WE ALL HAVE STORIES INSIDE US ABOUT TIMES IN OUR lives that were fun, sad, and even scary. These stories are associated with emotions that can...

Echinacea for kids with colds.(Clinical Briefs)
January 1, 2004... Source: Taylor JA, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children. JAMA 2003; 290:2824-2830. Goal: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a preparation of Echinacea purpurea in...

CME questions.
January 1, 2004... 1. Before referring a patient to tai chi, which of the following conditions should be ruled out? a. Severe osteoporosis b. Acute back pain c. Knee problems d. Sprains and fractures e. All of the above 2. Within the...

Reducing the risk of falls and the fear of falling.
January 1, 2004... FALLS IN THE ELDERLY ARE A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE. THEY ARE THE LEADING CAUSE of injury death in persons 65 years or older and one-third of older adults fall every year. More than 350,000 seniors were hospitalized in 2000 for injuries...