Abstracts
Alternative medicine: Current Applications in Health Promotion Institutions.
José Luis Álvarez Gómez, MD, First Degree Specialist in Family Medicine, Eumelia Ondina Terrero, MD, First Degree Specialist in Family Medicine, Antonio Guiteras Polyclinic, Old Havana.
ABSTRACT: In the last few years, 
KEY WORDS: Alternative Medicine, Health Tourism, Primary Care.
Magneto Therapy in Treatment of Psoriasis.
Enrique Garbayo Otaño, MD, First Degree Specialist in Dermatology and Family Medicine; Carina Sesin Vidal, First Degree Specialist in Internal Medicine, Diploma in Natural and Traditional Medicine (NTM);Nancy Cabrera López, MD, First Degree Specialist in Microbiology; Ramón Daniel Simón, MD, PhD in Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Second Degree Specialist in Dermatology; Eng. Alieser Deyne Fonseca, Member of the Bioenergy Group, Santa Cruz del Norte. Joaquin Albarran Hospital, Havana.
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of using magneto therapy to treat 100 patients
suffering from psoriasis. TERAMAG equipment was used, the magnetic
inductorsplaced directly on the lesion at a frequency of 50 hz, and
123 gauss of intensity for twenty minutes daily during six weeks.
A clinical histopathological exam was conducted before and after treatment,
and the information was entered into a database to evaluate results.
The international classification of Complete Regression, Significant
Regression, Moderate Regression, Unchanged, and Worse was used, for
which we conducted statistical analyses with descriptive techniques
using percentages. 76% of patients showed Significant Regression, while
24 % showed Complete Regression. A skin biopsy at the end of treatment
showed histopathological changes compatible with psoriasis-like chronic
dermatitis, which proved the efficacy of this treatment.
Key Words: Magneto-therapy, Treatment for Psoriasis, Magneto-therapy and Psoriasis
A study of electromagnetic contamination in workplaces, health centers and housing and their influence on human health.
Laureano Orbera Hernández, MD; Boris Peña Fortes, BS. National Thermal Center, Havana.
ABSTRACT: This paper describes the results of a number of geo-biological investigations conducted in houses, workplaces and health centers with electromagnetic contamination problems. These investigations fall within the framework of characterization studies of several geo-biological phenomena which are carried out by specialists of the National Thermal Center (CENTERVISA).
The main goal was to elaborate a technical and methodological research objective, allowing us to corroborate the influence of magnetic fields on human health. With this in mind, the following facilities were chosen for study: a house, a homeopathic pharmacy, a Natural and Traditional Medicine Clinic, a pediatric hospital, and a rehabilitation hospital.
The methods used consisted in an electromagnetic study of the premises, aided by a Guassimeter, which registers electrical fields and radio waves in addition to electromagnetic fields. In all the locations longitudinal and transversal profiles were prepared one meter apart; and iso-anomaly maps of electromagnetic fields were prepared in miliGauss.
The research concluded that: 1. Areas with
high levels of electromagnetic contamination were found in all cases;
the highest levels were found in the house, the William Soler Polyclinic
and the homeopathic pharmacy. 2. People in the contaminated places
suffered from problems such as stress, circulatory trouble, lack of
concentration, excessive tiredness at the end of their working day,
and more difficulty in diagnosing and applying therapies.
Gilda C. Enríquez Sansevero, MD, First Degree Specialist in Allergies, Homeopathist, Natural and Traditional Medicine laser specialist, Collaborator, CIMEQ Hospital; Vladimir Eng Ramos, MD, First Degree Specialist in Family Medicine, Diploma in Homeopathy, Specialized Polyclinic, San Antonio de los Baños.
ABSTRACT: Bibliography was
reviewed on the topic of suppression, a major issue in medicine. It
consists of using therapy to stop the action of the law of healing.
Suppression is the elimination of the external symptoms of a disease
without actually curing the patient, by means of external mechanical,
chemical, or topical treatment, or by the use of drugs. Suppression
is found in allopathy, homeopathy and other forms of alternative medicine.
Homeopathic suppression is a palliative treatment, with a correct and
incorrect application. Morbid metastases are produced when this treatment
is not correctly used, and more complications and suffering are brought
to the patient..
Homeopathic Treatment in Toothache.
