Disadvantages of modern medicine

Answer 1

One disadvantage to taking herbal medicine is the fact that it takes so long to see any changes in your health. With traditional medicine, you can see changes in a few weeks, but herbs can take months.

Answer 2

Followings are disadvantages of herbal medicine # Identification procedures for pure and genuine herbs are not available, so sub-standard and spurious herbs are there in the market. # Exact mechanism and pharmacology of all herbal medicine is not available # Adulteration ratio is very high # Clinical and toxicological datas are not available for all herbs # There are no safety datas # All herbal medicine are not tested with important parameteres like microbial content, heavy metals content, pyrogens etc.. In short it is not advisable to use herbal medicine if it is not tested and standardized. Raju Dangar

Answer 3

A very well question asked indeed. There are many relevant responses to this question. However, my fair idea is the fact that traditional medicine was created along the generations as we humans descended upon each other and discovered the planet earth. Traditional medicine was (assuming) created from the most basic of tools and resources and they have less proficiency compared to the medicines of today.

There have been numerous medicinal advances up till now and curing an illness in most cases, has been easier than ever before. The disadvantage of traditional medicine is that it lacks the proficiency and efficiency in curing compared to the treatments available today.

Nevertheless, this not always the case. If it wasn't for the creation of traditional medicines, we would not have discovered the technology available to us today.

Answer 4

The disadvantages of traditional Chinese medicine is that it is said to treat all diseases. This means that it is not for any specific purpose and it could end up being taken for the wrong reason. There is also no clear dosage information.

