Can mindfulness meditation help patients with glaucoma?

Researchers in India conducted an experiment among glaucoma sufferers and found that those randomly selected to be part of the meditation group had lower eye pressures, a better balance of blood factors that may protect against glaucoma damages and an improved quality of living. The study involved 90 subjects. 45 of them were randomly assigned to meditate under the guidance and supervision of a certified teacher, while the remaining 45 were treated as control subjects. The mindfulness meditation group met daily for an hour starting at 8 am for 21 consecutive days. The sessions also included a 15-minute deep breathing exercise. The eye pressure in the meditation group was lower than 25% (about 4-5mmHg) at the end of 21 days. In contrast, there was no difference in the control group.

The study also assessed biological factors and gene-expression in blood samples taken from participants. The meditation group reduced biological factors that could be harmful to the optic nervous or eye pressure, and thus promote glaucoma. However, the control group did not change. Cortisol was one of these factors, a stress-induced steroid which can increase eye pressure. After meditation, factors that are thought to lower eye pressure and maintain the health of the optic nerve were increased. However, they were not changed in control group. Beta endorphin was one of the positive factors. It is our body’s natural pain-relieving agent and feel-good agent. In this study, surveys of quality of living were also conducted. The survey scores of the patients who meditated improved, while those in the control group did not change.

Overall, it appears that patients with glaucoma should meditate. The study has some limitations. The study is limited in size and requires a longer-term follow-up to determine if the findings are sustained beyond a couple of weeks. It is also necessary to conduct studies with other ethnicities in order to determine if these benefits are applicable across all populations.

Do you recommend meditation?

Meditation has many benefits for physical and mental well-being, not just glaucoma patients. This includes lower blood pressure and less anxiety and depression, as well as improved memory and better sleep.

Meditation seems to be a healthy practice on multiple levels with few downsides. Why not recommend meditation to all patients then? It’s a hard practice to do. It is easy to do on the surface, but many patients find it difficult to sit and focus their mind. I often discuss the benefits of meditation with my patients when they ask for non-traditional treatments to supplement their glaucoma therapy. On follow-up visits, I found that most of these patients had never tried meditation. Some will take supplements, which may or may be helpful. But the idea of sitting on their backs for 5 minutes every day is too intimidating for many.

The conclusion of the article is:

Should you meditate if you have glaucoma? More studies are required to confirm whether or not there is a real advantage. However, these preliminary results of a small-scale study are fascinating. Meditation has some benefits, even if it doesn’t directly benefit glaucoma. Why not meditate if you can?

The post Can meditation improve glaucoma patients’ condition? The post Can mindfulness meditation help patients with glaucoma? appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses alternative medicine instead of traditional medicine?

Alternative medicine is used for many reasons.

They would prefer to avoid any surgery or harmful drugs.
They believe that natural remedies work better.
They prefer noninvasive treatments.
They want to spend less.
Natural products make them feel safer.
They desire greater control over their healthcare decisions.
They are ready to take charge of their health.
They want a healthier world.
They desire less stress in their life.
They desire greater control over their doctors and their healthcare plans.
They want their kids to get a better education.
They want healthy food and good nutrition for their family.
They are looking for safe and effective medication.

What are some of the benefits of complementary or alternative medicine?

Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), is a general term that covers medical practices that people use when they feel they don’t get enough from allopathic medicines. These include herbal medicines and mind-body therapies, such as acupuncture or massage therapy, homeopathy (traditional Chinese medicine), chiropractic care, biofeedback and hypnosis. Because they are not part of the standard medical treatment system, CAM practitioners will often recommend alternative therapies. Many CAM treatments also include elements of traditional medicine. Some forms of acupuncture use needles while others use acupressure and moxibustion with heat.

Some CAM therapies are effective in pain relief, stress management and relaxation. They may improve your general well-being as well as reduce fatigue. Some CAM therapies are used to treat specific conditions, including fibromyalgia. Other CAM treatments may be just as enjoyable.

There is no definitive definition of CAM. However, most definitions include at a minimum one of the following:

An holistic view that considers body, mind and environment.
The belief, that mind and body influence and interact
The belief that illness can be caused by an imbalance in the environment or between the individual and his/her environment
It is important to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Combination of Eastern philosophy and Western science
Mind, body, and spirit-integrated treatment methods
Natural products are better than synthetic chemicals
Healing touch
Mindfulness
Meditation
Acupuncture
Yoga
Herbal remedies
Homeopathy
Chiropractic care
Massage therapy
Hypnotherapy
Spiritual healing
Biofeedback
Nutritional counseling
Energy healing

Certain CAM therapies have potential dangers, as well as their potential benefits. If used incorrectly, some therapies can cause severe harm or even death. Other therapies have potential side effects which must be considered against the perceived benefits. If you are considering using any CAM, discuss these issues with your doctor before deciding whether to try them.

What is the distinction between alternative medicine (AM) and complementary medicine (CM)?

Alternative medicine refers only to treatment methods that are not recommended by mainstream doctors but have been proven to provide beneficial results for certain conditions. You can find examples of acupuncture as homeopathy, aromatherapy or reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and even naturopathy. Complementary medicines are therapies that can be used alongside traditional medicine. These include nutritional supplements like vitamins, minerals or herbs, amino acid, enzymes or probiotics.

While both forms of medicine are commonly used, many conventional doctors do not recommend them due to insufficient evidence or safety concerns.