Elizabeth Delgado Miranda, DDS, Diploma in Homeopathy. Diego Tamayo Polyclinic, Old Havana.
ABSTRACT: A retrospective study was made of 192 patients suffering from toothaches seen in the Dental Service at the Dr. Diego Tamayo Polyclinic in Old Havana between March 1995 and March 1997. These patients received homeopathic therapy before conventional dental treatment.
Patients in the 15-34 age group (95 patients) and the 35-39 group (73 patients) predominated, for 49.4% and 38.0% respectively.
The most commonly used homeopathic drugs for treating toothache were Belladona, in 95 patients (49.48%), followed by Hepar Sulphur in 75 patients (39.08%), and Coffea cradum in 10 patients (5.02%).
100% of patients treated with this therapeutic
method reported immediate relief from their pain, facilitating the dentist’s
work without need for analgesics.
Acupuncture and Electro-acupuncture for Pain from Osteoporosis in the Lumbar Region.
Fe Bosh Valdes, MD, Second Degree Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation; María del Carmen Rabi, MD, First Degree Specialist in General Surgery; Manuel Hernandez Arteaga, MD; José C. García Jacomino, Psychologist.
ABSTRACT:
Osteo-arthrritis in the lumbar region is an important cause of pain or physical
disability. Therapies are not always successful and the drugs used
are not free from negative reactions. A tendency has developed to
use more conservative methods to treat this disease. The use of acupuncture
and electro-acupuncture has increased in the last few years. This
study aims at comparing their efficacy, as there are controversial criteria
in the reviewed literature favoring one over the other. The study included
1688 patients referred to the Pain Clinic with this diagnosis. Either
acupuncture or electro-acupuncture was prescribed, using the same points
(bladder meridians, gallbladder, painful points and extra meridian points,
in the segmentary innervation). The only change was in the electrical
stimulus. All patients were evaluated according to a visual analogical
scale (VAS). Both methods proved effective in our study. Patients
responded to treatment more quickly and effectively when electro-acupuncture
was used. No adverse reactions were reported.
Treating Dysthymia with Laser and Acupuncture.
Norma Fernández Hernández, MD. The Adolescent Clinic, Havana.
ABSTRACT: Patients with dysthymic disorders have been traditionally treated with chemotherapy, and results have been successful. At the same time, it is also frequent to find side and/or secondary effects which make maintaining treatment difficult once the main symptoms of the disease have been controlled.
According to Asian Traditional Medicine, diseases caused by the seven emotional factors can cause disorders in the Zang-Fu organs and disturb the circulation of Quin Xue.
Based on this hypothesis, we decided to apply laser-puncture in our clinic. Our purpose was to evaluate how effective laser-puncture can be for dysthymic patients.
Twenty patients with dysthymic disorders were randomly chosen for the study, and another twenty were chosen for the control group. Their symptoms were analyzed according to OTM, and after the points were selected, the study group received laser-puncture while the control group received 10 to 15 sessions of acupuncture.
In conclusion, dysthymic disorders were more
common in female patients; and a remarkable improvement appeared in
both groups after the seventh session. Unlike acupuncture, laser treatment
was well accepted.
Phytotherapy, apitherapy and dietary therapy. A proposed Textbook for the Specialty of Natural – Traditional Medicine.
Juan A. Marin Preval, MD, Midalis Gracial Serrano, MD, Joaquina Gómez Peire, MD, Sabeida Obret Labarde, MD. Dr. Luis Díaz Soto Hospital, Havana.
ABSTRACT: Our purpose was to prepare and distribute a basic text for training specialists in Natural and Traditional Medicine. A thorough bibliographic review was carried out related to the three therapeutic profiles involved, a selections made according to curricula, and the results compiled and distributed to residents.
The content was organized in three chapters. Chapter
One includes medicinal plants approved by the national health system
with their common and scientific names, their nature, taste, useful
portion, preparation method, chemical composition, pharmacological action,
forms of administration and directions for use. Chapter Two deals with
honey, royal jelly, propoleo, wax and pollen. It includes processing,
properties, classification, composition, nutritional value, methods
of use and contraindications. Chapter Three includes research on the
nature of foods to prevent and treat diseases, as well as a careful
selection of certain plant species used in diet for their therapeutic
value. Also included are current dietary recommendations and a list
of food alternatives and their calories.
