Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes PDF

Preview

Summary

Professor Couch...

Description

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes For our purposes, medicine is defined as a substance that aids in, or is the practice of, maintaining health by diagnosing, treating, and/or preventing disease.

Elizabeth Blackwell First woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. When I became a doctor, most medical practitioners weren’t washing their hands between patients or even cleaning their equipment. It’s true, but as I learned more about germs, I became a big advocate for sanitation and soap. It’s one small way medicine has changed over the years. Elizabeth Blackwell (February 3, 1821 – May 31, 1910) was a British physician, notable as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, and the first woman on the Medical Register of the General Medical Council.[1] Blackwell played an important role in both the United States and the United Kingdom as a social and moral reformer, and pioneered in promoting education for women in medicine. Her contributions remain celebrated with the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal, awarded annually to a woman who has made significant contribution to the promotion of women in medicine.[1] Blackwell was initially uninterested in a career in medicine especially after her schoolteacher brought in a bull's eye to use as a teaching tool.[1] Therefore, she became a schoolteacher in order to support her family. This occupation was seen as suitable for women during the 1800s, however, she soon found it unsuitable for her. Blackwell's interest in medicine was sparked after a friend fell ill and remarked that, had a female doctor cared for her, she might not have suffered so much. [1] Blackwell began applying to medical schools, and immediately began to endure the prejudice against her gender that would persist throughout her career. She was rejected from each medical school she applied to, except Geneva Medical College, in which the male students voted on Blackwell's acceptance. [2] In 1847, Blackwell became the first woman to attend medical school in the United States. [1] Blackwell's inaugural thesis on typhoid fever, published in 1849 the Buffalo Medical Journal, shortly after she graduated,[3] was the first medical article published by a female student from the United States. It portrayed a strong sense of empathy and sensitivity to human suffering, as well as strong advocacy for economic and social justice.[3] This perspective was deemed by the medical community as ”feminine”.[3] Blackwell also founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children with her sister Emily in 1857, and began giving lectures to female audiences on the importance of educating girls.[4] She also played a significant role during the American Civil War organizing nurses. (Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Blackwell ) 

Germ Theory: Thanks to work by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch, we now know that many illnesses are caused by bacterial infection(s). The practical application of this theory has led to some simple, but vitally important medicinal practices. We now wash our hands, sanitize equipment, and quarantine contagious individuals. Many millions of lives have been saved because of the advances in sanitation.



Vaccines: Vaccines are substances that stimulate immunity for a given disease without transmitting it. Edward Jenner noticed that dairy farmers exposed to cowpox were less likely to contract smallpox. He is often credited with being the father of immunology and creating the

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes first vaccine. Jenner intentionally exposed patients to cowpox to see if it would immunize them against smallpox- thankfully, it worked. Smallpox was once one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity. It has now been eradicated across the globe—due to vaccines. (Here’s a link for more info. https://www.who.int/csr/disease/smallpox/en/) 

Antibiotics: An antibiotic is a drug used to treat bacterial infections. Paul Ehrlich is credited with creating the first antibiotic that could kill harmful bacteria without also harming the patient. Before the discovery of antibiotics, treatments were frequently based on folklore and were not always successful in treating illness. Additionally, infections and complications following surgery were frequent and often deadly. Today antibiotics are easily available, effective, and safe to use. Furthermore, routine surgeries rarely result in infection due to the success of antibiotics. Penicillin, one type of antibiotic, has saved over 200 million people worldwide since its discovery.



Genetic Research: Advances in DNA research has shown that genes can frequently be the cause of illness. Over times scientists have learned that some illnesses can be passed on form parent to child. There was once no treatment or cure for many genetic conditions, but through gene therapy many people can manage symptoms or treat genetic conditions entirely. Gene therapy works by transplanting ‘normal,’ or unaffected, genes into cells that carry mutated genes. These newly inserted genes then work in place of the mutated genes to keep the body running smoothly. Gene therapy treatments have improved the quality of life for millions of people.

In the United States, medicine is often split into two categories: FDA approved (“modern medicine”) and CAM (“complementary and alternative medicine”). The FDA process is really science in action. It allows scientists to accurately test the effects, benefits, and possible side effects of different medicines.

Click here to view the FDA drug approval process and answer this question. Match the clinical study phase to its process. Phase 1: Safety- To determine side effects and how it is metabolized/excreted. Phase 2: Effectiveness- to determine if the drug works in people who have the disease/condition the drug intends to treat. Phase 3: Safety/Effectiveness with different populations, different doses, and in combination with the other drugs. Phase 4: Post-Marketing monitoring to detect serious unexpected adverse events and take action when needed.

