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Unit 2:Assignment CAM Paper
Lauren Lane
Herzing University
NU636
Professor Glass
May 21st, 2023
2
Introduction
Complementary and alternative medicine also known as CAM, is known as a medical
practice that is not the normal standard of care. CAM has been more frequently used and tested
due to the effectiveness. According to the NHIS Health Interview Survey, about thirty-eight
percent of adults are using complementary and alternative medicine. CAM can be combined with
normal medicine for increased effectiveness. Complementary medicine can be used with
conventional medicine to treat a patient (CDC et al.,2022). Compared to alternative medicine, it
is used to treat a patient alone compared to combining it with standard treatment. Examples of
CAM include, but not limited to acupuncture, yoga, herbs, and healing practices. Many of these
practices are used to treat a wide spread of the human body. Throughout this breakdown the
focus will be on the cardiovascular system. CAM can be used to treat a wide spread of
cardiovascular diseases with examples CAM including, Ginseng, Hawthorn, L-Arginine, and
St-John's worts. These types of CAM can individually affect the cardiovascular system and work
in combo with other standards of care to treat the patient effectively. Although, there are many
benefits with using these types of CAMs there are risks and adverse effects. As a nurse,
education with these types of treatments are very important and will be discussed throughout this
breakdown (CDC et al.,2022).
Ginseng
Ginseng is a well known alternative medicine that started in China. Ginseng started in the
Han dynasty era and has continued to be used in today’s century. Ginseng is described as a herb
and also named the “man-root due to its shape. This type of herb is used for multiple diseases
and treats a variety of patients. Throughout this breakdown will focus on the cardiovascular
system. Ginseng is extracted and prepared with water, ginseng can be bought over the counter
and a variety of stores. Ginseng can affect patients who are diagnosed with a wide variety of
3
cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases can be defined as, a disease that involves the
heart and/or the blood vessels. Blood flow to rang part of the body can be disrupted due to these
diseases. Thrombosis can occur and atherosclerosis which is hardening of the arteries. Ginseng
can affect the cardiovascular system by treating and preventing atherosclerosis and coronary
heart disease. Ginseng can affect the gene regulation with atherosclerotic and improve lipid
count. Studies have shown that ginseng has improved the lipid count by reducing cholesterol
concentrations in the blood (CDC et al., 2022). Also, Ginseng can reduce superoxide dismutase
and catalase levels in the blood. Although there are many benefits of using Ginseng there are
side effects and risks such as increased heart rate and increased blood pressure. When used on
the skin it can cause irritation and inflammation (Liu et al.,2022). When taken orally, can cause
trouble sleeping and can cause a rash. Looking at the cardiovascular effects, it can affect the
heart rhythm and blood pressure. Patient education with this type of CAM should include, when
to take it, the risks and benefits. Also, to discuss with the patient if the benefits outweigh the
risks (Liu et al.,2022).
Hawthorn
Similar to ginseng, hawthorn can affect the body, especially the cardiovascular system.
Hawthorn is a plant that deprived from a tree in the rose family. Similarly, to ginseng it helps in
cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic
disease. Hawthorn the plant can be found in temperate areas such as North American, Asia,
North Africa, and parts of Europe(
Hawthorn
et al.,n.d). Although hawthorn has positive effects
in the cardiovascular system it can also be used in the digestive system and assist in patients with
anxiety. Hawthorn has shown in studies to assist in treating patients with heart failure. Patients
with heart failure are having trouble pumping the adequate amount of blood to the body as it
should be (U.S. Department). A study done by Cloud, showed when a patient takes hawthorn
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over several weeks, significantly lowered the participants blood pressures. Another study
showed, taking 900 mg a day for the span of two months had similar effects to heart failure
medication named captopril (Cloud et al.,2020). The anticipated benefits to using hawthorn are
shown to be an anti-inflammatory, assist in cardiovascular disease as stated above and in the
digestive system. With any of use of CAMs come risks and possible adverse effects. Possible
interactions if patient's are taking digoxin include, increased sensitivity to digoxin leading to
digoxin toxicity.Similarly to digoxin, when a patient is on a beta blocker and taking hawthorn it
will increase the effects of the beta-blocker. Other side effects include nausea, dizziness, and
other digestive systems. Patient education for hawthorn includes, to not take when breastfeeding
or currently pregnant and to not give to children. Similarly, to always discuss with a physician to
see if the negatives outweigh the positives of using hawthorn (Zhang et al.,2022).