An Alternative Method For Evaluating Acute Toxicity Of Medicinal Plant Extracts.
José Betancourt Badell, MD, María J. Martínez Guerra, BS, Marisol López Barreiro, BS, Francisco J. Morón Rodríguez, MD, Dr. Salvador Allende School of Medical Sciences, Havana.
ABSTRACT: The Alternative Toxicology Group
was created in
The method of acute toxic classes (ATC) was accepted by the OECD in 1995 as an alternative for the test of medium lethal doses (LD50). In this test, mortality ranges are defined from prefixed doses of 25, 200 and 2000 mg/kg following the established experimental protocol.
The study of acute toxicological potential was conducted using the ATC method in Cuban flora whose pharmacological actions have been demonstrated, including: Schinus terebentifolius Raddi, Psidium guajava L, Croton lechleri L., Piper auritum H.B.K., Indigofera suffruticosa Mill.
Results showed that this method provides
a simple and reproducible method that facilitates classification of
toxicity classes the same way as the LD50 classical test. It requires
a smaller number of animals and there are less animal deaths in comparison
with the classical test of medium lethal doses. The substitution of
the latter thus has bioethical and economic significance in pre-clinical
experimentation with medicinal plants.
An Integrated Compendium Of Medicinal Plants In The Turquino-Manati Plan,
Marlenis Cala Cala, MS, Eng. Omar Cantillo Ferreiro, Mercedes Bazzi, BS, CITMA, Alina Lobaina Pobeda, BS, GEOCUBA; Esperanza Cardosa, BS, School of Medical Sciences; Eng. Claro Domínguez, MINAGRIC.
ABSTRACT: With the aim of contributing to the continued provincial achievements of Natural and Traditional Medicine, and given the valuable information on medicinal plants scattered throughout different sources, a database was prepared for 75 medicinal species belonging to 36 botanical families. The data includes: name of species, plants in danger of extinction plus others not present in our territory, useful portion of the plant, etc.
This compendium has become an important reference
for doctors in prescribing phyto-medicine in different zones of the
Turquino-Manati Plan (mountainous regions) as a whole. It also includes
a list of medicinal species and their therapeutic properties, as well
as a list of what conventional chemical medications they may substitute.
Efficacy Of Auricular-Therapy And Acupuncture In Treating Insomnia.
Amparo Navarro Padrón, MD, Isabel Martínez Aguilera, MD, Dulce Navarro Martínez, MD, Yamirka Echevarría Varona, MD, Previsora Teaching Polyclinic, Camagüey.
ABSTRACT: A study was made of 75
patients who visited the Psychiatry Service at Previsora Teaching Polyclinic,
in Camaguey City, between January and May, 2000. They were between
15 and 59 years, of both sexes and diagnosed as having sleeping disorders
known as insomnia at a neurotic level. Three treatment groups of 25
patients each were formed. Group A received auricular-therapy, Group
B was treated with acupuncture based on traditional Chinese diagnosis,
while Group C received psycho-drugs. The efficacy of Asian Traditional
Medicine was demonstrated in the treatment of this pathology, with results
similar to those achieved with allopathic medicine.
Acupuncture Vs. Drugs In Treating Anxiety.
Rigoberto Hermida Acosta, MD, MS in Natural and Tradicional Medicine. Cienfuegos School of Medical Sciences.
ABSTRACT: A study was conducted in the Cienfuegos Natural and Traditional Medicine Clinic to assess the efficacy of acupuncture vs. drugs on patients with a diagnosis of Anxiety Syndrome in the period between August 1998 and August 1999.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established, and two groups of 60 patients were formed at random. One group was treated with acupuncture while the other received anxiolytics
Pre-selected indicators were assessed in
each group: age, sex, main problem causing the syndrome, and undesirable
reactions. Patient evolution was evaluated by means of the I.D.A.R.E
Test once treatment had concluded. A treatment cost evaluation was
also made for each method. Acupuncture was shown to be more effective
psycho-drugs. A second conclusion was that family and work problems
were the most frequent cause of the anxiety syndrome in the patients
involved in the study. It was also found that the most common symptoms
were epigastric sensations, followed by insomnia. More undesirable
reactions were found in the group treated with drugs.