Explore the following FDA and CAM examples to see the range of supporting evidence. 1. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO)—an FDA approved medication for the treatment of acne. It has a bactericidal effect on the strain of bacteria known to be associated with acne. BPO is the first organic peroxide to be intentionally synthesized. 2. Vincristine (periwinkle alkaloid)—Vincristine may be more recognized by the brand name, Oncovin. It is an FDA approved chemotherapy medication. It is prescribed in the treatment of various cancers. The chemical prevents proper cell mitosis resulting in cell

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes

death (apoptosis). Vincristine is created through the semi-synthesis coupling of indole alkaloids vindoline and catharanthine in the vinca plant. 3. Acetylsalicylic acid (AKA Aspirin)—an FDA approved medication for the treatment of inflammation. This chemical salicylic acid (part of Aspirin) naturally occurs in the bark and leaves of willow trees. It was used as early as 400 BC to make tea in the treatment of headaches. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not approved for the treatment of heart health. a. {More info.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRhkDN2WjzI&feature=youtu.be}

4. Acupuncture—an alternative form of treatment that utilizes the insertion of needles into the body to relieve pain. It is not an FDA approved procedure. Acupuncture is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. IT is primarily used in the treatment of pain relief; however, acupuncturists claim that it can help with a variety of ailments. There is some research into this practice, predominately related to pain. 5. Homeopathy—an alternative form of treatment that is not FDA approved. The method of homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the 1800’s. Homeopathy is based on three ideas (or “laws”). These “laws” are not scientific in nature, nor are they supported by scientific research. a. Law of Similars: the thought that what could cause a healthy person to become ill would have healing effects on someone who already exhibited the same symptoms. b. Law of Infinitesmals: the thought that the more dilute a substance is, the more potent that substance will be. c. Law of Cure: the thought that each person has an individual cure, that what can cure the headache in one person will not necessarily work for another person. Take a moment to look up a medicine. You could look up a common drug like Tamiflu, Bacitracin, or one you or a family member take.

Click on the link below to search the product: FDA Approved Drug Products 

Appeal to tradition: Appeal to tradition (also known as argumentum ad antiquitatem, [1] appeal to antiquity, or appeal to common practice) is an argument in which a thesis is deemed correct on the basis that it is correlated with some past or present tradition. The appeal takes the form of "this is right because we've always done it this way." [2] (Same: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_tradition )



Epidemiological (epidemiology): Noun. the branch of medicine dealing with the incidence and prevalence of disease in large populations and with detection of the source and cause of epidemics of infectious disease. 

An epidemiological study may show a correlation between a substance and health, but no experiments are actually conducted. = The difference between an epidemiological study and experimentation.

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes



Epidemiological studies can be informative, but they do not allow scientists to isolate variables. When possible, we conduct experimental studies.



Scientists that use epidemiological data study information that already exists. A scientist that sets out to change a given variable (holding all others constant) and measure an outcome is conducting an experimental investigation.

1. A researcher wants to assess a potential link between a pesticide and the frequency of cancer in people exposed to the pesticide. The researcher is using data only from people who were exposed to the pesticide (possibly while working) and comparing the information to a data set based on public medical records. What type of study is being conducted? Epidemiological. 2. A researcher is studying the effects of a new drug on mice. The researcher is studying a potential new medicine in the treatment of osteoporosis. She gives one group of mice the dose of medication and measures their bone density over 6 months. She also has a group of mice that did not receive treatment. She measures the bone density of this group for six months too. What type of study is being conducted? Experimental. 3. A researcher thinks there might be a link between receiving flu vaccines at a young age and childhood obesity. He is unsure of which type of research to conduct. Should he select children for an experimental, placebo, and control groups? Should he get information from medical data banks? Can you help him decide which type of study to conduct? Epidemiological.

While we prefer to use experimentation when possible, it isn’t always an option. Epidemiological studies can be used as a starting point for future research, when we should not ethically conduct an experiment, and/or when we would like to view changes in a large population over time.

  



 

Independent Variable: the treatment or factor that is being manipulated by the researchers. It can also be time (e.g. minutes, year) Dependent Variable: the factor that is measured and is hypothetically responding to the independent variable. Confounding Variable: Factors that affect the results in a study. A factor that correlates with the independent or dependent variables and could skew the interpretation of the results. Placebo Affect: occurs when a subject experiences an improvement in their conditions after taking a placebo. The improvement is attributes to the participants belief in the treatment and not the treatment itself. Single Blind Study: a study where the researchers do not know who (or what) is receiving treatment. Double Blind Study: a study where neither the researchers nor the participants know who is receiving the treatment.

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes When it comes to experimental studies, there are a few things scientists need to know. First, we need to identify our independent and dependent variables.

 

Independent Variable: the variable being tested. Researchers running the experiment manipulate the independent variable in some way. Dependent Variable: responds or reacts to the independent variable. Often measured or recorded by the people conducting the experiment.

The independent and dependent variables are recorded in an X and Y plot, like this one.

