Alt Health Dictionary

This condition, also known as mountain sickness, occurs in mountain climbers or hikers who have climbed too quickly to heights above 3,000 metres, thus failing to allow their bodies to acclimatise to altitude. The lower atmospheric pressure and shortage of oxygen result in hyperventilation – deep, quick breathing – and this reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. Nausea, anxiety and exhaustion are presenting symptoms, and seriously affected individuals may be acutely breathless because of pulmonary oedema (excess ?uid in the lungs). Gradual climbing over two or three days should prevent mountain sickness. In serious cases the individual must be brought down to hospital urgently. Most attacks, however, are mild.... altitude sickness

Causing a favorable change in the disordered functions of the body or metabolism... alterative

See COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM).... alternative medicine

(Greek) Possessing the power to heal; wholesome

Althia, Althaea, Altha, Altheda, Althya... althea

See ALTE.... acute life-threatening event (alte)

(Spanish) The high grace of the Virgin Mary Alta... altagracia

(Arabic) Resembling the flying eagle; a bright star in the constellation Aquila Altaire, Altaira, Altayr, Altayre, Altaer, Altaere, Altayra, Altaera... altair

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia and A. peruviana).

Plant Part Used: Leaf, aerial parts.

Dominican Medicinal Uses: The leaf is traditionally prepared as a tea and taken orally for arthritis, delayed menses, diarrhea (in children and adults), infections, kidney ailments, menstrual pain, postpartum cleansing and stomach ache. It is also used externally as a poultice for menstrual pain and as a bath for energetic cleansing, good luck and spiritual protection.

Safety: The pollen of Ambrosia species is a common allergen and may cause symptoms of hayfever in hypersensitive individuals. Plant material should be washed thoroughly before use to remove pollen. Cases of contact dermatitis, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis and other adverse effects have been associated with this plant.

Contraindications: Due to lack of available safety information, avoid use during pregnancy or lactation and in children under 5 years of age.

Drug Interactions: Synergistic interactions may occur with medications that share similar biological activities to those demonstrated by this herb (see “Clinical Data” and “Laboratory & Preclinical Data” below).

Clinical Data: The following effects of Ambrosia artemisiifolia have been investigated in human clinical trials: allergenic, immunotherapeutic and irritant.

Laboratory & Preclinical Data: Ambrosia species have shown the following biological activities in laboratory or preclinical studies using in vitro or animal models: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial and cytotoxic.

* See entry for Altamisa in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... altamisa

This is an abbreviation for ‘acute life-threatening event’. It applies to infants, usually under one year of age, who suddenly and unexpectedly become pale or blue and appear to stop breathing. They generally recover spontaneously, although a parent or bystander often administers mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. By the time the baby reaches hospital he or she is usually well. Investigations show that the most common cause of ALTE is GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX, causing stomach acid to be regurgitated into the throat and provoking re?ex closure of the GLOTTIS. Other causes may be brief epileptic seizures, identi?ed by ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG); a heart ARRHYTHMIA; or a respiratory infection. In many cases the cause remains unknown, even though the events may be repeated, and the large majority of babies ‘grow out’ of the condition. Much controversy surrounds the suggestion – con?rmed by hidden video-recording in hospitals – that a small minority of these babies have been subjected to repeated brief deliberate su?ocation (see under MUNCHAUSEN’S SYNDROME).

Treatment is that of the underlying cause, if discovered. Parents may also be o?ered an APNOEA monitor, a device attached to the child

– especially when asleep – which sounds an alarm if breathing stops for more than 20 seconds.... alte

(Linn.) R. Br. ex DC.

Synonym: A. triandra Lam. A. denticulata R. Br. A. repens Gmel. Non-Link.

Family: Amaranthaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the hotter parts of India, especially around tanks and ponds.

Ayurvedic: Matsyaakshi, Matsyaak- shika (a multimeaning name, also indicating Braahmi, Ain- dri), Matsyagandhaa, Matsyaa- dini, Minaakshi, Bahli, Gandali, Gartkalambukaa, Vaahlikaa.

Unani: Machhechhi.

Siddha/Tamil: Ponnonkanni keerai.

Folk: Gudari Saag.

Action: Febrifuge, galactagogue, cholagogue.

Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of dried whole plant in diseases due to vitiated blood and obstinate skin diseases.

Young shoots contain protein 5% and iron 16.7 mg/100 g. Leaves also contain a good amount of alpha- and beta-tocopherols.

The plant gave stigmasterol, beta- sitosterol, a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon and aliphatic ester.

Dosage: Whole plant—2-6 g powder. (API Vol. II.)... alternanthera sessilis

Having plant parts, particularly leaves, arranged alternately along a stem, as opposed to in pairs or whorled.... alternate

Health care practices that are not currently an integral part of conventional medicine. The list of these practices changes over time as the practices and therapies are proven safe and effective and become accepted as mainstream health care practices. These unorthodox approaches to health care are not based on biomedical explanations for their effectiveness. Examples include homeopathy, herbal formulas, and use of other natural products as preventive and treatment agents.... alternative and complementary health care / medicine / therapies

A complete system of theory and practices that has evolved independently of, and often prior to, the conventional biological approach. Many are traditional systems of medicine that are practised by individual cultures throughout the world. Traditional Oriental medicine and Ayurveda, India’s traditional system of medicine, are two examples.... alternative medical system

Linn.

Family: Malvaceae.

Habitat: Native to eastern Europe; found in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

English: Marshmallow, Hollyhock.

Unani: Khatmi, Gul-Khairu (also equated with Althaea rosea Linn.).

Siddha/Tamil: Shemai-tutti.

Action: Demulcent, emollient, antitussive (used for cough, bronchitis, gastritis, enteritis and cystitis), antilithic, diuretic.

Key application: (leaf and root) In irritation ofthe oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough; in mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa. (German Commission E, ESCOP.) As demulcent. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) In gastroenteritis, peptic and duodenal ulceration, common and ulcerative colitis. (The British Herbal Compendium.) Topically for varicose veins, skin ulcers, abscesses, cuts, burns.

Althaea rosea (L.) Cav., synonym Al- cea rosea L., Hollyhock flower, is used as mucilage for prophylaxis and therapy of diseases and discomforts of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract and for urinary complaints. (It is included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.)

The root contains starch, mucilage, pectin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, sucrose, tannins and asparagines. Mucilage (18-35%) consists of a number of polysaccharides. Flavonoids include kaempferol, quercetin and diosmetin glucosides. Polyphenolic acids include syringic, caffeic, salcyclic, vanillic and p-coumaric acids.

The mucilages have proven biological activity including stimulation of phagocytosis in vitro.

The root counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis.... althaea officinalis

Noronha

Family: Altingiaceae.

Habitat: Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

English: Storax, Oriental Sweet Gum.

Ayurvedic: Shilaarasa, Turushka, Silhaka (substitute for Liquidamber orientalis, Hamamelidaceae).

Siddha/Tamil: Neriyurishippal.

Action: Resin—carminative, stomachic, antiscorbutic expectorant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antistress, hepatoprotective. Externally used in scabies and leucoderma.

The ethyl acetate extract of the root of A. excelsa was studied for antistress effect in a variety of biological models of stress; also in stress-induced ulcers and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Antistress was the most significant pharmacological property of the Storax.... altingia excelsa

Blume.

Family: Moraceae.

Habitat: Assam, eastwards to Malaysia.

Ayurvedic: Nandi vrksha (var), Choraka-patra (var.).

Folk: Gadgubar (Assam).

Action: Leaves and bark—used in skin diseases. The tree is one of the recorded hosts of the Indian lac insect.... ficus altissima

“Medicines that alter the process of nutrition, restoring in some unknown way the normal functions of an organ or system . . . re-establishing healthy nutritive processes” (Blakiston Medical Dictionary)

They are blood cleansers that favourably change the character of the blood and lymph to de-toxify and promote renewal of body tissue. The term has been superseded by the word ‘adaptogen’. See: ADAPTOGEN. However, since the majority of professional phytotherapists still use the term ‘alterative’, the term ‘alterative’ is used through this book to describe the particular action of the group which includes:–

Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Blue Flag root, Burdock, Chaparral, Chicory, Clivers, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Garlic, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Marigold, Mountain Grape, Nettles, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Thuja, Turkey Corn, Wild Indigo, Yellow Dock.

