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There is a present trend towards so-called alternative methods in medicine and dentistry, which is increasing despite the undeniable successes of established "scientific" medicine. The neglect of psychological and psychosomatic aspects of diseases by established medicine since the second half of the last century is identified as one of the major causes of this development.
Results of health studies on children and adolescents show clearly their physical and psychosocial impairments. Stress, social isolation, familial strains, false diet behaviour and above all a lack of activity play a major role as risk factors for the health of children. Closely connected to the last-named risk factor, lack of activity, is the physical performance or fitness of children and adolescents. The findings on physical performance of children and adolescents are still heterogeneous. This situation is primarily due to the difficulties in comparing the data because of the application of different test procedures as well as the different determinations of critical values for "noticeable problems" - thus a clear agreement about what test achievements are good or not good is hardly possible. Despite these methodological difficulties one can note that literature reviews from Bös, Dordel and Gaschler as well as different studies support the assumption that the physical performance of children and adolescents has decreased in the last two decades. From 1975 until 2000 the difference in ability amounts to about 10%, whereas the regression in ability can be seen the plainest in course endurance and flexibility, for both boys and girls. In fact physical performance and physical fitness are basic health resources. Through the fortification of the cardiovascular system, stabilisation of the retaining and motion apparatus and the economization of motion executions, physical fitness is an important protection against metabolic risks, psychosomatic disorders and diseases as well as accidents.
The humoral function of the pineal gland is known to be strongly dependent on environmental lighting. Melatonin, the best characterized of the photo-dependent pineal hormones, has been reported to affect immune responses in mice. It has been hypothesized that the development of some types of psychosomatic and autoimmune diseases could be due to a disturbed release of this hormone. The present investigation was performed in order to evaluate effects of constant darkness (physiological stimulation of pineal melatonin synthesis) and constant light (physiological suppression of pineal melatonin synthesis) on the course of an experimental autoimmune model, the type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 female mice. Mice kept in darkness develop more severe arthritis than those kept in constant light or in a normal dark/light rhythm (12 h light/12 h dark). Levels of anti-type II collagen antibodies were higher in mice kept in darkness, and the spleens of these animals were enlarged. Since castration of female DBA/1 mice enhances the severity of CIA, and since melatonin is known to exert effects on gonadal function, the experiment was repeated using oophorectomized mice. The same difference in arthritis severity between darkness- and light-exposed mice was obtained in this second experiment. We conclude that the exacerbation of arthritis in darkness is due to a darkness-induced change in levels of critical neurohumoral compound(s), that via gonadal independent mechanisms affect the autoimmune response. The exaggerated severity and chronicity of arthritis may be due to higher levels of melatonin in these animals.
The death risk for psychiatric patients has decreased over the last 30 years but still remains higher than that of the general population. The death risk for patients with a diagnosis of neurosis is higher than that for the general population. Previous studies are enlisted to investigate this mortality for socio-economic characteristics, alcohol and drug abuse, psychopathy and accident proneness. Possible psychosomatic aetiology of disease and subsequent death is examined. Psychological theories for premature death are discussed and some recommendations made for future areas of enquiry.
The aging Caucasian skin becomes yellow, dry, wrinkled and inelastic. Deterioration increases its susceptibility to malignant neoplasms, pruritus, and candidal infection. In addition, psychosomatic problems vascular disease, "little strokes," and chronic malnutrition may precipitate or exacerbate skin disorders in the elderly. Treatment with "strong" medications should be taboo because of the fragility of senile skin. The risk of toxic reactions or of allergic sensitization is great. Because healing is retarded in old tissue, time is an indispensable component of successful treatment.
Previous research has shown that interpersonal conflict and depression are cross-sectionally associated with hostility. Our objective was to determine whether hostility is longitudinally predictive of interpersonal distress and depression and to replicate previous research that suggests that hostility is a risk factor for other health behaviors (e.g., smoking and excessive alcohol use) and psychosocial health problems. We use data from the youngest generation of a three-generation, 11-year follow-up study of Mexican Americans, that represent 251 Mexican Americans between the ages of 18 and 42 years. Our indicator of hostility was the irritability subscale from the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. After statistically controlling for marital status, language acculturation, education, age, and sex, irritability was found to predict subsequent heavy drinking, somatic symptoms associated with depression, psychosomatic symptoms, infectious disease, divorce, marital separation, ending a serious nonmarital relationship, not being married at the follow-up, and more negative feelings associated with divorce, marital separation, and ending a serious relationship. Our research supports theory and research suggesting that hostility is predictive of physical symptoms, poor health habits, and interpersonal conflict.
