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Many people take "complementary medicine" and "alternative medicine" to mean the same thing. And, although they are often grouped together under the umbrella of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine), they're actually different.

Both terms refer to treatments, like herbs or acupuncture that are out of the medical mainstream. But complementary medicine is when these therapies are used along with traditional Western medicine. Alternative medicine is when these approaches are used instead of traditional medicine.

Examples of non-mainstream medicine include yoga, chiropractic medicine, meditation, and massage therapy.

Few people use alternative medicine, and experts recommend against it. But more and more traditional doctors are accepting complementary medicine. In many cases, the two health systems actually overlap. For instance, many traditional medical doctors also practice acupuncture. And many major medical centers offer complementary approaches. Some of them are even covered by insurance.

Who Can Benefit from CAM?

In theory, anyone. It doesn't matter if they're sick or healthy. Every person will respond differently to each product or practice. It's also important to know that some complementary approaches have been studied more than others.

For example, research shows that acupuncture may be helpful in fighting chronic pain, including that of the lower back and neck. It's also been proven effective in treating pain from arthritis and different types of headaches.

Yoga may help with pain, too. It can also reduce depression and anxiety, as well as blood pressure and heart rate.

Some complementary therapies like acupuncture can help with fatigue, nausea, and other side effects of cancer treatment.

Are There Risks?

Yes. That's the case for all types of medicine, traditional Western included. But alternative medicine can be very dangerous if it's used in place of traditional treatments. It can even be life-threatening. That's partly because you're not getting proven treatments for your condition.

But many forms of complementary medicine -- like meditation -- don't have many side effects and can be used safely.

Some herbs, supplements, and vitamins also have potential side effects These substances aren't regulated by the government in the same way that drugs are. And, although many claim to be "natural," this doesn't always mean they're safe. Ingredients, dosing, and manufacturing processes can vary widely from product to product.

Here are some specific dangers linked with natural products:

St. John's Wort. This herb is used to treat depression. But it can reduce how effective some drugs are. Among these are certain cancer medications, immunosuppressants, and antiretrovirals.

Kava Kava. Some people use this herb to ease anxiety. But it may cause liver damage.

If you take this in high doses, it could affect how well chemotherapy and radiation work in treating cancer.

Herbal Products Used in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine. Some of these may contain heavy metals, like lead or arsenic.

Dietary Supplements. These can interfere with different cancer treatments. For instance, some of them might cause your skin to become sensitive if you take them while getting radiation. This is one reason why oncologists usually tell you to avoid taking them if you're undergoing treatment.

Chiropractic Treatment. In very rare cases where this natural therapy has been used on the spine, it's ended in a stroke. More common side effects, like headaches, are mild and don't last long.

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Complementary vs. Alternative Medicine: What's the Difference?

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Many people take "complementary medicine" and "alternative medicine" to mean the same thing. And, although they are often grouped together under the umbrella of CAM (complementary and alternative medicine), they're actually different. Both terms refer to treatments, like herbs or acupuncture that are out of the medical mainstream.

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Antoni Plasència es el director general del Instituto de Salud Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), un centro de investigación de referencia internacional impulsado por "la Caixa". Plasència es también médico consultor del Departamento de Salud Internacional del Hospital Clínic de Barcelona y profesor visitante de la Universidad de Barcelona. En ISGlobal, dirige un equipo de 385 personas decididas a mejorar la salud global y a promover la equidad en salud a través de la investigación y la traslación y aplicación del conocimiento, ámbitos con los que "la Caixa" está firmemente comprometida. Con motivo del Día Mundial de la Salud, hablamos con él sobre los principales retos de la salud y sobre el papel que juega la investigación para hacerles frente.
¿Cuáles son los retos más urgentes a los que se enfrenta la salud global en el siglo XXI?

Hay un conjunto de retos a los que hay que responder de manera simultánea, yo no establecería una prioridad. Los primeros son aquellos dirigidos a luchar contra la mortalidad prematura, aquellos problemas de salud que siguen afectando a la esperanza de vida de los niños. Ahí estamos hablando sobre todo de enfermedades infecciosas: de malaria, tuberculosis, infecciones respiratorias y diarreicas, pero también de malnutrición. Si no resolvemos estos problemas, no podremos asegurar la equidad, porque seguirá habiendo una parte muy importante del mundo que al nacer ya tiene un código postal, por llamarlo de alguna manera, mucho más determinante para su futuro que su código genético.
Antoni Plasència dirige un equipo de 385 personas decididas a mejorar la salud global y a promover la equidad en salud a través de la investigación y la traslación y aplicación del conocimiento
Según la OMS, en el año 2020 habrá más personas mayores de 60 años que niños menores de 5... ¿Qué hay de la salud en las personas adultas?

Aquí el reto es la emergencia de las enfermedades crónicas: debemos asegurar la salud en las poblaciones de mediana edad, limitar el impacto del cáncer, de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, los problemas de salud mental, etc.

