Terapias tradicional y natural combinadas en pacientes con alopecia areata / Combined traditional and natural therapies in patients with alopecia areata

Se realizó un estudio de intervención terapéutica en 30 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de alopecia areata en forma de placas, atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde junio del 2014 hasta igual mes del 2015, con vistas a determinar la efectividad de la terapia tradicional china y la natural combinadas (esencias florales de Bach por modelo transpersonal, acupuntura con martillo de 7 puntas y masaje local con el rizoma del jengibre), para lo cual se conformó un grupo de estudio que la recibió y otro de control que fue tratado con crema esteroidea (triamcinolona a 0,1 por ciento). Los pacientes, cuya mayoría comprendía las edades de 25 a 34 años y era del sexo masculino, fueron evaluados al inicio, y luego a la cuarta, la octava y duodécima semanas. La terapia tradicional y la natural combinadas en pacientes con alopecia areata presentó una mejor respuesta y no existieron efectos secundarios, lo que demostró su efectividad al respecto

A study of therapeutic intervention in 30 patients with diagnosis of patchy alopecia areata, assisted in the Dermatology service of Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from June, 2014 to the same month in 2015, aimed at determining the effectiveness of the combined Chinese traditional therapy and the natural one (Bach flowers remedies for transpersonal pattern, acupuncture with hammer of 7 tips and local massage with ginger rhizome), for which a study group was formed which received it and another control group which was treated with steroid cream (triamcinolone 0,1 percent). Patients from the age group 25 - 34 years and male sex, were evaluated at the beginning, and then at fourth, eighth and twelfth weeks. The combined traditional and natural therapies in patients with alopecia areata provided a better response and there were no secondary effects, what demonstrated its effectiveness on this respect

Manual para el tratamiento de la Estrategia Curricular de la Medicina Tradicional y Natural en Coloproctología / Pamphlet for the Treatment of the Curricular Strategy of Tradicional and Natural Medicine in Coloproctology

El manual para el tratamiento de la Estrategia Curricular de Medicina Tradicional y Natural en la Especialidad de Coloproctología, en el tema de las enfermedades anorrectales benignas, muestra las afecciones más comunes en la Consulta de Coloproctología que se encuentran en el programa de estudio de la asignatura de Cirugía General de cuarto año de la carrera de medicina, enfermedades que requieren de un diagnóstico precoz, oportuno y adecuado tratamiento. La medicina tradicional y natural ayuda al alivio de los síntomas de estas dolencias que aquejan a estos pacientes atendidos en la atención primaria de salud y que puedan remitirse al Servicio de Coloproctología con un mejor estado de salud. La aplicación de la fitoterapia, digitopuntura, homeopatía, terapia floral, auriculoterapia y microsistema de mano fueron aspectos tratados en este manual con el fin de lograr una formación integral del futuro médico que necesita el mundo actual(AU)

The manual for the treatment of the Tradicional and Natural Medicine Curricular Strategy in the Specialty of Coloproctology, on the subject of benign anorectal diseases, shows the most common conditions in the Coloproctology Consultation found in the course curriculum of General Surgery of the fourth year of the medical career, diseases that require an early diagnosis, timely and appropriate treatment. Tradicional and natural medicine helps to relieve the symptoms of these diseases that affect these patients treated in primary health care and who can be referred to the Coloproctology Service in a better stage of health. The application of phytotherapy, digitopuncture, homeopathy, floral therapy, auriculotherapy and microsystem of hand were aspects treated in this manual in order to achieve an integral formation of the future doctor that the world needs today(AU)

Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: A randomized, pilot, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a cream based on Bach flower remedies (BFR) on symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Forty-three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome during their "waiting" time for surgical option were randomized into 3 parallel groups: Placebo (n = 14), blinded BFR (n = 16), and nonblinded BFR (n = 13). These groups were treated during 21 days with topical placebo or a cream based on BFR. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed on self-reported symptom severity and pain intensity favorable to BFR groups with large effect sizes (η2partial > 0.40). In addition, all signs observed during the clinical exam showed significant improvements among the groups as well as symptoms of pain, night pain, and tingling, also with large effect sizes (φ > 0.5). Finally, there were significant differences between the blinded and nonblinded BFR groups for signs and pain registered in clinical exam but not in self-reports. CONCLUSION: The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief.

Tratamiento del vitiligo con esencias florales de Bach: presentación de casos / Vitiligo treatment with Bach floral essences: Cases presentation

Se realiza una presentación de casos, de 2 pacientes en edades pediátricas con diagnóstico clínico de vitiligo. El objetivo del estudio fue exponer los resultados del tratamiento de esta dermatosis con esencias florales de Bach. Los pacientes estudiados fueron: RLT de 6 años, masculino, negro, remitido por lesiones en placas máculo- acrómicas, de 2 cm de diámetro, distribuidas en nuca y región lateral izquierda del cuello; el otro paciente OJTS, de 13 años, masculino, negro, que es remitido, por presentar lesiones en placas máculo-acrómicas, bordes precisos de 1 a 2 cm, de diámetro localizadas en región frontal y mejilla izquierda. Se les realizó interrogatorio, examen clínico general por el dermatólogo y el pediatra. Previo consentimiento informado se indicó tratamiento con esencias forales de Bach (Crab Apple, Willow y Walnut) y seguimiento posterior. Ambos niños llevan 5 años asintomáticos(AU)