Psychologic assessment is an integral aspect of the comprehensive functional assessment of geriatric patients. Medical areas in which psychologic testing and evaluation can be of significant service in the diagnosis and formulation of treatment plans include psychiatric and neurologic disturbances, psychosomatic disorders, circulatory diseases (especially hypertension), diabetes, chronic pain, sexual dysfunctions, and gastrointestinal problems. In the effort to gain an understanding of the total patient, it is important to clarify the effect of physical condition on a person's psychologic reactions as well as the impact of psychologic states on his/her biologic status. This orientation is particularly important in dealing with elderly patients because the interaction between the physical and the psychologic in this age group is exceedingly strong and significant. Despite the fact that research in the psychology of the aged is of long standing, the attention given by clinical psychologists to the provision of services to geriatric patients has been quite limited until recently. Many psychologic tests have been developed during the past 70 years, but relatively few of them have been standardized for use with the aged. Of late, however, this has been changing. Several tests have been adapted, and some new ones have been organized with the needs and characteristics of the aged in mind. Closer attention has been paid to psychometric principles in the development of the tests, leading to the organization of useful norms and the demonstration of proper levels of reliability and validity. Accordingly, the state of the art of psychologic assessment of the aged is currently rather limited, but the outlook for the near future appears encouraging. In evaluating the condition of a geriatric patient, the clinical psychologist normally generates data through observations, testing, and interviewing. The resulting report covers the following areas: 1) adaptation to the examination and behavioral characteristics during the procedure, 2) cognitive functioning, 3) visual motor coordination and perception of spatial relationships, and 4) personality characteristics and mental health status. Data for the first area are normally derived by the examiner from observations and subjective impressions of the patient's behavior. For each of the other areas the information is obtained through standardized tests. In this discussion, some of the principal assessments that are currently available are reviewed and evaluated for their usefulness with the aged.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyse simultaneously the effect of several risk factors for peptic ulcer. DESIGN: Cohort study where all patients with new or incident peptic ulcers in a well defined population were registered for a seven year period. The follow up started with a comprehensive health survey including a questionnaire on diet, lifestyle, psychological and social conditions, and health. Relative risks, both sex specific and separate, for gastric and duodenal ulcers were estimated from proportional hazard regression analysis. SETTING: A population based survey conducted in the municipality of Tromsø, northern Norway. PARTICIPANTS: In 1980, a total of 21,440 men and women, aged 20 to 54 years and 20 to 49 years respectively, were invited to participate. A total of 14,667 people attended and returned the questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 328 people had their first peptic ulcer in the follow up period. Age, cigarette smoking, first degree relatives with peptic ulcer, and low educational level were shared risk factors for peptic ulcer in both men and women. In men, frequent upper respiratory infections increased the risk of gastric ulcer and drinking a great deal of milk increased the risk of duodenal ulcer. None of the other dietary variables, including coffee and alcohol consumption, contributed significantly to the risk. Use of analgesics was not a risk factor, and none of the psychological indicators analysed carried any significant risk. CONCLUSIONS: Age, inheritance, and cigarette smoking are all important risk factors for peptic ulcer. The increased risk associated with low educational background indicate that social strains, comprising lifestyle and diet habits, are part of the multifactorial aetiology of peptic ulcer. No support was found for the assumption that peptic ulcer disease is a psychosomatic disorder. This study did not support the view that duodenal and gastric ulcers have different aetiologies-rather it showed a similarity in risk patterns.
Microwave Resonance Therapy (MRT) is a novel medical treatment, which represents a synthesis of the ancient Chinese traditional knowledge in medicine (acupuncture) and recent breakthroughs in biophysics. By affecting the appropriate acupuncture points by the generation of high frequency microwaves (52-78 GHz), remarkable clinical results are being achieved in surgery, orthopedic and traumatology, cardiovascular disorders, urology, gynecology, dermatology, gastroenterology, pulmology, upper respiratory tract, cardiology, neurology, and oncology during the last decade--the MRT being contraindicated only in the cases of acute pain in the abdomen demanding an operation, pregnancy, and menstruation cycle. In this paper the quantum-like macroscopic biophysical basis of the MRT and its technical details are elaborated too, offering a new insight in the mechanisms of the assembling gap junction hemichannels upon the internal microwave (MW) electromagnetic field spatio-temporal maximums at the temporary position of the acupuncture system, and, hence, the very biophysical nature of the temporary psychosomatic health or disease. The quantum-like coherent characteristics of the MRT (sharply-resonant sensory response of the disordered organism, extremely low-intensity and low-energy non-thermal biologically efficient MW radiation, and negligible MW energy losses down acupuncture meridians) might be viewed as a consequence of the existence of biological nonlocal selfconsistent macroscopic quantum potentials, which can give rise to nonlinear coherent EM MW long-range maser-like excitations of biological nonlinear absorption medium with the cells as active centers--with acupuncture meridians related to eigenfrequencies and spatio-temporal eigenwaves distributions of every individual biological quantum system. This suggests that a healthy condition might be considered as an absolute minimum (ground state) of the nonlocal selfconsistent macroscopic quantum potential of the organism. Some disorders of an acupuncture system correspond to higher minimums of the (spatio-temporally changeable) potential hypersurface in energy-configuration space, which possibly explains the higher sensory responses of the more excited (more disordered) acupuncture system and the poor MRT sensory response of the healthy acupuncture system being already in the ground state. Such a picture also supports the EM/ionic "optical" ultralowfrequency modulated MW quantum holographic neural network-like function of the acupuncture system (similar to complex-valued oscillatory holographic Hopfield-like neural networks), and its essential relation to consciousness, as strongly suggested from biophysical modeling of altered states of consciousness. Finally, the ionic aspects of the acupuncture system are considered, too, as well as the relation of ultradian (approximately 2-hour) nasal rhythm recognized in Indian swara yoga and circadian (approximately 24-hour) acupuncture rhythm recognized in Chinese traditional medicine, and their significance for maintaining the ionic balance within acupuncture system, as related to overall health.
The counsellor is one member of the para-medical team being used more and more frequently by doctors. His role is allied to, but distinct from the doctor. He is not an authority figure who diagnoses and prescribes, but acts so as to help the patient diagnose the nature of his own dysfunction and assist him to draw on his own resources for growth and change. The methods the counsellor uses vary, but his goal harmonises with the doctor--the removal of disease from the psychosomatic unity of the patient.
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The increase in psychological, psychosomatic and chronic diseases is a challenge to claims managers and health experts in the field of rehabilitation. This change highlights the limitations of a diseases-orientated disability concept and forces insurers to rethink claims management procedures.