Se calcula que el cambio climático causará 250.000 muertes adicionales al año entre los años 2030 y 2050. ¿Tienen los problemas ambientales algún impacto sobre nuestra salud?

Nuestra salud está estrechamente vinculada a los recursos naturales: el acceso al agua, el cambio climático, las temperaturas que permitan nuestro funcionamiento normal... Un reto crucial es el de la contaminación, la relación entre el abuso de los recursos naturales y nuestra salud.
"Debemos asegurar que esta ciencia se traslada a la acción, que se implantan las soluciones para contribuir a la transformación y a la mejora de la vida de las personas"
¿Algún otro reto a destacar?

No podemos olvidar el de las epidemias y las pandemias, es decir, aquellos fenómenos de salud que, por su rapidez e impacto, pueden ser muy disruptivos a corto plazo y a escala global. Y cuando digo disruptivos no me refiero únicamente al ámbito de la salud, sino también en términos de economía, geopolítica, seguridad, etc.

¿Qué papel juega la comunidad científica a la hora de afrontar estos retos?

La investigación está al servicio de la salud, tanto para conocer los problemas como para encontrar las soluciones. Pero no es suficiente, aunque es significativo e importante, generar nuevo conocimiento a partir de la ciencia: debemos asegurar que esta ciencia se traslada a la acción, que se implantan las soluciones para contribuir a la transformación y a la mejora de la vida de las personas. Sin ciencia, difícilmente podremos encontrar innovaciones que marquen la diferencia con las generaciones futuras.

¿Cuál es el objetivo de ISGlobal?

ISGlobal es un centro de investigación y de traslación que entiende que, en un mundo interdependiente y aceleradamente interconectado, la salud necesita de una visión global. Dicho de otra manera: que los problemas de salud no entienden de fronteras y, por lo tanto, tampoco lo hacen las soluciones.

¿Qué peso tienen las entidades filantrópicas como "la Caixa" en el cumplimiento de este objetivo?

Sin recursos, las buenas ideas no se pueden desarrollar. En este sentido, la apuesta de "la Caixa" por el conocimiento como un elemento transformador en pro de la salud y la equidad, así como su compromiso con la salud como elemento determinante del progreso de las sociedades, es una visión singular y muy valiosa. Por otro lado, destaca también la contribución a las colaboraciones público-privadas. Generalmente, en ciencia, la mayor parte de los apoyos a investigación son de naturaleza pública, y es bueno que sea así, pero sin el sector privado nos quedaríamos a medio camino. En este caso, ISGlobal refleja este compromiso de aunar apoyo privado y apoyo público.
"La salud no entiende de fronteras. Esto quiere decir que ni los problemas de salud entienden de fronteras ni tampoco sus soluciones"
¿Qué conclusiones extrae de su trayectoria en salud pública y global?

La salud no entiende de fronteras. Esto quiere decir que ni los problemas de salud entienden de fronteras ni tampoco sus soluciones. En un mundo sin fronteras, los problemas viajan de manera acelerada. Tenemos el ejemplo de la contaminación atmosférica, que se desplaza y afecta a comunidades lejos de donde se origina, seguimos teniendo el ejemplo del ébola... Así que no se trata de ver los problemas aisladamente en los países, sino desde esta visión de conjunto. En este momento, todos somos vecinos de todos, todos dependemos de todos, y los problemas de salud y sus soluciones también tienen mucho que ver con nuestro futuro compartido.
La actividad de ISGlobal se centra en dos grandes áreas: enfermedades infecciosas y enfermedades no transmisibles y medio ambiente, en las que su contribución ha sido determinante. Destacan su aportación en la lucha contra la malaria y la enfermedad del pian.

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Siglo XXI: Los retos de la salud global - Blog

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Esta entrevista fue publicada originalmente en el blog de Caixa Ciencia , con motivo del Día Mundial de la Salud] Antoni.... Blog sobre salud global. Abierto a todas aquellas ideas que persigan un acceso equitativo a la salud. En todo el mundo.

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YANGON (Xinhua): The Chinese medical team left Myanmar on Wednesday (April 22) after providing two-week medical assistance to local medical workers in their fight against Covid-19.

The 12-member team, who arrived in Myanmar's Yangon on April 8, comprised medical experts from China's Yunnan Province in the fields of infectious control and prevention of respiratory and severe diseases, clinic treatment and laboratory testing.

"Advices and guidelines given by the Chinese team are pragmatic and very helpful. We appreciate the team for your contribution and help through challenges during your stay here," Union Minister Dr Myint Htwe for Health and Sports told the Chinese medical team through an online video call.

During the team's two-week stay in the country, many collaborations were done in the fields of treatment, laboratory, traditional medicine and public health control relating to the fight against Covid-19 between the team and Myanmar's health authorities based on the team's frontline experiences in China, Director General Zaw Than Htun of Medical Research Department told Xinhua.