Answer 5

526 S MEDIE E TVD KRIF 17 September 1977=Review Al'licle==Blood Viscosity in Modern Medicine==c. W. VAN DER ELST, A. F. MALAN, H. DE V. HEESE==Date re eived: 27 April 1977.==S. Air. med. J.• 52, 526 (1977).==SUMMARY==NEWTONIAN OR SIMPLE FLUIDS==BLOOD==that the fluid elements are homogenous and smalL They==exert uniform frictional forces between laminae, pro·==vided that there is no turbulent flow, and thus behave in==a linear wa..' Rheologically, such simple fluids are called==Tewtonian fluids.==Blood behaves differently from and does not conform to==the laws of simple fluids. There is no proportional relation·==ship between shear stress and shear rate, and the flow==pressure plot is exponential in nature. This is thought to==be due to the heterogeneous nature of the particles in==the fluid suspension. The presence of red and white cells,==plasma proteins, chylomicrons, electrolytes and water==change the internal frictional forces of blood and so==affect the viscosity. Blood viscosity actually increases with==decreasing shear rate and vessel size.==Blood viscosity (SI units: centipoise) is determined by==the ratio of shear stress to shear rate. Shear stress is==the force per unit area applied in the direction of flow==and is measured in dynes/cm'. Tt is the force required to==make one plane of fluid slide over another. Shear rate==is the difference in velocities of two fluid planes divided==by the distance between them and is expressed as s".==H refers to the speed gradient of one fluid plane to==another.3==The viscosity of blood varies according to the shear==rate appropriate for the vessel through which it is flow·==ing. If V is the velocity of the blood in cmIsand r the==radius of the vessel in centimetres, then by the expression:==4V==shear rate = -, the aorta would have a shear rate==r==of between 100·300 s" while a value between 11·25==s., would be the shear rate for arterioles (Fig. 1).3.5 With==modern viscometers blood can be analysed at these==shear rates.==As blood viscosity increases, so 'sludging'" will tend==to occur and this effect is more pronounced in small==vessels where shear rate is low. At haematocrits above==70ob, the correspondingly high viscosity decreases maximal==circulating blood flow and also decreases the reserve==capacity of muscle flow.' Fortunately blood viscosity==actually decreases when it flows through vessels with an==internal diameter of 0,3 mm or less. Here viscosity de·==pends more and more on the viscosity of the plasma.==This effect was demonstrated by Fahraeus and LindqvistS==and is thought to be due to axial streaming of red blood==cells with plasma margination at the vessel periphery.==The decrease in viscosity is not entirely due to axial==flow: other factors, as yet undefined, may have an effect."==81Q==viscosity coefficient==pressure gradient==radius of tube==length of tube==flow (ml/s).==where "1J==P - p'==r==I==Q==In 1843 Poiseuille' first studied fluid flow and viscosity==with distilled water and capillary tubes. He proposed the==following relationship:==(p - p) r'==An adequate flow of blood through the cardiovascular==system is all-important in the maintenance of life and the==normal function of the different organs of the body. This==flow is dependent on the viscosity of the blood as well==as its pressure and vvlume. Modern sophisticated medicine==demands an understanding of viscosity and its deter·==mination. This article briefly reviews the physical basis==of viscosity, the factors inv0lv~d in the viscosity of==blood and its importance in various clinical situations.==The understanding and measurement of blood viscosity==play an important part in modern medicine. The basic==principles and relevances of fluid viscosity are discussed.==Factors which alter viscosity include shear rate, haematocrit,==erythrocyte deformability, internal fluidity, pH,==plasma proteins, temperature, osmolality, lipids and leucocytes.==In vivo changes in vascular architecture are thought==to influence blood viscosity. Some of the clinical conditions==in which viscosity is important are described.==Hyperviscosity should be treated before complications==arise.==It was found that water and other simple fluids be·==haved in a linear manner so that the ratio of shear stress==to shear rate is constant. From the formula it can be==seen that flow and viscosity are proportional to the==pressure gradient. This finding is ascribed to the fact==Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Universit)· of==Cape Town==C. W. VAN DER ELST, l\1.B. CH.B., F.C.P. (PAED.) ( .A.), D.C.H.==A. F. MALAN. M.MED. (PAED.). 2\1.0.. DIP. 2\1ID. C.O.G. (S.A.)==H. DE V. HEE E. B.SC.. 2\1.0 .. F.R.C.P.. O.C.H.==17 September 1977 S MEDICAL JOUR 'AL 527==20==FACTORS AFFECTING VISCOSITY==The measurement of blood viscosity is finding a place in==many branches of medicine today. eonatal polycythaemia==is becoming an increasingly recognized problem and is==responsible for a wide range of pathology in the newborn.==The findings of cyanosis, convulsions, jitteriness,==hypoglycaemia, apnoea, vomiting and cardiac decompensation==are well recognized:'''''' Decreased renal perfusion'"==and, recently, necrotizing enterocolitis'" have been==found to be associated with hypervisco ity. Susceptible==neonates are among those subjected to intra-uterine hypoxia.==The response is due to excessive erythropoietin==production and the same mechanism may be responsible==for polycythaemia seen in infants of diabetic mothers.==Delayed clamping of the umbilical cord with placental==transfusion. twin-to-twin and maternal-fetal transfusion 13==are also responsible for neonatal polycythaemia. These==factors, coupled with decreased deformability of the neonatal==red blood cell, acido is and hypothermia greatly increase==the incidence of symptoms in the infant at risk.==Realizing the part played by visco ity in the pathogenesis==of coronary heart di ease, thrombo i and arteriosclerosis,==Dintenfas '"' proposed the high blood viscosity==syndrome. The same idea ha also been put forward by==Kontras'" for children. Hypelviscosity ha also been recorded==in patients with multiple myeloma," tumours,==leukaemia, Diabetes. trauma' and sickle cell disease."==It can be seen that hyperviscosity is the final common==pathway through which some disease produce symptom.==An under tanding of the rheological a pect involved and==their con equence are mandatory in the management==CLINlCAL IMWORTANCE==27°C, but a marked increa e in visco it below 27"C.