Sample Solution

Alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of therapeutic modalities, practices and products outside of conventional medicine. While ACM has been used to treat many illnesses including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, the safety and effectiveness of these treatments remain controversial.

Research on the efficacy of alternative treatments for cancer is limited due to the difficulty in designing rigorous clinical trials that can measure the effects of various combinations of therapies accurately. However, certain ACM practices such as acupuncture have been found to be effective in managing some symptoms associated with cancer treatment such as nausea and pain (González-Reyes et al., 2018). In addition, herbal medicines may also offer an adjuvant or supportive role for individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy (Bosch Baena et al., 2019).

For type 2 diabetes there is evidence that lifestyle changes involving exercise, diet control and weight loss are beneficial in decreasing blood glucose levels (Yamada et al., 2020). Likewise, there is increasing evidence from randomized controlled trials showing benefits from yoga practice for improving glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to usual care alone or other forms of exercise (Kumar & Dutta 2020).

The safety and effectiveness of alternative and complementary medicine (CAM) for the treatment of specific illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension is a contentious topic. Many CAM therapies have had promising results in clinical trials; however, traditional methods remain the primary source of medical treatment and are generally more widely accepted by mainstream medical practitioners.

In terms of treating cancer specifically, many CAM therapies can be used to support patients during their treatments. These include acupuncture, massage therapy, dietary supplements, herbal remedies, mind-body techniques such as yoga or meditation, and other holistic approaches. Although these therapies cannot replace conventional treatments for cancer like chemotherapy or radiation therapy, they can improve patient quality of life significantly. For example, studies have suggested that acupuncture may help to reduce fatigue associated with chemotherapy or even enhance the effects of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. Similarly for diabetes – lifestyle modifications such as diet changes may prove beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels alongside additional interventions from CAM practitioners.