Essential Inquiries for Your Child’s Initial Cardiology Consultation

When your child's pediatrician suggests a visit to a cardiologist, it can evoke worry and apprehension. Any medical appointment can be daunting, but when it involves such a vital organ, the anxiety can intensify.

Preparation for the Appointment

Dr. Paul F. Kantor, Chief of Cardiology at the Heart Institute at CHLA, emphasizes the importance of specialized pediatric cardiac centers in providing thorough diagnostic testing and prompt results within a visit or two.

Research and Preparation

Prior to the appointment, gather your child's complete family medical history and any relevant test results from previous medical visits. Ensure your pediatric cardiologist is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. Additionally, prepare a list of questions to ask during the consultation to ensure clarity and understanding.

Understanding the Heart Condition

Dr. Kantor highlights various heart problems that children may encounter, such as heart murmurs, congenital heart defects, heart muscle disorders, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Understanding the specific condition is crucial in monitoring for risks and symptoms.

Exploring the Cause

While genetics can contribute to heart conditions, the exact cause is often unknown. Factors like infections, toxins, and lifestyle choices like diet, smoking, and lack of exercise can play a role. Discussing potential causes with the cardiologist can provide insights for preventive measures.

Treatment Possibilities

Your cardiologist will recommend suitable treatment options for your child's condition. Inquire about the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. While most cases may not require surgery, understanding surgical interventions, modern treatments, and associated technologies is essential.

Promoting Heart Health

Dr. Kantor underscores the significance of instilling healthy habits in children and parents alike. Emphasize a heart-healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and limiting screen time. Consult with your cardiologist on integrating these habits into your daily routine for enhanced heart health.

By addressing these essential questions and following the guidance of your pediatric cardiologist, you can ensure optimal care and support for your child's heart health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which types of treatment should not be considered holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is a way to heal that examines the whole person instead of just the symptoms. It aids in the recovery of illness by promoting good health and preventing future ones.

Holistic medicine uses natural remedies, such as herbs, homeopathy and acupuncture, instead of surgery and drugs.

Holistic medicine includes lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, massage, and bodywork techniques.

Holistic medicine can also be called integrative medicine. It integrates all aspects that a patient needs to achieve a comprehensive care plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention, early detection and healthy living.

Holistic doctors believe in the possibility of multiple causes. They look at the whole picture and consider genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and personal factors.

Holistic practitioners focus more on the mind, emotions, and spirit than on the body alone.

Holistic physicians consult with their patients to help them determine the best option for them.

What are the 5 domains in integrative medicine?

Integrative medicine encompasses five domains: mind-body; nutrition; social determinants; lifestyle and prevention. These five areas address all aspects of health care, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental well-being.

Integrative medicine offers a comprehensive approach for addressing your overall health, well-being, and treatment of diseases. It includes conventional medical treatments and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage therapy, herbal medicine, chiropractic care, nutritional counseling, and biofeedback.

What is the alternative to holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine examines the whole person and all its aspects. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.

Doctors who practice holistic medicine believe that prevention is better than cure. To achieve optimal wellness, holistic medicine doctors work closely alongside their patients.

They look for the root causes of disease to prevent them from returning. Holistic physicians consider the entire body and not merely the physical organs. They sometimes refer to “the whole body” as the entirety of their being.

It means they treat the body holistically and look beyond the skin. The doctor may suggest changes to diet, lifestyle, and exercise. He may also suggest meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or other forms of alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine is important.

Alternative medicines are very popular because they're often cheaper and better for you than traditional treatments. Patients have sometimes died after receiving these treatments. This could be due to allergic reactions or side effects. There are also alternatives that may be more effective.

Alternative medicines can also be dangerous if you don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. Vitamin supplements, for example, are not regulated like pharmaceuticals. It is easy to overdose on vitamins. Other remedies, however, can be toxic.

What are the strengths of holistic medicine compared to conventional medicine?

Many cultures and religions around the globe have been using holistic medicine for thousands of year. They are based on ancient knowledge, experience, and were created.

These medicines can be used safely, effectively, naturally, and are affordable. These side effects are far less severe than those from pharmaceutical drugs.

They also help you achieve better health and wellness.

They can protect you from disease and improve your overall wellbeing.

They could even be used to treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and depression.

There are hundreds of traditional medicines in the world. Each has its own benefits.

According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people rely on traditional treatments for injury or illness.

According to some reports, about half a million people depend on traditional herbal remedies for their primary healthcare.

The global market for complementary therapies is estimated to reach $22.2 billion by 2020.

People are increasingly turning towards alternative medical methods to avoid adverse side effects.

Complementary therapies are often used when other options fail to work. They may also try them before resorting to surgery or medication.

There are many good reasons to choose complementary therapies.

