AMA’s Family Medical Guide devotes chapter of book to alternative medicine

It seems to be an indication that even the AMA -- which has long fought against alternative medicine -- can no longer deny the fact that most adults are now using it.

• Complementary and alternative medicine get a whole chapter in the newly published fourth edition of the "American Medical Association's Family Medical Guide" (Wiley, $45).
• As a comprehensive, definitive home medical reference, this book contains more than 1,100 pages of up-to-date information on health and medicine and includes several hundred illustrations and photographs.
• As would be expected, the section on complementary and alternative medicine offers readers a liberal dose of caution, "If you are using an alternative therapy or are considering trying one, tell your medical doctor.
• Using an alternative therapy as a substitute for conventional therapy without receiving an accurate diagnosis from a doctor can be harmful to your health.
• In addition, combining some treatments can be dangerous."
• Defined as "healing approaches or philosophies that are generally not offered by conventional medical institutions or Western medical schools," alternative medicine encompasses such practices as acupuncture, homeopathy and folk medicine.
• Also: herbal remedies and dietary supplements, manipulative therapies (such as chiropractic, reflexology and massage therapy) and mind-body therapies (such as meditation, prayer and yoga) and energy therapies.
• In a specific discussion of alternative therapies for menopause, the authors recognize that many women are looking for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy because of associated health risks.
• Of the various herbal supplements used to relieve menopausal symptoms, black cohosh (a traditional native American remedy for snakebite and gynecological symptoms) seems to be the most effective, but there is not enough evidence to demonstrate safety over the long term, according to the book.
• AMA's new "Family Medical Guide" would make a great addition to a home library as a go-to reference for health and medicine.
• It includes descriptions of the 200 most frequently prescribed drugs and a glossary of common medical terms.