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is a type of amino acid that is associated with proteins. L-Arginine is derived
from glutamine, glutamate, and proline. Similarly, two types of CAMs discussed above
L-Arginine have been tested to improve a patient's cardiovascular system. Similarly, to other
types CAMs it can be treated in many types of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease
that L-Arginine can treat is hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and ect. L-arginine is
made in multiple ways, the most common is most mammals that can synthesize amino acids
from proteins (
Frontiers et al., 2020)
. Another way, it can be found in dairy, nuts, soy products,
and fish. Looking at dosing of L-arginine, patient's can be dosed anywhere between six grams
to thirty grams a day. Looking at a study done by Attila, showed over a four week period of time
with patients with chest pain who took L-arginine that it significantly improved their chest pains
(
Cziráki et al.,2020)
. Another study showed the use of L-Arginine and the reduction of
hypertension. The benefits as discussed above include, the reduction of chest pain and
5
hypertension. Risks and adverse effects that patients should be well aware of prior to taking
L-Arginine supplements are GI upsets, gout, headache, and possibly make asthma symptoms
more aggravated. A provider should educate a patient on possible adverse reactions and
interactions with other medications the patient may be on. Possible interaction that should be
educated include, if the patient is on any blood thinners L-arginine could increase the chance of
bleeding. Another interaction include, is the use of Isuprel, if the patient is already taking this
medication combining it with L-arginine could cause the patient's to become hypotensive. As
stated, above with all CAMS the provider should educate the patient with the pros and cons of
taking this type of CAM (
Mayo et al.,2021)
.
St.John’s wort
St.John’s wort similar to other types of CAMS a derived from a type of flower that was
found in European countries. St.John’s wort has been used for decades to treat a variety of
diseases. Diseases including, insomnia, wound healing, depression, and the kidneys. In this
discussion about this type of CAM will focus on the cardiovascular system. There have been
studies shown that St.John's wort increases brain activity releasing serotonin. A study done by
Fisher, showed that the use of St.john's wort to treat depression caused supraventricular
tachycardia also known as SVT. SVT occurs when the patient has an increased heartbeat that
will develop when normal electrical impulses of the heart are obstructed (
Fisher et al.,2021)
.
Although, as discussed above many of the CAMs have positive impacts on the cardiovascular
systems however, some do not. In this study, a thirty-three year old female patient who started
St.John's wort to treat patients started to have recurring heart palpitations. Benefits of taking
St.Johns wort include, assistance in treating menopausal symptoms, insomnia, wound healing,
and depression. With every CAM come with side effects and adverse reactions, this includes
increased sensitivity to light, dry mouth, fatigue, and headache. Education for taking St.Johns
wort include, having regular blood work down such as serotonin levels. Taking st.john's wort can
6
decrease the effects of some medications including clozapine and benzodiazepines (
U.S.
Department et al.,2020)
.
Conclusion
To conclude, complementary and alternative medicine are known as medical practices
that are not the normal standard of care. When a patient combines normal standards of
practices and complementary and alternative medicines can increase the effectiveness of their
treatments. Starting off with a type of CAM called Ginseng, this type of CAM affects gene
regulation with patients who have atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that ginseng has
improved the patient's lipid count by reducing cholesterol concentrations in the blood. Another
positive about Ginseng is it reduces the catalase levels in the blood
(Liu et al.,2022)
.Another
type of CAM discussed above was h
awthorn, this type of cam is used in patients with heart
failure. A study discussed above, showed patients with heart failure taking this type of CAM had
significantly lower blood pressure (Cloud et al.,2020). Another CAM discussed was L-Arginine,
patient's who were given between six grams to thirty grams a day had improvement in their chest
pains
(
Cziráki et al.,2020)
.
. Lastly, St.John's wort is a type of CAM that was shown to have
negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Patient's who were taking this type of CAM to
treat depression showed a chance of getting supraventricular tachycardia
(
Fisher et al.,2021). As
discussed above, all types of CAMS need to be reviewed by each patient's individual physician
to make a care plan best suited for a patient.
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Work cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 9).
Complementary and alternative
medicine
. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Liu, L., Hu, J., Mao, Q., Liu, C., He, H., Hui, X., Yang, G., Qu, P., Lian, W., Duan, L., Dong, Y.,
Pan, J., Liu, Y., He, Q., Li, J., & Wang, J. (2022, November 24).
Functional compounds
of ginseng and ginseng-containing medicine for treating cardiovascular diseases
.
Cloud, A., Vilcins, D., & McEwen, B. (2020). The effect of hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) on blood
pressure: A systematic review.
Advances in Integrative Medicine
,
7
(3), 167–175
Hawthorn
. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.).
Zhang, J., Chai, X., Zhao, F., Hou, G., & Meng, Q. (2022). Food Applications and Potential
Health Benefits of Hawthorn.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.).
Hawthorn
. National Center for
Complementary and Integrative Health.
Frontiers | L-arginine-nitric oxide-asymmetric dimethylarginine pathway ... (2020, June)
Cziráki, A., Lenkey, Z., Sulyok, E., Szokodi, I., & Koller, A. (2020). L-Arginine-Nitric
Oxide-Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Pathway and the Coronary Circulation: Translation
of Basic Science Results to Clinical Practice.
Frontiers in pharmacology
,
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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021, February 4).
L-arginine
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8
Fisher, K. A., Patel, P., Abualula, S., & Concepion, L. (2021, April 7).
St. John's wort-induced
supraventricular tachycardia
. Cureus.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020, October).
St. John’s wort
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