The Auricular Microsystem And Chronic Lumbar Pain.
Sonia Portuondo Peña, MD, 10 de Octubre Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital, Pain Clinic, Havana.
ABSTRACT: Given the well-known
effectiveness and low cost of acupuncture techniques in treating chronic
lumbar pain, and considering the high frequency of this affliction,
a clinical test was carried out comparing results of treatment by somatic
acupuncture with those by auricular-therapy with Argemosn Mexicana seeds.
The study included 60 adult patients of both sexes who suffered from
chronic lumbar pain. They were randomly split in two groups, and each
group received one of the two types of treatment for three weeks. Prompt
improvement was found with both treatments: pain intensity was reduced
to less than 40% of its initial value after the first week of treatment,
to less than 20% after two weeks, and to below 6% after the three weeks.
In comparing the changes of pain values between the two types of treatment,
it was noted that the medium values diminished following very similar
patterns. A multitude of various analyses of repeated observations
confirms the significance of clinical improvement and the absence of
differences between the two groups. Only one fifth of patients indicated
some degree of pain after treatment with either type of acupuncture.
Age, sex, racial characteristics, and evolution time did not influence
the effectiveness of either treatment. The easy use of the auricular
system, in addition to the advantage of avoiding puncture, convinces
us to this system over somatic acupuncture.
Acupuncture Analgesia In Dental Extractions.
Sobeida Obret Laborde, MD, 10 de Octubre Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital, Pain Clinic.ABSTRACT: A study was conducted
to determine the efficacy of acupuncture in 100 patients that were seen
for dental extractions in the dental service of the Dr. Luis Diaz Soto
Institute of Military Medicine between January and April, 1997. 50%
of the patients were treated with acupuncture analgesia, and the other
50% (control group) received local anaesthesia with Xilestesin 2%.
Informed consent of patients was required. Patients of both sexes, between
15 and 80 years old, participated. Excluded from this study were pregnant
women, psychiatric and epileptic patients, as well as cancer patients
and those allergic to local anaesthesia. Consideration was made of
duration time of the extraction, post-extraction infection (alveolitis)
and any other adverse reactions. The statistical method of Frequency
List with Square Chi for contingency tables was used. Three categories
were used to classify results: Good, for patients who did not report
pain during the extraction; Fair, for patients who indicated some discomfort;
and Poor, for those patients whose extraction was not possible with
acupuncture, and needed local anaesthesia instead. The latter were
considered failures for this study. Results showed that male patients
outnumbered females, while the most common age group was that of 20-25
years, reflecting the military origin of the sample. The average duration
of the dental extractions was 25 minutes, which matches the reviewed
literature. No other pathologies were present. The efficacy of this
treatment was termed good, since, in 74% of cases, it was used to carry
out the extraction; and in 26% of cases, other local anesthetics were
required. No adverse reaction was reported in the patients treated with
acupuncture analgesia.
Iridic Findings In Gastrodeodenal Peptic Disease.
Manuel J. Lago Rodríguez, MD, Josvany R. Sánchez Curbelo, MD, Dr. Luis Diaz Soto Higher Institute of Military Medicine.
ABSTRACT: Iridodiagnosis is a diagnostic method of Natural and Traditional Medicine that is based on the effects caused in the iris by human diseases. A study was made, in the period between January 4th, 1999 and Abril 28th, 2000 at the Dr Luis Diaz Soto Higher Institute of Military Medicine to describe the signs of the iris that are related to gastrodeudenal peptic disease. The total sample included 103 patients who suffered from gastrodeudenal peptic disease (gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastroduodenal ulcer, gastroduodenitis, esophagitis, and bulbitis). There was a predominance of crypts and lagoons as iridic signs of higher frequency in these cases, with 96.26% and 87.28% respectively in the crypt-lagoon relationship. Nervous rings were also found in 63.10% of the sample, while 7.76% of the patients showed signs from a distance. There was a predominance of male patients in these entities, with 61.16%. The main toxic habit was drinking coffee in 86.40% of the sample. The prevailing iris constitution was hematogenic, in 70.87% of the sample, while regular density was present in 66.99% of the total. It was concluded that iridodiagnosis allows us to obtain information on the probability of suffering from gastrodeudenal peptic disease.