Cookies: I hypothesize that the amount of baking soda affects the density (fluffiness) of my cookies. I can manipulate the amount of baking soda, so this is our independent variable (X axis). We hypothesize that cookie density is affected by how much baking soda we add. This makes density our dependent variable (Y axis). The x axis is the horizontal axis. It represents the independent variable or the manipulated variable. The y axis is the vertical axis. It represents the dependent variable or the responding variable.

But the independent and dependent variables aren’t the only thing we need to consider. Not too complex, but we do need to worry about confounding variables. 

Confounding Variables: A confounding variable is any outside influence, not controlled for in an experiment, that can potentially influence your results.

One major confounding variable in the science of medicine is the placebo effect.  Placebo Effect: occurs when a subject experiences an improvement in their conditions after taking a placebo. The improvement is attributes to the participants belief in the treatment and not the treatment itself.

Click here to find out more about the placebo effect. Sometimes researchers are “blinded” for a study. They conduct the experiment without knowing which group contains a given treatment. This keeps them from accidentally biasing the results. This is called a single-blind study.

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes

Watch this video to learn more about why “blinding” someone is important for a study. Ideally an experiment is done as a double-blind study where the researcher and participants are unaware of the groups they are assigned (experimental, control, placebo). Blinding the researcher is important in ensuring honesty in the experiment. Sometimes the researcher is performing an experiment for financial gain, or they have a hypothesis they think is more correct than the others. If they know which participants are in the experimental group, they might evaluate the data differently from the other groups. At times it could be impossible to blind someone for a study. Let’s say I’m researching the interactions between two people. It would be impossible for me to observe their interactions and be blinded at the same time. 

Primary Literature: Primary literature is a direct account of an experiment and its results.

All Natural: How do you know it actually works? Did someone test it in an experiment? And, there are many natural compounds that are highly toxic or just plain ineffective. Natural does not mean safe. Many advertisers use particular tactics and phrases to sell supplements that make people enticed to purchase them. These phrases can prevent people from thinking critically and stop people from taking a step back to evaluate if the supplement actually works.

Explore the following methods used for selling “health supplements” that dissuade people from critical thinking. 





Scarcity: Products often claim to have a limited supply, which drives up the cost. So, we are tricked into thinking that if it is rare and expensive, then it must really work. Advertisers may use phrases like, “Get it while supplies last!” Self-Generated Persuasion: Sometimes a company will offer you a discount on the product that you are buying if you also become a distributor. Also, if you are able to recruit more distributors, then you will receive a portion of the sales. This sounds like a good idea on the surface, so an individual might not research the product as thoroughly because they are profiting from it. Natural is Best: Many products claim to be All Natural. This makes us think that it must be safe and better for you than other medicines. However, most toxins are also natural and potentially deadly. For example, the Castor bean is used to produce Ricin, one of the most deadly poisons.

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes







Using Science-Sounding Words: Advertisers sometimes used the phrases “scientifically proven” or “scientifically tested.” This makes us think that it is a product that can be trusted. However, this is just a SLOGAN. It does not mean that the product was actually tested in a controlled experimental design. To determine if a product is actually scientifically tested, look up the product in primary literature. Perfect Ideal (Phantom): Some advertisers will show a before and after image to a client that shows a drastic transformation into a perfect ideal state. Whether is it body image or giving up a habit like smoking, this tactic convinces consumers that all they need is this one product to change their lives. Bandwagon: This method of advertising is designed to make the consumer think that the majority opinion is correct. However, just because a large amount of people think something is true or works, doesn’t necessarily mean that it does. The advertiser may use phrases like, “Everyone is doing it!” or “Don’t be the last one!” or “Over 10,000 sold!”

Sure, maybe some of this stuff is fake, but what’s the harm in it really? I’m not hurting anyone if I’m interpreting health claims my own way. It’s my body, isn’t it? I hear you - but keep in mind that most of us do not live in isolation. We interact with many people everyday. Our friends and loved ones may value our opinions or emulate our actions. Some people may be more vulnerable and have no choice but to interact with you. Do you have any babies, elderly, or immunocompromised family members? I just want you to really think through your medical decisions. Your actions could affect your family, your local community, and the larger global community. (WE’RE TALKING ABOUT VACCINES HERE)

Watch this video to learn more about how vaccines have higher level impacts. If you would like to learn more about vaccines, you can read here and here. Watch this video to learn more about how bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics.

What are ramifications of misusing antibiotics? 1. Bacteria can become drug resistant. 2. Treating an illness with the incorrect medicine.

Medicinal Claims Smart Sparrow Notes

In this lesson, you’ve learned about medicine and what it takes for medicine to go through the FDA process. Lesson Goals: You have...  Identified the components of the scientific process as it pertains to medicine.  Determined how to indicate false claims.  Evaluated the significance of medicine at the individual, community, and global scale....