There is not consensus among health professionals regarding the best approach for integrating CAM in patient care.

Many CAM practices are based upon theories that have been around for thousands of years. These therapies have had some clinical success over the past 20-years.

As an example, several studies indicate that acupuncture may relieve pain. Preliminary data also show that acupuncture may help to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Some CAM methods also appear to have potential therapeutic effects on diseases like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Even though there are still gaps in our knowledge about the effectiveness of CAM, most experts agree that it can play a role in treating various ailments.

People are increasingly turning to CAM practitioners to find relief from common ailments.

Despite growing popularity, many remain confused about the definition of “alternative” or complementary medicine.

What does holistic mean?

Holistic is a holistic approach. Holistic means to see the whole picture and not just a part. This can be difficult because we have become accustomed to seeing things in their entirety.

We tend to think in terms of black and white. However, grey comes in a wide range of shades.

So, when working on a project, try to see everything from different angles. It is important to see it from all angles.

Try to understand how it fits together as a whole. How does each of its components interact with one another?

You should also ask yourself why the problem is occurring. Also, consider the impact of any changes that you make.

Statistics

In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

What are the different types of alternative and complementary medicine?

The four main categories of CAM are mind-body medicine, natural products, manipulative therapies, and energy healing. Mind-body medicine includes yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Reiki, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and herbalism. Natural products include herbs and vitamins, minerals as well as dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies can include physical manipulations such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and osteopathic/chiropractic care. Praying and visualization are two of the methods used to heal energy.

CAM is an umbrella term for various health practices outside traditional Western medical models. There are many differences in the scientific support for these practices, including whether they involve drugs and surgery, as well as which conditions they treat. Some CAM doctors also provide diagnostic testing (e.g. Blood tests) and can prescribe medication. Some do both.

There are several subcategories to each category that go beyond the four primary categories. For example, within mind-body medicine, there are relaxation techniques, mindfulness training, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, yoga, qigong, Tai chi, deep breathing exercises, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, biofeedback, and visualization. Natural products include nutritional supplements, botanical remedies, homeopathic remedies and essential oils. Manipulative therapies include manual, movement, traction, electrotherapies, cupping, stretching, soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, orthopedics, and neurostimulation. There are spiritual healing modalities such as prayer and faith healing within energy healing.

Many CAM treatments can be used to treat symptoms and not the cause. Some chronic diseases can be helped by CAM. When used appropriately, CAM could complement traditional treatment options.

There are many different reasons people use the CAM.

To improve their overall well-being.
To manage a condition.
To decrease pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief system.

Some people use CAM to have more control over their own health than traditional medicine. Some people believe that CAM has less side effects. Some choose CAM because they don’t have to take prescription medication. Others still prefer not take prescription drugs if they are possible. Some people seek out CAM to avoid having to repeat the same mistakes they had with traditional medicine.

Some people who use CAM say they want to be sure about what they are doing before trying something new. Many people who use CAM ask questions about its safety and effectiveness. Others rely on friends and family for word of mouth.

Although CAM may be seen as a negative thing in society, most people who use it report positive feelings. People who use CAM are happier and healthier than those who don’t. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.

Nearly all Americans use some kind of complementary and/or alternative medicine. Nearly 95% of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine at least once in their lifetime. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health was able to estimate that around 40 million people visited CAM practitioners in 2010 alone.

The NCCIH estimates that 10% of the U.S. population is treated by chiropractors or massage therapists.

In 2013, the American Medical Association reaffirmed its support for integrative medicine. It stated that doctors should incorporate scientifically validated complementary and alternative medicine into their clinical practice to meet patients’ expectations and needs.

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark study in 2007 titled “Releasing Constraints – Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare” which concluded that “there is no credible evidence of any specific CAM intervention being effective in preventing, treating, and curing cancer.”

Despite this conclusion, CAM continues to grow in popularity. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

A recent study found that almost half of the respondents reported using CAM as part of their primary healthcare regimen.

CAM therapies can include natural products, mind/body practices, manipulative methods, energy healing techniques, exercise, dietary supplementation, and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily to relieve pain, but they also have many other benefits like relaxation, improved mood and better sleep.

Acupuncture can be used to relieve back pain, anxiety, depression, increase immune function, promote weight loss, and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments have roots in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.

TCM, although it gained prominence in the late 1800s, is still an integral part of health care.

Today, it’s estimated that more than 70 percent of people in the United States rely on TCM for treatment.

Yoga is another popular CAM remedy. Yoga was first developed in India around 5000 B.C. Yoga is now an accepted global practice.

Yoga is gaining popularity because of its many benefits, including spiritual, mental and physical.

Yoga can help ease stress, enhance flexibility and increase strength while improving cardiovascular fitness and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Although there is limited scientific research, yoga seems to have positive effects on sleep33 and may be helpful for those suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies like aromatherapy, homeopathy, meditation, and/or homeopathy are also becoming accepted in mainstream medicine.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines may include herbs and spices, flowers, seeds or fruits, bark, leaves or roots, as well stems.

They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to American Cancer Society, 45% adults diagnosed with cancer reported that they used alternative medicine during treatment.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent study 51% of cancer survivors used at least one type CAM.

However, only 8 percent of those individuals had discussed this with their doctors.

Healthcare delivery suffers from a large gap because of the lack of communication between CAM users, conventional medical providers, and traditional medical providers.

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