"With the help of the Chinese medical team, one more laboratory for Covid-19 test can start testing at our medical research department today, apart from the National Health Laboratory. I believe that the testing capacity will increase soon," he said.

He added that the health authorities are exerting massive efforts to cut the chain of transmission to prevent the country from having a spike in transmission.

Meanwhile, 20 sets of ventilators provided by the Chinese government arrived at Myanmar's Yangon International Airport, with the help of Chinese Embassy in Myanmar on Wednesday.

Chinese Ambassador in Myanmar Chen Hai pledged that China will continue its cooperation with Myanmar in fighting against Covid-19, and said that 15 more ventilators will arrive soon.

At present, Myanmar has reported 121 Covid-19 confirmed cases with five deaths as of Wednesday morning, since the infectious disease was first detected in Myanmar on March 23. - Xinhua

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Chinese medical team leaves after helping Myanmar battle Covid-19

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YANGON (Xinhua): The Chinese medical team left Myanmar on Wednesday (April 22) after providing two-week medical assistance to local medical workers in their fight against Covid-19. The 12-member team, who arrived in Myanmar's Yangon on April 8, comprised medical experts from China's Yunnan Province in the fields of infectious control and prevention of respiratory and severe diseases, clinic treatment and laboratory testing.

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< Back to the list of topics
Here you can find common IELTS essay questions for "Health" topic.

#1

High job demands, stress and sense of commitment are among the main reasons people go to work when they are ill. This way they accomplish important tasks, but may infect others or get some serious health problems themselves.

In your opinion should people go to work if they are sick?

Support your point of view with relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

#2

Today more people are overweight than ever before.

What in your opinion are the primary causes of this?

What measures can be taken to overcome this epidemic?

#3

Some people claim that the government should provide free health care. Others think that the government will not provide the most innovative methods of treatment and it's better to invest those funds in education and culture.

What is your opinion?

#4

Health education is an essential aspect of community health.

Do you agree or disagree?

#5

Nowadays a growing number of boys and girls within normal weight ranges have an intense fear of gaining weight and therefore get anorexia.

Why do you think a lot of teenagers have a strong desire to be skinny?

What can be done to prevent this eating disorder?

#6

Childhood obesity has become a serious problem in recent years.

What are the primary causes of this?

What measures should be taken to reduce childhood obesity?

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IELTS Writing task 2: Health questions with answer samples

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Back to the list of topics Here you can find common IELTS essay questions for "Health" topic. #1 High job demands, stress and sense of commitment are among the main reasons people go to work when they are ill. This way they accomplish important tasks, but may infect others or get some serious health problems themselves.

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Possible topics for writing and speaking exams

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Possible topics for writing and speaking exams

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Add foods with excessive chemical substances or foods completely extracted by chemical means [such as monosodium glutamate and sweeteners, food pigment.]

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encourage people to keep a healthy lifestyle and learn healthy knowledge.

Timely treatment

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The state helps the public to cover part of the medical expenses.  The chances of each patient being cured will be greatly increased. Therefore, the government is responsible for most of the people’s health.

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Some contaminating or rapidly dispersal materials that can cause discomfort to most people are not allowed to appear or show.

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A large sum of money given by some firms that are punished for the reasons of environmental emissions of pollution source.

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the decline of the traditional family often leaves the elderly with no personal support (yougov.co.uk)

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 "As we have so much proof of the harm it causes, cigarette smoking should be banned in all public places. Furthermore, anyone who ignores the ban should pay a heavy fine."

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 "As we have so much proof of the harm it causes, cigarette smoking should be banned in all public places. Furthermore, anyone who ignores the ban should pay a heavy fine."

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Third, it would be exceedingly difficult to implement a system that holds individuals responsible for their own health, since diseases and disabilities result from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors.

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Second, it is unfair to hold individuals responsible for their own health if they cannot make sound health‐related choices because of ignorance, mental incompetence, addictive behaviors or cultural pressures.

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5 reasons to ban smoking in public places

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5 reasons to ban smoking in public places

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1. Secondhand smoke has serious negative health consequences.
2. Litter reduction.
3. The lingering odor of stale cigarettes.
4.The right to a healthy workplace.
5.The cost of secondhand smoke.

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First, holding individuals entirely responsible for their own health conflicts with medicine's obligation to treat the sick and society's obligation to take care of vulnerable people.

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physical inactivity costs Europe over €80 billion per year  (debatingeurope.eu)

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An open situation where the population has a large amount of traffic and the disease is easy to spread [such as flu].

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Definitions of important (but not easy) terms

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Definitions of important (but not easy) terms

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Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health in many developed countries is now falling. What could be the reason for this trend, and what can be done to reverse it?

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IELTS Vocabulary Band 8-topic HEALTH-IELTS Academic

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alternative medicine
nutrition
medical care
physical situation
quit smoking
balance diet
dentist
toothache
banning of smoking
therapy
junk food
cancer