It is made the case presentation of two pediatric-aged patients with clinical diagnosis of vitiligo. The aim of the study was exposing the results of this dermatosis treatment with Bach floral essences. The studied patients were: RLT, aged 6 years, male, black, remitted because of lesions in macula-achromatic plaques, of 2 cm diameter, located in nape and left lateral region of the neck; the other patient, OJTS, aged 13 years, male, black, is remitted for presenting lesions in macula-achromatic plaques, precise edges, ranging from 1 to 2 cm of diameter, located in frontal region and left cheek. The dermatologist and the pediatrician made questioning and clinical general examination. After obtaining the informed consent a treatment with Bach floral essences (Crab Apple, Willow, and walnut) and they were followed up. Both children are asymptomatic already for 5 years(AU)

Preventive use of Bach flower Rescue Remedy in the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Bach flower Rescue Remedy on the control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. DESIGN: A randomized longitudinal experimental study. METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of six animals each and orogastrically dosed with either 200 µl of water (group A, control), or 100 µl of water and 100 µl of Bach flower remedy (group B), or 200 µl of Bach flower remedy (group C) every 2 days, for 20 days. All animals were fed standard rat chow and water ad libitum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urine volume, body weight, feces weight, and food intake were measured every 2 days. On day 20, tests of glycemia, hyperuricemia, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol were performed, and the anatomy and histopathology of the heart, liver and kidneys were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Tukey's test at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in food intake, feces weight, urine volume and uric acid levels between groups. Group C had a significantly lower body weight gain than group A and lower glycemia compared with groups A and B. Groups B and C had significantly higher HDL-cholesterol and lower triglycerides than controls. Animals had mild hepatic steatosis, but no cardiac or renal damage was observed in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Bach flower Rescue Remedy was effective in controlling glycemia, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol and may serve as a strategy for reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rats. This study provides some preliminary "proof of concept" data that Bach Rescue Remedy may exert some biological effects.

Conocimiento y aplicación de la medicina natural y tradicional por profesionales y técnicos de la salud / Knowledge and implementation of natural and traditional medicine by professionals and health technicians

En Cuba la medicina natural y tradicional es considerada una disciplina médica reconocida por el Ministerio de Salud Pública (MINSAP), por lo que los profesionales y técnicos de los servicios de salud deben estar preparados en el manejo de las diferentes técnicas de esta terapéutica. Con el objetivo de caracterizar el comportamiento del conocimiento y práctica de procedimientos terapéuticos de medicina natural y tradicional, se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal a profesionales y técnicos de la salud del Policlínico Isidro de Armas en el año 2009. La muestra estuvo constituida por 64 profesionales y 47 técnicos de la salud a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario sobre el conocimiento de las diferentes terapéuticas de medicina natural y tradicional y su aplicación. Se obtuvo que la totalidad de los encuestados refirieron tener conocimiento acerca de la medicina natural y tradicional, el proceder más conocido fue la acupuntura y técnicas afines (88,3 por ciento) y el más aplicado fue la Fitoterapia (49,5 por ciento). Se concluyó que la proporción de profesionales y técnicos que aplica los procedimientos de medicina natural y tradicional, fue más pequeña que la proporción que refirió tener conocimiento de estas terapéuticas(AU)

In Cuba the natural and traditional medicine is considered a medical discipline recognized by Public Health Ministry, thus the professionals and technicians of health services must to be trained in the management of different techniques of this therapeutics. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in health professionals and technicians of the Isidro de Armas polyclinic in 2009 to characterize the behavior of knowledge and practice of therapeutical procedures of natural and traditional medicine. Sample included 64 health professionals and 47 health technicians underwent a questionnaire on the knowledge of the different therapeutics of natural and traditional medicine and its implementation. The total on polled considered to have enough knowledge on this field, where the more known procedure was acupuncture and related techniques (88,3 percent ) and the more applied one was the Physiotherapy (49,5percent ). We conclude that the rate of professionals and technicians who to apply the procedures related to natural and traditional medicine, was smaller than the rate referred to have knowledge on these therapeutics(AU)

Las flores de Bach en obstetricia / No disponible

El interés y uso de las terapias alternativas o complementarias han crecido durante los últimos años. En este artículo, se presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre el actual uso y aplicación de la terapia floral del Dr. Bach en obstetricia. El único artículo de revisión sistemática encontrado no ha podido demostrar que su efectividad, en el campo de la medicina, se deba solamente al efecto placebo (AU)

The interest and use of the alternative or complementary therapies has increased during the last years. In that article is about a bibliographical review on the use and application of Dr. Bach floral essences in obstetrician. The only systematic review couldn’t have demonstrated that the effect of these flowers, in medicine, is not only a placebo (AU)