English traditional formula: equal parts, Burdock, Red Clover, Yellow Dock. Place quarter of the mixture in 2 pints water; simmer gently down to 1 pint. Dose: one-third-half cup thrice daily, before meals. Effects are to enhance elimination through skin, kidneys and bowels; to provide hormone precursors, electrolytes and minerals. The above combination may also be taken in liquid extracts, tinctures or powders. ... alteratives

n. a *tissue-type plasminogen activator made by recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering). Alteplase is used to dissolve blood clots (see fibrinolytic) in the treatment of ischaemic stroke, myocardial infarction, and pulmonary embolism. Possible side-effects include local bleeding, cerebral haemorrhage, nausea, and vomiting.... alteplase

a type of organ donation where the donor offers an organ (often a kidney) for transplantation into a stranger. This may form a chain of organ donation to allow a suitable match for the donor’s relative or partner if the pair are incompatible.... altruistic donation

alternate variation of the force of the pulse due to variation in force of heart muscle contraction. It is a sign of cardiomyopathy and heart failure.... pulsus alternans

This is the title used for a diverse group of health-related therapies and disciplines which are not considered to be a part of mainstream medical care. Other terms sometimes used to describe them include ‘natural medicine’, ‘nonconventional medicine’ and ‘holistic medicine’. CAM embraces those therapies which may either be provided alongside conventional medicine (complementary) or which may, in the view of their practitioners, act as a substitute for it. Alternative disciplines purport to provide diagnostic information as well as o?ering therapy. However, there is a move now to integrate CAM with orthodox medicine and this view is supported by the Foundation for Integrated Medicine in the UK in its report, A way forward for the next ?ve years? – A discussion paper (1997).

The University of Exeter Centre for Complementary Health Studies report, published in 2000, estimated that there are probably more than 60,000 practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine in the UK. In addition there are about 9,300 therapist members of organisations representing practitioners who have statutory quali?cations, including doctors, nurses (see NURSING), midwives, osteopaths and physiotherapists; chiropractors became fully regulated by statute in June 2001. There are likely to be many thousands more health sta? with an active interest or involvement in the practice of complementary medicine – for example, the 10,000 members of the Royal College of Nursing’s Complementary Therapy Forum. It is possible that up to 20,000 statutory health professionals regularly practise some form of complementary medicine including half of all general practices providing access to CAMs – most commonly manipulation therapies. The report from the Centre at Exeter University estimates that up to 5 million patients consulted a practitioner specialising in complementary and alternative medicine in 1999. Surveys of users of complementary and alternative practitioners show a relatively high satisfaction rating and it is likely that many patients will go on to use such therapists over an extended period. The Exeter Centre estimates that, with the increments of the last two years, up to 15–20 million people, possibly 33 per cent of the population of the country, have now sought such treatment.

The 1998 meeting of the British Medical Association (BMA) agreed to ‘investigate the scienti?c basis and e?cacy of acupuncture and the quality of training and standards of con?dence in its practitioners’. In the resulting report (July 2000) the BMA recommended that guidelines on CAM use for general practitioners, complementary medicine practitioners and patients were urgently needed, and that the Department of Health should select key CAM therapies, including acupuncture, for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Medicine (NICE). The BMA also reiterated its earlier recommendation that the main CAM therapies, including acupuncture, should be included in familiarisation courses on CAM provided within medical schools, and that accredited postgraduate education should be provided to inform GPs and other clinicians about the possible bene?ts of CAM for patients.... complementary and alternative medicine (cam)

A General Medical Council style organisation with a single Register, common ethics and disciplinary procedures for its members. To promote high standards of education, qualification and treatment; to preserve the patient’s freedom of choice.

Founder groups: The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, College of Osteopaths, British Naturopathic and Osteopathic Association, The British Chiropractic Association, The Society of Homoeopaths, The British Acupuncture Association, The Traditional Acupuncture Society and the Register of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Objects: to provide vital unified representation to contest adverse legislation; to promote the interests of those seeking alternative treatments; to maintain standards of competent primary health care; to protect the practice of alternative medicine if Common Law is encroached upon. The Council prefers to work in harmony with the orthodox profession in which sense it is complementary. Council’s first chairman: Simon Mills, FNIMH. Address: 10 Belgrave Square, London SW1X BPH. ... council for complementary and alternative medicine