Beyond the mainstream
As well as mainstream medicine - for example, provided by the NHSThe National Health Service (NHS) is a free health care system in the UK. - people seek alternative and complementary medicines.
Additionally, some established mainstream medicines are becoming less effective, so research is being done to find new approaches.
Mainstream medicine
In mainstream medicine, treatment and care are provided by a trained doctor or nurse. This usually relies on using scientific methods to diagnose and treat patients. Most treatments and care provided by the NHS would be described as mainstream medicine.
Alternative and complementary medicines
Alternative and complementary medicines are treatments and methods that are not considered to be mainstream. They include some ideas and methods that are believed to be effective but that lack the evidence base or testing that apply to a mainstream treatment. Following are some examples:
- acupuncture - using needles inserted into specific parts of the body to help with pain relief
- yoga - exercises and movements that are believed to help improve mental health and improve strength and flexibility
- hypnotherapy - using relaxation and focusing of thoughts to support people with mental health challenges or help them change their behaviour - for example, to help them stop smoking
- herbal remedies - people take herbs to help with a range of medical issues, including mental health challenges, pain or a low immune systemThe body's defence system against entry of any foreign body, including pathogens and agents such as pollen grains. The role of the immune system is to prevent disease.
Antibiotic resistance
In recent years, a problem has emerged with some bacteriaSingle-celled microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic in humans, animals and plants. Singular is bacterium. becoming resistant to antibioticsSubstances that control the spread of bacteria in the body by killing them or stopping them reproducing. One example bacterium is MRSAMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of bacterium resistant to an important antibiotic. These bacteria are sometimes referred to as superbugs. Some of the potential causes of antibiotic resistance include:
- patients not fully completing a course of antibiotics
- overuse of antibiotics
- use of antibiotics in some farming
In the medical community there is a concern that antibiotic resistance could grow, so more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Many infections have been treated straightforwardly with antibiotics since the discovery of penicillin. However, superbugs could make these infections life threatening again. To deal with this, research is being done to try to discover new antibiotics and ways of dealing with superbugs.