To improve the quality and quantity of your life
To reduce stress levels
For relaxation
To relieve pain
To enhance immunity
Support for those with serious illnesses
To boost energy
To control weight
To maintain good nutrition
To improve sleep patterns
To deal avec chronic conditions

Why is holistic medicine so much better?

Holistic health care treats the whole person instead of just specific symptoms. This involves looking at how someone feels about their body, their diet, where they live, and how much stress they have.

Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. While it sounds simple, it can be very challenging to implement in practice because doctors often focus on the patient's physical health.

Statistics

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)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (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 main 4 categories of complementary and/or alternative medicine?

There are four major types of CAM: mind-body medicine (natural products), manipulative therapies (energy healing), and manipulative therapies (natural products). Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products include herbs vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative treatments include physical manipulations, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic treatment. Praying and visualization are two of the methods used to heal energy.

CAM can be used to describe a range of alternative health practices, which are not part of the traditional Western medical model. 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 practitioners may also prescribe medication and perform diagnostic testing (e.g. blood tests). Others do both.

Each category has many subcategories in addition to the four main categories. Mind-body medicine includes relaxation techniques, mindfulness training and guided imagery. It also includes self-hypnosis, meditation, qigong and Tai chi. Natural products include nutritional supplements, botanical remedies, homeopathic remedies and essential oils. Manipulative therapies can include manual, movement and traction as well as electrotherapies, cupping and stretching. Soft tissue mobilization, trigger point therapy (or orthopedics), myofascial releases, trigger points therapy, neurostimulation, and trigger point therapy are some examples. Spiritual healing can be done through prayer or faith healing.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases may be treated with CAM. If used appropriately, CAM can complement conventional treatment options.

There are many good reasons to use CAM.

To improve their overall health.
To manage a special condition.
To reduce pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Some people prefer CAM over conventional medicine because they feel it provides more control over the health of their bodies. Some may feel it has less side effects. Some people choose CAM to not take prescription drugs. Others still prefer not take prescription drugs if they are possible. Others seek out CAM after having bad experiences with traditional medicine.

Some people who use CAM claim they want to be confident about what they're doing before trying out new techniques. Many CAM users are concerned about the safety and effectiveness. Others rely on the word of mouth among family and friends.

Although CAM can be viewed negatively by society in general, most users feel positive about it. People who use CAM tend to be healthier and happier than those who don't. This holds true regardless your age, gender or race.

A large majority of Americans practice some form or another of complementary and alternative medicines. Nearly 95% of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine at least once in their lifetime. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health(NCCIH), there were approximately 40 million visits to CAM providers between 2010 and 2010.

According to the NCCIH estimate, 10% of the U.S. Population uses chiropractors.

The American Medical Association renewed its support for integrative medicines in 2013. It acknowledged that integrative medicine should be integrated into the clinical practice of physicians to best meet the needs and expectations of patients.

The Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report in 2007 entitled “Relaxing Contraints: Improving access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” It concluded that there is no credible evidence that any particular CAM intervention is effective in treating or preventing cancer.

CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. The 2008 number of CAM practitioners increased 8 percent compared with 2007.

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

CAM therapies include natural products as well mind-body practices, manipulative technologies, energy healing methods, exercise, diet supplements and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies can be used for pain relief, but many have other benefits such as improved mood, reduced stress and increased immunity.

For example, acupuncture can help relieve chronic back pain, reduce anxiety and depression, improve immune function, promote weight loss and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for example, was developed 5,000 years ago. It has been used in China since ancient times.

TCM has remained an important component in health care even though it was not until the middle of 1800s that Western science became popular.

TCM treatment is now used by over 70% of American citizens.

Yoga is another popular CAM treatment. Yoga originated in India around 5000 B.C. Yoga is now widely accepted worldwide.

Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can be used to reduce stress, improve flexibility, increase strength and help with blood pressure.

Although there isn't much scientific research on yoga, it appears that it has positive effects on sleep33. Yoga may be beneficial for people with insomnia.

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

One of the most common types of CAM used today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are made up of herbs, spices flowers, seeds fruits, nuts, bark, leaves and roots.

These drugs are frequently considered safer than pharmaceutical drugs and are popularly used 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 the American Cancer Society, 45% of adults diagnosed with cancer said they used alternative medicine during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health has estimated that 60% of patients with breast cancer use CAM. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that around 50% of all cancer survivors reported using CAM.

According to a recent survey, 51% reported that they used at least one type (CAM) of CAM.

However, only 8.8% of them discussed it with their physicians.

This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.

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By: Olivia Salzwedel
Title: Essential Inquiries for Your Child's Initial Cardiology Consultation
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/news-item/4-essential-questions-to-ask-at-your-childs-first-cardiology-visit/
Published Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:36:16 +0000