CDC report on CAM use

CDC report on CAM use

There is a 40% chance that your patients are using complementary and alternative remedies according to new report from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Not including vitamins and minerals, the use of a complementary and alternatives medicine (CAM) in adults and children has increased in the last 5 years. Treatments include non-vitamin, non-mineral natural products (fish oil, flaxseed oil, echinacea), chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, deep breathing exercises, massage, and meditation. Children are also using alternative treatments, especially if their parents use them. Despite lack of evidence of efficacy, echinacea is the most common remedy used by children. In adults, use of CAM treatments for URIs is actually down, perhaps indicating better patient education. Back pain, neck pain, and arthritis pain are the most common reasons why people turn to CAM, according to this recent survey. These results point out the need to query patients about the use of complementary and alternative medicines.