==Till was confirmed in another tudy" where profound==hypothermia, particularly ~ ith high haematocrit level,==re ulted in marked changes in visco ity. Becau e the red==cell acts as a fluid drop and the cell membrane actually==flows around the content of the cell, normal viscosity==is maintained to a large degree. Blood continues to flow==at haematocrits of 95% and 100%, whereas if it were==not for the deformability of the erythrocyte , blood would==be a solid at any haematocrit above 65°{,." lnternal cell==fluidity becomes more and more important a the haematocrit==increa es. Condition where cell wall deformability==and internal fluidit are altered, uch as ickle cell==disease and pherocytosis, manifest higher viscosities than==would be expected from the haematocrit count. Cell==containing reduced haemoglobin are significantly more==viscous than those containing fully oxygenated haemoglobin.==The effect of pH is not as great as the other factors==discussed. The increase in viscosity between pH 7,4 and 7==is small, but becomes rapidly greater a pH decreases==below 7. The effect is due to an increased internal viscosity==and a tendency for cells to form aggregates.'"' In==the same way changes in osmolality alter the intracellular==milieu and directly affect viscosity.'" In the microcirculation,==where viscosity depend more on pIa ma proteins, the==presence of abnormal proteins lead to an increa e in==the viscous forces.==70 80==haematocrit==~ 10==>~==i7.i 8 o==U==VI '> 6==o 10 20 30 40 50 60==HAEMATOCRIT==Fig. 2. Whole blood viscosity with var}'ing==at shear rate 46 s".==1~==12==10==a. v==>- 8==~==<ii==~==:>==~==2==5·75 115 23 .46 115 230==SHEAR RATE SEC-1==Fig. 1. Whole blood viscosity with varying sbear rates.==18==14==12==16==Shear rate, haematocrit and red cell deformability are==probably the three major factors which influence viscosity.==Other factors such as pH, plasma proteins, osmolality.==lipids and a leucocytosis are of lesser importance in most==cases. In vivo changes in vascular tone. vessel wall irregularities,==and change in the direction of flow, due to==branching of vessels, are additionally important.==Several studies'·'" have shown the relationship between==haematocrit and viscosity (Fig. 2). As the haematocrit==exceeds 50o~ there is a rapid increase of viscosity," such==that it is doubled between 50% and 70% and is trebled==between 50o~ and 80%.14 Rand et al." noted a linear==relationship between viscosity and temperatures of 37°-==528 SA MEDIESE TVDSKRIF 17 September 1977==of these patients. Hyperviscosity not only enhances the==risk of clot formation but also decreases the rate of blood==flow and hence of cell perfusion. Hypoxia and acidosis==result, and they in themselves may further perpetuate==the problem. Thick blood is more difficult to pump and==puts an added strain on the heart.==CONCLUSION==An understanding of blood viscosity and recognItIOn of==the major factors involved should lead to a more rational==basis for clinical care. The real dangers of hyperviscosity==should be anticipated and actively prevented. The determination==of blood viscosity is not complicated and can==be done in approximately 15 minutes. A subsequent==article will deal with the method and some normal values.==This study was supported by the South African Medical==Research Council.==REFERENCES==I. Poiseuille. J. L. M. (I 43): Ann. Chim. Phys.. 16. 60.==2. Gelin. L. E. (1961): Acta chir. scand.. 122, 2 7.==3. Wells. R. E. and 1eirrill, E. W. (1961): Amer. J. Med., 31, 505.==4. Gross. G. P.. Hathaway, W. E. and McGaughey, M. R. (1973):==J. Pediat., 82, 1004.==5. Kontras, S. B.. Bodenbender, J. G., Jo Creanen. M. T. et al. (1970):==lbid.. 76. 214.==6. Barras. J. P. (1969): Bib!. haemat. (Basel), 33, 277.==7. Bergqvi t, G. (1974): Acta paediat. scand., 63, 85 .==Fahraeu. R. and lindqvist, T. (1931): Amer. J. Physio!.. 96, 562.==9. Bayliss. L. E. (1959): J. Physio!.. 149, 593.==10. Giombi, A. and Burnard, E. D. (1970): Biorheology, 6, 315.==11. Bergqvist, G. (1973): Bib!. anat. (Basel), 12, 51.==12. Wells. R. (1970): New Eng!. J. Med.. 283, I 3.==13. Rand, P. W.. Lacombe. E.. Hunt. H. E. et al. (1964): J. app!.==Physio!., 19, 117.==14. B.um, R. S. (1966): J. Pediat.. 69, 975.==15. ReemTsma, K. and Creech. O. (1962): J. thorae. cardiovasc. Surg..==44, 674.==16. Gross, G. P. and H"haway. W. E. (1972): Pediat. Res.. 6. 593.==17. Dintenfass, L. (968): Med. J. AlIst.. I, 68 .==18. Rand, P. W., Austin, W. H., Lacombe, E. er al. (1968): J. app!.==Physiol., 25, 550.==19. B,"m. R. S. (1967): Pedial. Res.. I, 2 8.==20. Mackintosh, T. F. and Walker, C. H. M. (1973): Arch. Dis. Childh..==48. 547.==21. Aperia, A., Bergqvist, G., Broberger, O. er aJ. (1974): Acta paedial.==scand., 63, 78.==22. Hakanson. D. 0 .. CoweTl. R. M. and Oh, w. (1976): [",el/sive==Care in the Newborn, p. 99. New York: Masson Publishing.==23. Michae!. A. F. and Mauer. A. M. (1961): Pediatrics, 28, 45 .==H. Dintenfass. L. (1966): Arch. irllern. Med.. liS, 427.==25. Kontr's. S. B. (1972): Pediat. Clin. N. Amer., 19. 919.==26. Lindsley, H .. Teller. D.. oonan. B. er al. (1973): Amer. J. Med..==54. 682.==27. Dintenfass. L. (1965): Circulat. Res.. 14, I.==Pyriform Fossa· Carcinoma .==In South African Negro Patients==C. M. C. FERNANDES, A. SOLOMON==SUMMARY==Seven patients with pyriform fossa car noma who==presented at Baragwanath Hospital during the period==1973 - 1976 are discussed. The value of posi ive contrast==studies with special reference to laryngography is==emphasized and the results are reviewed.==5. Afr. med. J., 52, 528 (1977).==Pyriform fossa carcinoma is relatively uncommon in==South African egroes. However, over a period of 3==years (July 1973 - June 1976) 10% of the 70 Black patients==with carcinoma of the larynx and laryngopharynx referred==Departments of Otorhinolaryngology and Radiology, Baragwanath==Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand,==Johannesburg==C. M. C. FERNANDES, ~1.B. B.CH., F.C.S. (s ..~.)==A. SO-LO iON. ~I.B. B.CH.. DIP. ~IED.. D.M.R. (D.). ~D1ED.==HAD. (D.)==Date received: 24 February 1977.==to our unit at Baragwanath Hospital had pyriform fossa==neoplasms. These 7 patients are reviewed.==METHODS AND RESULTS==Comprehensive clinical assessment included laryngoscopy==and the assessment of lymph node involvement. The==patients were also subjected=

Answer 6

Holistic health